The regular meeting on January 28 has been replaced with a tour of the Rotary International headquarters in Evanston (deadline for attendance confirmations was last week). February begins with Lunch-packing on February 3 at 6pm at St. Joseph Church, lower level, east entrance, followed by a Noon meeting onFebruary 11 at Sheridan Shore Yacht Club, and a Morning Meeting at 7:30am on February 18, also at the Yacht Club.
Van Gilmer, Music Director at the Bahá’í Temple for North America gave an impassioned presentation about his experiences with racism as a child in the southern U.S., his activism in college during the historic “sit-ins” in Greensboro, NC., and his subsequent and continuing involvement in working for equal justice for all people. He talked about the history of the civil rights movement, adding personal anecdotes and commentary on the current state of racial justice in the U.S. Van’s presentation style made the information real and illuminating. He is also an accomplished soloist and composer.
Join District 6440 each month for an engaging 30-minute, lunchtime learning session by Zoom focused on mental health awareness, resources, and advocacy. Free and open to all. Next Session: Supporting Youth in These Times, Monday, November 3 at Noon. Two therapists from Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook will discuss the struggles of LGTBQ and Latino youth in today’s world. This monthly series highlights expert voices and practical insights to help individuals, families, and communities thrive. JOIN by Zoom
Our Rotary Club worked closely with North Shore Neighbors to support the migrants coming via bus to the Wilmette Metra Station. We provided backpacks of essential items as they transferred from the buses to the metra train into Chicago. Many Rotarians also attended an educational event at St. Francis Church. North Shore Neighbors is co-hosting another educational, nonpartisan event in partnership with Onward House, a trusted Chicago nonprofit with over 130 years of experience supporting immigrant and working families on Thursday, November 6 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at St. Francis Church. Where We Are Now: Meeting the Moment. Our Wilmette Rotary Club is a co-sponsor of this event.
Volunteers are needed for a few events to provide warm winter clothing to the over 500 individuals (adults and children) that Connections for the Homeless serves every year.
On November 6, collections for adult hats, scarves and gloves/mittens, and separately, children’s hats, scarves and mittens/gloves will be delivered to Connections. You can SIGN-UP to collect 50 or more of each type of item before November 6. Or, you can bring these items (new or gently used) to a club meeting and Debora will take them to Connections.
ON NOVEMBER 8 , our club has committed 10 volunteer slots to assist participants in the winter clothing and gear room where they will pick out a coat, boots, and other essential winter items. Location: Lake Street Church. 1458 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. Specific duties and roles will be assigned when you arrive. Please sign up to volunteer HERE or contact Brian Bradley right away.
Wilmette Rotary participated in the Wicked Wilmette Park District event on Friday, October 17. It was a fun community event handing out candy to over 300 children on a warm night in Gilson Park. Parents stopped and club members talked about Rotary while the kids got candy and enjoyed our themed station. Thanks to Brian and Susan Bradley, George Pearce and Grace and Karl Behrand who participated!
This year we are partnering with Bernie's Book Bank to collect books from local schools and libraries. The Big Book Drive was launched on October 1; this great community activity covers all Wilmette private and public elementary schools plus Regina Dominican High School. Literacy leading to self-fulfillment and success in learning is the goal for ALL children! This activity closes on November 14. For more information, contact Maurice at mauricewsullivan@aol.com Photo below is from the Big Book Drive in the past.
Our Rotary members are taking action in honor of World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.
Polio anywhere is a threat everywhere, and Rotary members from Wilmette have long worked to end the paralyzing virus, which will be only the second human disease ever to be eradicated. We have collected thousands of dollars donated by ordinary citizens and businesses over the years.
TO DONATE: Click POLIO We will also be at the Jewel at Plaza del Lago on Saturday, October 25 and will accept donations then. Or send check, made payable to Wilmette Rotary Foundation with “Polio” in the memo section, and mail to Wilmette Rotary, PO Box 111, Wilmette, IL 60091
Join Rotary in Evanston for World Polio Day—art, speakers, and community action to help end polio worldwide. Thursday, October 23, 4pm-7pm. Rotary International Headquarters 1560 Sherman Avenue Evanston. Free, but register HERE to attend and get more info.
4 - 7pm is the Opening Reception: A Legacy in Miniature: Rotary’s Fight to End Polio. Enjoy an art-gallery-style opening at Rotary International headquarters featuring the work of artists who re-create in miniature powerful moments from this historical global effort.
6 - 7:00 PM - Formal World Polio Day Program - hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Evanston and Evanston Lighthouse, and Northwestern Rotaract club, you will hear inspiring stories about courage, collaboration, and innovation behind the world’s most significant public health initiatives, End Polio Now and Polio Plus.
