Our Club members enthusiastically live the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” both locally and internationally. Recent projects include water well installation at schools in Angola, food packing and providing necessities to the homeless in Chicago, supplying ultrasound equipment and related training to people in Uganda, providing disaster relief supplies to hurricane, typhoon, and other natural disaster survivors, providing winter coats and shoes to low-oncome children, food packing for people in Guatemala and Central America, and supporting local food pantries, literacy efforts and diversity.
NOTICE: Our Noon meetings, the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, are at St. John's Church, Wilmette and Morning meetings, the third Wednesday of each month are at the Wilmette Harbor Club. We also meet in-person on the 1st Tuesday of each month (for Lunch-packing) at 6pm at St. Joseph Church, Wilmette.
We’d love to have you join one of our meetings!
Rotarians Ben Ivory and Frank Candioto present Our Place with a grant for $2250. Our Place provides a supportive environment and programming for teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This is one of many non-profit organizations we support with our fundraising events.
Will McFarland, Director of Philanthropy for Meals on Wheels, Northeastern Illinois, and Erin Carter, Volunteer Coordinator spoke to us about the services their MOW provides. Meals, are prepared in Evanston, delivered 6 days per week, cost around $10 (sliding scale), service clients from Wisconsin border south to Chicago border and from Lake Michigan to far west suburbs. In addition to meals, MOW provides wellness checks on clients and recommends social services when needed. The samples of food they brought were enjoyed by all. MOW is one of the many non-profits our club supports.
Co-president Frank Hussey presented our grant check to Haven Youth and Family Services on October 22. Haven's mission is to empower young people and families by providing services that promote mental health, strengthen well-being, and foster connection through education and outreach, prevention, intervention, and treatment. This is one of many non-profit organizations we support with our fundraising events.
Dick Farkas, Political Science Professor at DePaul University, gave a fascinating talk about the importance of sand in the world. Sand is used in construction materials, electronics, glass and other industrial uses. But not all sand is usable for these purposes; only “angular” sand from beaches can be used; sand from deserts is too “round” even though it is abundant. Dick explained that the sand that is used for industrial purposes is being used up on a worldwide scale. Criminal elements especially in underdeveloped countries have taken over the extracting and exporting of sand. Stricter enforcement and finding alternative materials must be initiated worldwide to avoid an economic and environmental catastrophy.
Several members joined the Wilmette Park District staff to plant a rain garden in Shorewood Park, Wilmette. A Rain Garden will reduce flooding by capturing excess water to keep the park and streets from pooling. It also provides food and shelter for bees, butterflies and birds using native plants. It was a very muddy operation of digging holes and planting species that thrive in water-drenched areas. George Pearce, Ben Ivory, Terry Porter and Debora Morris got muddy and assisted.
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Rotarians attending the September 16 Noon Rotary meeting were treated to a very special presentation by our own member, Sarah Holman. Sarah has co-founded the GraceNote Collective (gracenotecollective.org) a Gospel Choir "representing many faiths, spiritual practices, ages, races, nationalities, sexual orientations and gender identities." She talked about her personal journey with respect to gospel music as well. We hope to attend one of their concerts, possibly on Saturday, October 24!
The September 9 Noon Meeting hosted Sara Jane Abbott, Executive Director of the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce. Throughout the year the Chamber hosts a wide vareity of networking events including Business for Breakfast, Business After Hours, Educational Workshops and Lunch and Learn events. In addition the Chamber publishes the Community Guide which is a wealth of information about the Wilmette and Kenilworth communities and is distributed to over 12,000 households. Ms. Abbott welcomed our suggestions and participation in Chamber activities.
The August 19 Rotary meeting featured Will Beiersdorf, Outreach and Development Program Manager for the BRAVE Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Will is also a member of the Arlington Heights Rotary Club. His service in the Navy after 9/11 gave him unique insights into veterans who are living with the impact of Traumatic Brain Injuries. This led him to his work with BRAVE which also supports First Responders who are dealing with TBI. BRAVE is the Midwest's first program of its kind and works in collaboration with the Wisconsin Institute of Neuroscience, and the Avalon Action Alliance (provides similar services in other parts of the country). BRAVE provides a three week intensive program that includes a thorough evaluation, travel and lodging, food, clinical care and related therapies. Interestingly, 40% of those they serve are first responders (firefighter/paramedics).
The monthly Lunch-packing project on August 4 was well attended. Members from all participating clubs were present, and several brought family members to participate. Over 160 sandwiches were made, then packed in lunch bags for transport to Connections for the Homeless in Evanston the following day. This project continues to be a focus for the Wilmette, Evanston-Lighthouse and Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Clubs.
Whenever a 5th Wednesday occurs in a given month, we host a social meeting called Happy Hour. July 29 was the second Happy Hour of the year. We had good attendance and great weather, so everyone could eat and visit outside on the terrace at the Wilmette Harbor Club. We were recognizing our country’s 250th anniversary, by wearing red, white or blue. Pizza, salad, cookies and beverages of all kinds were provided at no cost. Our next Happy Hour will be on September 30. Guests are welcome.
Glenn Garlick, End Polio Now District Chair for District 6440, will update us on what is happening with the global effort to end polio for good.
Our Motto: Service Above Self
Wilmette, IL 60091
United States of America