Seward Rotary Club has recognized Dr. Paul and JoAnn Hoff of Seward for their community service with the Club's 2023 "Service Above Self" Award. The Hoffs were among the founders of Seward's "Meals on Wheels" program in 1972 and have been actively involved in its work since then.
Seward Rotary Club presented its “Service Above Self” Award to Dr. Paul and JoAnn Hoff in May for their leadership and vision as the founders of the “Meals On Wheels” program, which delivers hot meals to elderly residents in the community.
The Hoffs founded the program, along with the late Jane and John Jones, in 1972. While meals were originally prepared by Shirley Kotil and then Della Miers in their homes, today they are prepared by Seward’s Pac N Save, with volunteers organizing and delivering the meals every weekday and serving in leadership.
Paul has been a delivery driver and leader for the program for decades, while JoAnn served as treasurer for many years. According to JoAnn, many volunteer delivery drivers have served the program faithfully and are the key to the success of the program.
The Hoffs are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this year and continue to live just outside Seward. Paul served the community for 35 years as a dedicated physician at the Seward Clinic and Memorial Hospital. Both he and JoAnn were involved parents, supporting their children in their children’s school and community activities and ventures. They also supported and volunteered for many efforts and projects in the community over the years and continue to offer advice and insight concerning community endeavors.
In recognition of their leadership and volunteer service through the Meals On Wheels program, the Seward Rotary Club named the Hoffs the 2023 “Service Above Self” honorees. The Club presented each of them with a Paul Harris Fellowship, donating $2,000 to the Rotary International Foundation in their honor.
For more information on the Seward Meals on Wheels program, write to Pam Garrett at Meals On Wheels, PO Box 102, Seward, NE 68434.