Rotary Club of Edina Past President Joe Hayes recently recognized a Rotarian for outstanding service to the club and community. John Buttolph was named “Rotarian of the Year.”Buttolph served as the club’s Director of Community Service Projects, overseeing projects in Edina and adjacent communities benefitting those in need. Ongoing projects for the club include assembling food baskets and care packages at Thanksgiving for those in need, volunteering in the pantry at Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People, providing bell ringers for the Salvation Army and donating Christmas gifts for families. In addition to overseeing those regular projects, during the 2022-2023 Rotary year, Buttolph also served as host to a youth exchange student from the Czech Republic and a liaison from the Rotary Club of Edina to the Lake Street Community Core project. He gave professional pro bono legal advice to one of the Lake Street business owners. He led a hands-on project on Involve MN to prepare homeless relief kits and personally helped raise funds to replace a grill that had been stolen there.
“The dude is on fire with service, and not just doing it, but putting in heart and passion,” said Hayes. “John describes Rotary as a ‘field of opportunities ripe for planting and harvesting.’”
Buttolph received a plaque and pin for his dedicated service during the 2022-2023 Rotary year, which ended June 30.