Our biggest fundraiser of the year has come to an end and although final numbers are not yet in, to date we have raised $29,500!! This is just $500 short of our goal, and other checks may be coming in. All in all, it was a successful fundraising event that will help us fund a variety of humanitarian and philanthropic causes.
Thanks to all the members and Rotary friends who helped to make the fundraiser a success by purchasing items and/or making personal donations. Special thanks to Jim Waite and Jim Bowman who organized and coordinated the event.
Additionally, "Super Contributors" included George Pearce, Jim Bowman and Jim Waite whose combined contributions from friends, relatives and themselves topped the list of contributions. Next were members whose efforts added at least $1000 each to the fundraiser, Frank Cheswick, Ben Chung, Hank Hufnagel, Frank Hussey, Kent Meyers, Debora Morris, Jim Pockross and Heidi Voorhees. Honorable mention to Brian Bradly and Steve Jambor who each added $900 to the total proceeds.
Raffle winners were drawn at the Holiday Party and included:
Two tickets to Goodman production of "The Color Purple"+ $100 - won by Cary Weinstein
Private Lake Geneva Boat Cruise for 12 - won by Nick Dallas
Many thanks to all of those who went online to our Amazon Wish List and purchased items requested by the Sisters of Fraternite Notre Dame for their homeless clients. Due to the generosity of Rotarians and Friends of Rotary, we were able to deliver to the Sisters over 113 items requested. Items are still trickling in and you can still buy if you want, but so far we have donated 80 sleeping bags, 24 blankets, 100 pairs of socks, 264 hat/gloves combos and 11 cases of deodorant.
We utilized some funds raised during our Hope Walk last May that was set aside for this project to fill in some items that were needed. Some items still appear to be on their way, but most have been delivered. The need is great this winter so I will keep the gift list open through the season for additional purchases. Click GIFTS to purchase.
Our annual Holiday Party last Wednesday was attended by 60 members and guests, and by all accounts, it was a fun and enjoyable evening. Delicious food was provided by Wilmettes's Napolita restaurant, beer, wine and soft drinks were available, and a nice variety of desserts were brought in by members The highlight of the evening was a performance by the New Trier Swing Choir, followed by a Raffle drawing from our Holiday Gift Fundraiser (see story above).
Our Rotary board has unanimously approved the membership application of Karl Behrend. This was announced at the Holiday Party last week and his formal induction will be done on January 22. Karl and his wife, Grace recently moved to Winnetka from New Jersey in August 2024 to be near their two children and grandkids. Karl has a background in finance and manufacturing. He is currently retired and rehabbing his Winnetka home, mostly by himself. Karl has already been active in several of our club's activities and we are pleased to have him as our newest member.
Our next Rotary gathering is a NOON meeting on Wednesday, March 26 at the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club.Then Lunch-packing followed by a club meeting on Tuesday, April 1 at St. Joseph Church at Lake and Ridge, Wilmette. On April 1, we will be joined by members of the Winnetka-Northfield Rotary which has committed to collaborate with us on this project.
Members and guests will be able to park in the Yacht Club parking lot behind the building. There are stairs leading up to the front entrance from the parking lot. There are also 2-3 parking spots in the curved driveway in front of the Yacht Club that can should be used for handicapped parking only.
DO RECYCLE: Paper gift wrap, cardboard boxes, cardboard rolls, and paper greeting cards.
DON’T RECYCLE: Plastic or foil gift wrap, tissue paper, plastic bags, plastic cards, rope or plastic handle gift bags, tree strands, Styrofoam peanuts, packing material, glitter, ribbons, bows and string.
"The Changing Status Quo of Children whose Parents Have Cancer"
ALL presentations will be made on ZOOM, a different topic on the first Monday of each month from 12:00 - 12:30. There is no registration required. Here is the Zoom Link to the presentation. Click MHSeries for more information.
Natural disasters seem to be never ending. Late last month, Shelterbox began providing assistance to over 1.7 million families that have been affected by Severe Tropical Storm Trami which slammed into the Bicol Region of the Philippines in late October. The Storm brought heavy rainfall that led to landslides and heavy flooding. This is similar to what Hurricane Milton did around Asheville, NC in early October, to which Shelterbox has sent a great deal of assistance.
