When Amy Rogers moved back to Western Kentucky after living in Lexington for a couple of decades, she knew she wanted to “dive back into the community.”
One way she’s doing that is through the Hopkinsville Rotary Club. She joined the club a couple of years ago and most nights this week she’s been at the Rotary Auction updating numbers on the bid boards — or any other task that needs an extra hand.
“Any job I’m doing is my favorite job,” she said.
Rogers has also volunteered on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club, Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center and the Pennyroyal Arts Council.
She learned about community service from her parents, Joe and Pat Rogers. Her father, who retired from BellSouth, serves on the Pennyrile Electric Board. Her mother, a retired banker, is a member of the Cadiz Rotary Club.
“I grew up watching my parents do everything,” said Rogers, who graduated from Trigg County High School in 1990. Her 15-year-old daughter is now a student at Trigg County, where she’s an archer.
Rogers is the finance and officer manager for the Hopkinsville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Previously she worked for the Christian County Chamber of Commerce. That’s where she met Rotarian Andrew Wilson, who suggested she consider joining Rotary.
Hopkinsville Rotary has approximately 115 members. Rogers is among a small number of Black members, along with Hopkinsville Community College President Dr. Alissa Young and Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen.
Rogers said she’s inspired by Rotary because the members work to provide scholarships and support for youth programs.
“We walk the walk,” she said.
Auction Tally
The following totals reflect the money raised through the main auction, Rotary Diner and Sweet Shop, and the Hour Club. Through the first three nights, the auction total was down $11,260.74 from the same point last year, when the organization set an all-time fundraising record.
| Monday | $124,159.50 |
| Tuesday | $60,120.50 |
| Wednesday | $78,226.00 |
| Thursday | $52,090.93 |
| Friday | $33,519.50 |
| Grand Total | $348,116.43 |
Rotary Foundation Grants
In 2021, the auction’s fundraising power spurred the creation of the Hopkinsville Rotary Foundation, which makes grants to programs that benefit the community. This week’s distributions have included:
Monday
- $5,000 for educational programs at Jeffers Bend
- $3,500 for special needs swimming lessons and equipment at Hopkinsville YMCA
- $100,000 for an inclusive playground on Pardue Lane
Tuesday
- $5,000 for the Christian County Literacy Council to assist with publishing a book for local children that will be dedicated in memory of Carolyn “Mrs. Pickle” Haddock — a long-time supporter of the Rotary Auction
- $15,000 to the Pennyroyal Arts Council for youth camps and arts programming
Wednesday
- $8,000 to establish EarlyAct clubs at Crofton, South Christian, Indian Hills and Pembroke elementary schools
- $12,000 to Gateway Academy to renew its support of the “Industry All Stars” programming
Thursday
- $5,000 to the Christian County Agri Business Association for the Rotary Impact Agriculture pathway
- 25,000 to the Christian County and Hopkinsville high school bands, to be split equally between the programs, to upgrade musical instruments
Friday
- $5,000 to Men2Be
- $11,000 to Salvation Army for kids camp
If You Go
When: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6-10 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. until the last item is sold Saturday
Where: Memorial Building, 1202 S. Virginia St.
Watch and Listen: On WHOP Radio 98.7 FM or on Hopkinsville Rotary’s website
Bid: Call 270-885-7500
Eat: At the Rotary Diner for lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and dinner 5 to 8 every night
Donate: On the club’s Hour and Goat Club site
Don’t miss: Smoked chicken dinner special on Thursday
This story was updated to reflect final auction totals.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
