Rotary Club Collects Over 100 Winter Hats for Salvation Army

The St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Rotarians exceeded their initial goal through community involvement.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Rotary Club of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor has donated more than 100 warm winter hats to the Salvation Army in Benton Harbor. The club recently started a knitting group and reached out to the community to help make the hats, eventually exceeding their initial goal of 38 hats.

Why it matters

With the Salvation Army shelter at full capacity during the winter months, the donation of over 100 warm hats will help provide much-needed relief and comfort to those in need in the Benton Harbor community.

The details

The Rotary Club started a knitting group and set an initial goal of making 38 hats. However, they were able to get more community members involved, including people outside of the Rotary, to help make the hats. In the end, they were able to collect 108 hats to donate to the Salvation Army.

  • The Rotary Club started the knitting group earlier this month when Southwest Michigan was experiencing a deep freeze.
  • The Rotary held an After Hours event to present the 108 hats to the Salvation Army.

The players

Renee Borah

The president of the Rotary Club of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor.

Salvation Army

The organization that received the 108 warm winter hats donated by the Rotary Club.

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What they’re saying

“When we figured out that it can take a little longer than we thought to make these hats in a short period of time, we asked our friends and we got some people together outside of Rotary to start making some hats too and then we had some generous donations of people went out and bought some really nice, warm hats.”

— Renee Borah, Rotary President (moodyonthemarket.com)

“When I see other people on Facebook or people that I knew, that know how to crochet and I asked them, they didn't hesitate. That's why I love our area. I think anytime anyone reaches out for help, there's always a group of people willing to step up and do it.”

— Renee Borah, Rotary President (moodyonthemarket.com)

What’s next

The Salvation Army will distribute the 108 warm winter hats to those in need at their shelter in Benton Harbor.

The takeaway

This story highlights the generosity and community spirit of the Rotary Club of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, as well as the willingness of local residents to come together and support those in need during the winter months.