As you consider your year end charitable giving, please consider a donation to Shelterbox to help those people whose lives have been upended by disasters such as Milton and Trami. A $100 donation can provide a Shelter Kit with tarpaulins, tools, and essentials to repair a home. A $50 donation can provide an emergency water filter. Whatever you can give personally, will be gratefully appreciated by these families in need during this holiday season. To donate, click SHELTER.
The January focus for us in Rotary is Vocational Services Month. During this period, clubs highlight the importance of the business and professional life of each Rotarian. Special activities promote the vocational avenue of service.
Monthly Lunch-packing on April 1 - Our monthly service project of preparing lunch bags for Connections for the Homeless is at St. Joseph's Church, Lake and Ridge, Wilmette at 6pm. Enter through the east lower entrance. A Rotary Club meeting follows immediately after the sandwiches are made. 175 lunches were made on March 4. A good turnout included guests Kara and David Kosloskus, and Julie Treumann.
Connections for the Homeless
Our Club partners with Connections for the Homeless in a variety of ways including the monthly sandwich packing, the Hope Walk for the Homeless and some of their summer activities. There are several volunteer opportunities available to help Connections in their important work.
Some examples include: hosting a drive for winter clothing, hosting holiday celebrations, planting vegetables and herbs in community garden, cook and service meals, sort and stock donations. For further information contact Ashli Wade, Associate Director for Development at awade@connect2home.org
Trinity Wilmette 2025 Community Conversations— Welcoming the Stranger - a multi-week series that will explore the complex dynamics of immigration through diverse perspectives. Trinity United Methodist Church at 1024 Lake Avenue in Wilmette. 3:30 p.m. with presentations at 4 p.m. For more information and to register https://trinitywilmette.com/immigration/
Local Elections Now through April 1 - Vote for open positions on the Wilmette Village Board, Avoca School District 37 School Board, and Wilmette Park Board - Early voting has begun and election day is April 1. click here for the Wilmette Voter Guide from the League of Women Voters,
Blood Drives - The Wilmette Fire Department and the Winnetka Fire Department are sponsoring several upcoming blood drives with the goal of collecting 600 units of blood that can help to save 1,800 lives. Vitalant Bloodmobiles will be at various locations. Call 877-258-4825 or visit Vitalant.org for appointment. Use Code ORD0132D
May 2, July 16, November 12 - Wilmette - 1304 lake Avenue
Sept 12 - Winnetka - 428 Green Bay Rd
John Thomson Blood Drive and Memorial - John Thomson was best known as the New Trier HS Band Director for 25 years. He passed away recently and his family has set up a Blood Drive in his memory for March 28 from 9am-3pm at New Trier High School Northfield, Bldg C. For more information visit RedCrossBlood.org Memorial service will be March 29 in Kenilworth.
Wilmette Mental Health Fair - Saturday, April 5 at First Presbyterian Church, 600 9th St., Wilmette; 3pm-4pm. Topic "Navigating the Anxious Generation: How We Can Empower Our Kids". Listen to an expert panel of physicians and educators. Mingle with local mental help agencies and neighbors.
Club Information
Welcome!
Our Motto: Service Above Self
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Sheridan Shores Yacht Club
20 Harbor Drive
Wilmette, IL 60091 United States of America
In 2025, our Rotary Club meets monthly on the 1st Tuesday at 6pm at St Joseph Church, the 2nd and 4th Wednesday at Noon and the 3rd Wednesday at 7:30am at the Sheridan Shores Yacht Club in Gillson Park. Mailing address: PO Box 111, Wilmette, IL 60091
New member, Willam Shehan will tell us about No Salt Sailing: Sailing Adventure Therapy. They create a learning environment for wounded, disabled, andfor wounded, disabled, and transitioning Veterans and their families to learn to sail, explore the Great Lakes around Chicago, and develop maritime skills, all while promoting veteran well-being, both physical and mental.
Connections for the Homeless
