The Northlake-Mandeville Rotary Club monthly luncheon on May 30 — held on the exact date the club installed its first officers in 1974 — celebrated the organization’s 50th anniversary of “service above self” to the community. 

The event at Beau Chene Country Club brought together 17 past presidents that included John Pleune, the group’s first president. Pleune received the prestigious Paul Harris Award, named for Rotary’s founder.

The luncheon included a video highlighting some of the service projects that the club participated in recent years. The group is planning an anniversary gala on Sept. 6 at Benedict’s Plantation in Mandeville.

“I’m proud to be a part of a group that does so much for the community,” said current public relations officer Renee Seruntine, who has been a member of the organization for a year. “I wanted to volunteer and get involved in the community, and there is no better place to do that than Rotary.”

She said as a veteran and current active member of the Army National Guard, she appreciates the Rotary Club’s dedication to service and the diversity of projects available to members.

The Northlake-Mandeville Rotary club currently supports almost two dozen nonprofit organizations that tackle issues including homelessness, hunger and food insecurity, abuse, autism, foster care, domestic violence, youth programs, literacy, disaster relief, mental health, suicide prevention, and nature and wildlife perseveration. The group also places American flags throughout the community five times throughout the year

Seruntine said she is especially proud of the Rotary Club scholarship program and its contribution to help Mandeville-area high school students. In its 26th year, the scholarship program awarded $51,000 in 2024 to six high school seniors entering college in the fall.

“The scholarship program is a hallmark of our club, and it is still growing from when we started with a single endowment,” said Northlake-Mandeville Rotary Club President Laurie Pennison.

She said club members love having the scholarship recipients return for a meeting to report on their college experiences. “It is so encouraging to see all the accomplishments of these young people,” Pennison said.

Pennison said the club has given special focus in recent years to issues relating to mental health including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Safe Haven, where the club both built a playground and new pavilion, then repaired the pavilion after damage from Hurricane Ida.

Pennison said that members can find an outlet for volunteering whatever their passion. “We truly embody our motto of ‘Service Above Self.’ No matter how you are looking to serve, we can help. Just pick your slot.”

For information about the recent 50th anniversary luncheon or the upcoming gala, mandevillerotary.org