Our meeting on January 10 will be a Club Assembly for both morning and noon groups. Although Mariana will not be there (due to travel), Heidi Voorhees, Terry Porter or George Pearce will be conducting the meeings. The primary topic will be a discussion of how members are viewing the merger since the start of the Rotary year on July 1. Members should plan to attend. The evening RAD group discussed this after lunch-packing on Jan 2.
The following members have been elected by unanimous member vote to serve on the Wilmette Rotary (and Foundation) Board for a three-year term starting in Rotary year 2024-2025: Nick Dallas, Frank Cheswick, Irene Paterno.
Our continuing program of Lunch-packing for the Homeless took place on February 6 at St. Joseph Church. Volunteers from all the Wilmette Rotary groups and guests made 160 luncn bags. This is a well-organized event that has been providing monthly lunches since 2021. The lunches are given to Connections for the Homeless for distribution to those in need. The lunches include a sandwich, fruit, chips, condiments, napkins and dessert. All component items are purchased in advance by Brian Bradley and brought to the lower level room at St. Joseph Church. Volunteers put the items in individual lunch bags and make fresh sandwiches for delivery the next day. Members and the public are invited to join this project the frist Tuesday of every month.. The next date is March 5.
A collection of images that have appeared in the Spoke for all of 2023 are featured on our website at wilmetterotary.org I hope you enjoy reveiwing them. There were a number of events for which I did not have photos. Let's try to remember to take photos as events occur in 2024.
The month of January is recognized as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. District 6440, in partnership with Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, is dedicating this day to bring awareness and prevention of this illegal practice. We are hosting a Webinar on January 11, 2024 to learn and talk about this crisis in our community. Click HERE to register (no charge).
Members Martha Sheridan and Suki Fisher have volunteered to serve on our District 6440 Task Force on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This Task Force will implement a Strategic Plan Focus Area on DEI. This group will be the lead to establish a sustained District presence advocating DEI. Our members are also looking into integrating DEI in our club.
Hands-On Service Sub-Committee: John Held has agreed to help form a sub-committee that will focus on finding hands-on service opportunities for our members who want to be more involved and work directly with organizations and clients. Please reach out to John if that is something you want to become more involved with. johnjheld@gmail.com
Diaper Distribution: Had some follow up from Tina Kalil from Bundled Blessings, a diaper bank on the north shore. If anyone is interested in volunteering with them to load and unload diapers or coordinate a diaper drive for Wilmette, contact her at here
Building Peaceful Bridges: If anyone wants to volunteer to help build a team or assist a refugee family with the folks from Building Peaceful Bridges, please let me know and I will put you in contact with Lori or visit their website here
Bienvenidos Gala Event - April 6 at 5pm at Sketchbook Brewing Co. in Skokie for traditional Venezuelan dinner from Evanston restaurant La Cocinita, live music from a teen rock band of newcomer students (as seen on WBEZ!), plus unique raffle prizes and silent auction items as we raise money to support migrant families in easing their transition to our area. LAST DAY TO PURCHASE TICKETS IS SUNDAY, 3/31/24
Register soon because space is limited!Need to tune in from afar? Join us virtually for a reduced ticket price that still makes a difference - and allows you access to the live show and silent auction, plus one raffle ticket!
TEDxWilmette - On April 20, 2024 at Baker Demonstration School, TEDxWilmette will present six speakers with big ideas around the theme The Future Is Now. The pace of change in our world brings what once felt futuristic into the present. From climate to AI, media to healthcare, we face big technological, ethical and social questions, and the answers have implications not only for our shared future but also for our common present. Buy tickets HERE.
Club Information
Welcome!
Our Motto: Service Above Self
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Eva Dean's Bakery & Cafe
1115 Central Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091 United States of America
Our Rotary Clubs meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at 7:30am at the Wilmette Harbor Club (inside Gillson Park) at Noon at St. John's Church, Wilmette and on 1st Tuesday at 6pm at St. Joseph Church. Mailing address: PO Box 111, Wilmette, IL 60091
Ben Wozney, Executive Director and his daughter, Shale Wozney, Jr. Board President, will tell us about The Driven Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals and families with Special Needs and Disabilities. Their mission is to provide accessible vehicles to families with disabled children that grant independence, inclusion, and mobility in their communities." The meeting will be held in the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club located inside of Gillson Park.
This program will be repeated on September 25 at 12 p.m. at St. John's Church, 1235 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette
Richard Koenig will speak to us about HODC, Housing Opportunity Development Corporation. HODC is a community-based nonprofit that makes an affordable home a reality for a diverse group of people who are unable to afford housing in their community. Affordable housing provides hope for individuals and families who are at risk of eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness.
Richard Koenig, PhD, has been Executive Director of Housing Opportunity Development Corporation since 1997. To date Richard has completed over 30 affordable housing developments valued over $150 million. He has a PhD in Community Economic Development and a Masters of Urban Planning from the UIC. Richard previously served as Chair of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County and now serves on the board of Collaborative Community Housing Initiative.
Location: St John's Church, 1235 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette
