Douglas Rotary Club

06/04/2026

Douglas Rotary Club met at Douglas First Methodist Church on June 4, 2026 to celebrate Wiregrass Technical College Student of the Month Jermaine Riley as an early childhood program student of distinction and to hear from new Salvation Army Service Center Director Jessie Copcutt.

Mr. Riley was introduced by his instructor Songelyn Smith and joined at the meeting by Adult Education Dean Kelly Peacock. He had previously been honored by Douglas Rotary in 2025 as a top adult learner. He shared an amazing journey with members and guests and is most deserving of two recognitions. He received a framed certificate and check from Rotarian John Day.

Ms. Copcutt was introduced by Rotarian Mark Miller and joined by Salvation Army Assistant Director April Merritt. Ms. Copcutt assumed her leadership role in April 2026, following work as a program manager for Hope for Coffee. After earning her bachelor’s degree in public health, she committed her life to God’s work through community service in Florida and Georgia. She announced that Salvation Army has one or two more openings for their free summer camp in Jasper, GA from June 22-27 for children ages 7-12. She also shared the “Stuff the Bus” school supply collection event is July 9-11 at Walmart in Douglas.

Since the primary source of income is the Salvation Army thrift shop, furniture, clothing and other household donations are always welcome at the store, 110 Gaskin Ave. South. Rotarian and Salvation Army volunteer Frank Paul presented a donation from the Rotary Club to support the Salvation Army mission.

05/31/2026

Douglas Rotary Club is joining with Rotary District 6920 to offer local students between the ages of 15 and 18 an opportunity to study abroad. Applications for the 2027-2028 school year are being accepted beginning August 1, 2026. Also, host families are needed in Georgia for students from other countries. For more information, scan the QR codes below or visit RYESE.org. If you are interested in speaking with a Georgia Rotary representative, call Dana Park at 478-254-2264 or 478-808-5029.

05/30/2026

Douglas Rotary Club President Jim Cottingham and Secretary Mark Miller attended the District 6920 Club Leadership Learning Seminar at Oconee Fall Line Technical College in Dublin, GA on May 30, 2026. There are 58 Rotary Clubs in District 6920 and many had leaders at the meeting led by new District Governor Beverly Trainor.

Rotarians believe in “Service Above Self” and the efforts made by the Douglas Rotary Club in Coffee County are supporting literacy, early childhood education, higher education, food insecurity, and many other causes.

To learn more about Douglas Rotary membership or community efforts, contact Mark Miller at 540-321-8191 or [email protected].

05/27/2026

Douglas Now - Local News & Events

Jessie Copcutt will be the featured speaker at the June 4, 2026 meeting of the Douglas Rotary Club. This week's meeting will be held in the Pennell Room of Douglas First Methodist Church at 311 North Madison Avenue in Douglas at 12 noon. All members, their guests and prospective members are welcome to attend.

Ms. Copcutt is the new director of the The Salvation Army Service Center in Douglas. She is a passionate nonprofit professional dedicated to serving others and strengthening her community. Before joining The Salvation Army, she served as Program Manager at Hope for Coffee, where she helped with hurricane recovery efforts in Coffee County, including repairing over 125 damaged roofs and building Sims Park, a community of nine new homes for survivors. She is originally from Jacksonville FL and has been living in Douglas for a little over a year now, but feels deeply connected to her new community and eagerly wants to help in any way she can.

Douglas Rotary Club members support Salvation Army's mission as bell ringers each Christmas and in other volunteer capacities.

Also, at the first meeting of each month, Douglas Rotary recognizes a Wiregrass Georgia Technical College outstanding student. The student of the month for June is Jermaine Riley. He is an Early Childhood Education student. Joining Jermaine at the June 4 meeting will be his instructor, Songelyn Smith, and Wiregrass Adult Education Dean Kelly Peacock.

05/27/2026

Jessie Copcutt will be the featured speaker at the June 4, 2026 meeting of the Douglas Rotary Club. This week's meeting will be held in the Pennell Room of Douglas First Methodist Church at 311 North Madison Avenue in Douglas at 12 noon. All members, their guests and prospective members are welcome to attend.

Ms. Copcutt is the new director of the The Salvation Army Service Center in Douglas. She is a passionate nonprofit professional dedicated to serving others and strengthening her community. Before joining The Salvation Army, she served as Program Manager at Hope for Coffee, where she helped with hurricane recovery efforts in Coffee County, including repairing over 125 damaged roofs and building Sims Park, a community of nine new homes for survivors. She is originally from Jacksonville FL and has been living in Douglas for a little over a year now, but feels deeply connected to her new community and eagerly wants to help in any way she can.

Douglas Rotary Club members support Salvation Army's mission as bell ringers each Christmas and in other volunteer capacities.

Also, at the first meeting of each month, Douglas Rotary recognizes a Wiregrass Georgia Technical College outstanding student. The student of the month for June is Jermaine Riley. He is an Early Childhood Education student. Joining Jermaine at the June 4 meeting will be his instructor, Songelyn Smith, and Wiregrass Adult Education Dean Kelly Peacock.

05/27/2026

The Douglas Rotary Club will meet with the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce on May 28, 2026. The meeting is set for noon on Thursday, May 28, at the Douglas Golf and Country Club. We hope to see all members there!

05/11/2026

There will be no meeting for the Douglas Rotary Club on May 14, 2026. South Georgia State College will have their graduation on the 14th at 8:30 am with Rotarian and Coffee County Schools Superintendent Morris Leis presenting the commencement speech. Congratulations graduates!

On May 21st, Douglas Rotary Club members will not have a meeting, but on May 28th, Rotarians will join with the Coffee County Chamber of Commerce for a joint meeting at noon at the Douglas Golf and Country Club. We hope to see you there!

05/07/2026

Douglas Rotary Club was honored to recognize Wiregrass Georgia TechnicalCollege Practical Nursing Student Kaylee Adams as the student of the month for May 2026. Miss Adams earned her Licensed Professional Nurse (LPN) credential and was joined at the
recognition ceremony by her mother, father, and grandfather, as well as Wiregrass faculty and staff members Deidta Floyd, Emily Tomlison, Brandy Wilkes, and Will Bostelman. Miss Adams most enjoyed her clinical rotation at an assisted living community and hopes to work in geriatrics.

05/07/2026

Douglas Rotary Club President Dr. James Cottingham moseyed on over to the South Georgia State College Dining Hall on May 7th to lead another great Rotary Club meeting and to celebrate the Rodeo Club under the leadership of local bullrider and former coach David Varnadore. Pictured here are SGSC students and bullriders Ryder Carpenetti and Logan Nolan. They've got David Varnadore surrounded (in a good way) in this photo. Ride, Cowboy, Ride!

In all seriousness, the Rodeo Club is attracting students from all over the U.S. with an interest in professional bullriding, barrel racing, ba****ck riding, and other events. The SGSC Rodeo Club is a member of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.