SHOUT initiates projects to enhance our community.
Do not go where the path may lead
Go instead where there is no path
And leave a trail ” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
See What We Do
Click below to watch the video “See What We Do”.
The SHOUT organization walks in the steps of Emerson’s suggestion. SHOUT works to go where there is no path. Simply put, SHOUT feels that it can best serve by initiating new paths in the community, useful new paths or projects that otherwise might not see the light of day.
30th Annual Cottage Walk is June 26, 2027
Co-sponsored by SHOUT for South Haven and the Scott Club, the 30th annual Cottage Walk will feature tours of unique cottages, concluding with a tour of the historic Scott Club on Saturday, June 26, 2027. The lineup will be announced in the early Spring.
Event attendees visit the cottages at their leisure from 12-5 p.m. Volunteers at each cottage provide an historical perspective of the site. Tours of the Scott Club will run from 3:30-5 p.m.
Tickets are $20 person. The advanced purchase of tickets is encouraged. Tickets will be on sale beginning in late May during normal business hours at the South Haven Chamber of Commerce, 606 Phillips St., and the South Haven Visitors Bureau, 546 Phoenix St. They will also be sold on the morning of the Cottage Walk at the Farmers Market in downtown Dyckman Park.
Thank You Volunteers!
We are grateful for the many volunteers who over the past three decades have planted and maintained the beautiful flowers on the Dyckman drawbridge during the summer months. A special thanks to Bob Metzen who chairs the endeavor. We also appreciate the partnership we have with City of South Haven staff, notably gardener extraordinaire Ahni Turner. This upcoming holiday season the bridge will again be adorned in garlands and lights.
Commemorative Pavers are Available
New commemorative pavers are being placed at the SHOUT-sponsored outdoor clocks. This has been a decades-long project of SHOUT supporting community projects. People ask us if they can still purchase a paver brick. Yes!! This is a great way to honor family, friends, organizations, memories.
Click here for Brick Paver Order Form
Community Endowment Created to Support Work of SHOUT
Four civic organizations, including SHOUT for South Haven, are being assured a lasting future through endowments recently created by the South Haven Area Community Foundation.
The endowments announced by Jim Marcoux, Executive Director of the Foundation, will benefit SHOUT for South Haven, the South Haven Performance Series, the South Haven Speakers Series and the South Haven Theatre Series.
The idea to create the endowments originated with Robert (Bob) Copping, founder of SHOUT for South Haven and the inspiration behind creating the three Series.
“Generous donors have supported the operational needs of these organizations over the years and that will need to continue,” said Copping. “My hope is that income from these new endowments will allow each Series to continue to enhance their offerings to the community while maintaining affordable admission fees.”
Copping was recently the recipient of the 2025 Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his community advocacy.
The Jane Goldwood Copping Endowment for the South Haven Performance Series specifically honors Bob’s wife whose love of classical music was the inspiration for its founding.
Founded in 2005 and with assets over $7.1 million, the South Haven Area Community Foundation is dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the greater South Haven area by securing its future through endowments. The Foundation in 2025 distributed more than $142,000 to 25 local non-profit organizations.
“The South Haven Area Community Foundation is dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the greater South Haven area for its residents and visitors by securing its future through endowments,” said Marcoux. “For many decades Bob Copping has dedicated his life to making a difference — in his community, his state, his nation, and the world so creating these endowments is so fitting. They are another example of his vision for the future of our community.”
“Our hope is that patrons of these Series will consider legacy gifts in honor of their favorite Series,” said Marcoux. “This can be done through a variety of ways such as a direct donation, a legacy gift or thru estate planning. The Foundation is ready to assist donors in better understanding the various means.”
The Foundation can be reached by calling 269-815-4223 or by email to execdirector@southhavencf.org.
Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award Honors SHOUT Founder
Robert (Bob) Copping has been steadfast in his promotion of the South Haven community over the past several decades.
The motto of SHOUT for South Haven, the organization he founded more than 30 years ago, summarizes the man’s tireless endeavors –- “working to make a great community even better”.
He frequently quotes Ralph Waldo Emerson when talking of the next SHOUT project: “Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path. And leave a trail.”
