About Our Club

Who We Are

The Rotary Club of Downtown Lock Haven is a small but active service club in Clinton County, Pennsylvania. Chartered on March 13, 2003, the club celebrated its 23rd birthday in March 2026. We belong to Rotary International's District 7360, the regional group of Rotary clubs in our part of the state.

We are known throughout the community for our signature projects including Flags of Honor, Angel Lights, Little Red Schoolhouse Libraries, and our annual scholarship program. Our motto embraces Rotary's "Service Above Self" and "People of Action" principles.

Our members come from all walks of life: The Express newspaper, Woodlands Bank, Diakon/AmeriCorps Seniors, Rachel K Creations, and throughout Clinton County's business and nonprofit community. We share a commitment to improving our community through hands-on service, fundraising, and fellowship.

The Four-Way Test

Of the things we think, say, or do: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

And the Downtown Lock Haven Club has added: Have fun!

Meetings

We meet every Tuesday at 5:30 PM (social time at 5:15) at the Poorman Gallery, 352 E. Water St., Lock Haven, PA. Meetings include a mix of regular club meetings (guest speakers, program updates, fellowship) and work sessions for active projects; to find out what's planned for a particular Tuesday, email us at dlhrotaryclub@gmail.com. In severe weather, Zoom participation is available — email us for the link. Meet our current club officers.

Happy Dollars are voluntary contributions made at meetings that go to a rotating local charity every six months. Recent recipients include the Lock Haven Area Shoe Bank and Haven Cupboard.

Community Impact

During the 2023-24 Rotary year, the club awarded $5,500 in scholarships and contributed approximately $5,000 to other causes including food programs, polio eradication, ShelterBox, and support for Ukrainian families. Organizations we have supported over the years include Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Boxes of Hope, The New Love Center, Haven Cupboard, the Lock Haven Area Shoe Bank, Roads to Peace, Salvation Army, Merit House, Bear Country Christmas Wish, and many more.

Annual Awards

Rotarian of the Year

2024-25: Wendy Stiver. 2023-24: Diahann Claghorn. 2021-22: Marianne Lotfi.

Downtowner of the Year

2024-25: Melissa Dally (Downtown Lock Haven Inc. / Clinton County Economic Partnership).

Paul Harris Fellows

A Paul Harris Fellow award recognizes a gift of $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation — Rotary International's charitable foundation, which is working to eradicate polio, operates Peace Centers around the world, addresses environmental challenges, and funds clean water and sanitation projects worldwide. Each additional $1,000 gift is recognized with a sapphire. Our club's Fellows:

Fellows

• Carmen Banfill
• Janine Bruno
• Bonnie Hannis

Fellows with one or more sapphires

• Jeanne Baker
• Diahann Claghorn
• Wendy Doherty
• Marianne Lotfi

Community Connections

We partner with the Lock Haven Rotary Club (the "noon club") on select initiatives, including the Four-Way Test Speech Contest at Central Mountain High School. The club also collaborates with numerous local nonprofits through the annual People of Action Open House, where we feature local organizations and donate $500 to each.

Press Coverage

The Express (lockhaven.com) covers many of our activities. In February 2026, our Valentine's Day goody tray deliveries to first responders were featured on the front page.