The 2023 Seward Rotary Club Service Celebration was held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Seward County Ag Pavilion with a social hour, dinner,  program, live auction, and awards ceremony. All proceeds raised supported local Rotary service projects and Rotary International’s eradication of Polio from the world.

 

The highlight of the event was the presentation of Seward Rotary's two annual awards.  The Service Above Self Award was presented to Dr. Paul and Mrs. JoAnn Hoff of Seward for their leadership and visionary impact as co-founders of Seward's "Meal on Wheels" program.  The Wayne Tanderup Award was presented to Dick Rhodes of Utica for his inspiring contributions to so many after losing his hand in an accident. 

 

Seward Rotary Club has for years recognized residents of Seward County for their significant contributions to our community.  The Service Above Self Award is annually presented to a county resident who exemplifies the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self."  The award recipient is also presented with a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. 

 

The late Wayne Tanderup, a longtime Seward Rotary Club member, was instrumental in building financial support for Rotary International's worldwide polio eradication initiative within Seward Rotary Club and Rotary District 5650 in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.  Tanderup, a polio survivor himself, overcame his own battle with polio to become a successful businessman and active community citizen.  Annually, an award is presented in his honor to a resident of Seward County who has likewise overcome adversity in life. 

 

In order to raise awareness and community appreciation for the honorees, Seward Rotary Club hosted its first Seward Service Celebration in May 2017.  Now an annual event, the Seward Service Celebration also raises financial support for Rotary projects, both locally and internationally.