For many decades Bob Copping has dedicated his life to making a difference — in his community, his state, his nation, and the world. And now he is being recognized with the 2025 Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award and in recognition of his community advocacy he was earlier named one of West Michigan’s Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders by the publication Crain’s Grand Rapids Business and presented the Greater South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce Community Legacy Award. Watch the Bob Copping Tribute Video.
Gathering Place
South Haven celebrated the opening of its new Winter Gathering Place in downtown Dyckman Park in 2024.
To the delight of more than 100 guests, Mayor Annie Brown joined community advocate and SHOUT president Bob Copping in cutting the ribbon at the entrance to the area which features an outdoor fireplace. The area is near the Huron Street pavilion which in the winter features an ice skating rink.
The project was supported by more than 100 donors contributed to the $110,000 project which was also the recipient of a $40,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Fund.
The ribbon cutting was the closing event for the 30th annual Ice Breaker Festival. Those in attendance were treated to hot chocolate courtesy of Cafe Julia.
Bridge Flowers
For over 20 years SHOUT volunteers have been placing flower plantings and Christmas bows and greens on the bridge every spring and winter. Just one of SHOUT’s downtown beautification efforts.
Cottage Walk
One of the summers most popular events. Spend an afternoon visiting five or more homes in the South Haven area. A lovely adventure viewing these most interesting & attractive homes. The proceeds from the Cottage Walk benefit community enhancement projects throughout South Haven.
Clocks
SHOUT’s spearheading and funding of community enhancement projects throughout South Haven have included the donation of two antique-style clocks – One in the park across from City Hall. Another along the River Walk.
Sculpture
As part of its downtown initiative SHOUT has commissioned three sculptures and donated them to the City of South Haven. This little girl sculpture can be found by City Hall, located next to the water garden.
SHOUT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are needed for SHOUT service projects such as our annual Dyckman Bridge flower plantings and the Cottage Walk. If you would like to be notified when projects are scheduled please email us at info@shoutforsouthhaven.org and we’ll gladly add you to our mail list.
Thank You for supporting SHOUT.
THINGS WE DO
- Four Seasons at Dyckman – Fireplace in South Haven’s Downtown Dyckman Park
- Initiated – SHOUT South Haven Theatre Series – (Now a separate non-profit)
- Initiated – SHOUT South Haven Performance Series – (Now a separate non-profit)
- Initiated – SHOUT South Haven Speakers Series – (Now a separate non-profit)
- Drawbridge Flowers – Plant & Maintain each year
- Drawbridge Holiday Greens & Bows – Decorate each year
- SHOUT Cottage Walk – Sponsor Each Year
- Harbor Walk Antique Style Street Clock at Ellen Avery Park – Donated
- Downtown Antique Style Street Clock – Donated
- Initiated – Political Candidates Forums – (Now turned over to AAUW)
- Initiated / Provided Anchor Funding for American Wind Symphony Ship Visit in 2009
- Initiated – Thursday Night Waterfront Concerts – (Later turned over to the City)
- Street Lamp at Monroe Circle Park – Donated
- Antique Style Street Lamps (13) at North and South Beaches – Donated
- Rain Garden at Huron & Kalamazoo Streets Corner – Donated
- Benches at the beaches (26) – Donated
- Dyckman / Drawbridge Historic Marker – Donated
- “Little Girl with Sand Pail” sculpture in front of City Hall – Donated
- “Seagull” sculpture at west side of City Hall – Donated
- Kiosk for Posting Events in front of Chemical Bank – Donated
- Initiated – SHOUT Yearly Events Calendar – (Now turned over to Chamber of Commerce)
- Free Grant Writing Class for non-profits at LMC – Sponsored
- “Summer Breeze” Street Sculpture on Phoenix Street – Donated in 2016
- “The Wilhelm Baum” historic tug boat – Donated to the Michigan Maritime Museum in 2016
- Scenic Footbridge for the new SHOUT City Park – Donated to the City of South Haven in 2017
- Newcome Beach Stairs – Organized tax deductible donations enabling building first stairs.