The deadline for ordering gift items was Friday, December 5. However, you can still purchase Raffle Tickets and/or make a Donation using this link HOLIDAY All members should participate in some way, and we hope some Spoke readers will also choose to participate. Raffle tickets may be purchased through December 17 when the winners will be drawn during our Club meeting. Gift item orders will be delivered by Rotarians after December 14.
Raffle Prize detail below. Raffle Tickets - One for $25. Five for $100. Ten for $150
All net proceeds will be used to fund local and international projects and become part of the 2026-2027 budget process. Thank you in advance for helping our club to raise funds to support our local and international humanitarian efforts.
PRIZE DETAILS
4-NIGHT STAY for 2 IN SAN FRANCISCO LUXURY CONDO (subject to availability). 733 Front Street located in San Francisco, it is part of the city's historic and vibrant waterfront area, often associated with the Embarcadero district. The building is known for its proximity to key locations such as Pier 39, the Financial District, and other landmarks. Estimated Value $3800. (Contact debora@pftl.net for photos.)
$500 CASH
BEARS TICKETS- Two tickets to Detroit Lions game at Soldier Field. Date will be determined later (probably early January) Est. Value $500
DINNER AND THEATER – Dinner and 4 theater tickets included in prize. Est. value $600.
4-Course Dinner for Two with beverage pairings at Sophia Steak or other Ballyhoo restaurants. (e.g. Pomeroy, DeNuccis, Gemini, Coda di Volpe)
Two Tickets to any Northlight Theater production in Skokie (subject to availability) Expires 4/30/26.
Two tickets to March 19th, 2026 Gregorian's Pure Chants World Tour, an immersive, genre-blending musical experience. This unforgettable live performance blends ancient Gregorian chant with modern pop and rock. With over 11 million albums sold and more than 2,000 shows worldwide, Gregorian has captivated audiences in over 36 countries.
MIDDLE EASTERN DINNER FOR 12 – prepared by Mariana Alfar and Brian Bradley, at Mariana and Kurt Zoller's Evanston mansion.
CUBS TICKETS – Three tickets. Section 214 Row 3; 3 tickets—Seat 12, 13, 14; No parking pass. Mutually agreed upon date during 2026 Cubs season. Est. value $450
Join the Village of Wilmette and Go Green Wilmette for the Pumpkin Pitch! It’s a quick drop off to pitch your pumpkins on November 1 and November 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Village Hall (1200 Wilmette Avenue) and Centennial Park (2300 Old Glenview Road) parking lots.
This event, coordinated by SCARCE, helps to reduce landfill greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing organics. Pumpkins are 90% water and produce a useful, nutrient-rich organic product, which helps to restore eroded and nutrient-depleted soils. Please remember to remove candles and decorations from your pumpkins before composting. Please contact the Public Works Department at 847-853-7500 or pubworks@wilmette.com for more information.
Monthly Lunch-packing on February 3, 6pm - The 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. This is now a collaborative project with members joining us from the Winnetka-Northfield and Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Clubs. Sign -up LUNCHES
District 6440 Mental Health Task Force is seeking volunteers to help continue and grow mental health initiatives throughout the coming year. If this important work is going to continue, we’ll need passionate Rotarians willing to serve, support, and help develop programming for our district-wide Mental Health Task Force effort. If you are interested in lending your expertise, time, or ideas, please contact: Mary M. Bak Gov.maryb@rotary6440.org
Village of Wilmette - Winterfest is back on Saturday, February 7 from Noon to 4:00 p.m. The Village will once again host Winterfest in Downtown Wilmette. Join us for an afternoon of live ice sculpting, a variety of games in Ouilmette Way, a musical performance by Alfonso Ponticelli at Patrician Galley, Mosy Posy Poet Clown at Koya, and other fun winter activities! Visit wilmette.gov/Winterfest for the event schedule and details.
TEDxWilmette - Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.Central Station Coffee & Tea, 1150 Central Ave., Wilmette. Come to this TEDxWilmette Salon for a topical conversation about what local news makes possible, what happens when it disappears, and what we can do as a community to strengthen it. This will be a powerful, civic-minded evening with three voices representing national, regional, and hyperlocal perspectives. Purchase tickets ($20 each
Blood Drive - 11th Annual Blood Drive on Sunday, February 8th in memory of Kevin Burke who died suddenly at age 23 of a rare heart condition. St Francis Xavier Gym on Super Bowl Sunday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. This year features a Wheel of Fortune for all donors with wonderful raffle prizes, an extended hospitality area, a craft corner, and Girl Scout cookies, again. Also consider bringing a toiletry product to donate to our sharing parish, St Thomas of Canterbury. redcrossblood.org Code: SFXWilmette
Family Service Center - 3d Annual Trivia Night, Thursday, February 26th at 7pm - 9pm (Trivia starts at 7:30) Where: Max and Benny's (461 Waukegan Rd, Northbrook). Teams of up to 6 players will compete ($260/team). Appetizers, desserts, and non-alcoholic beverages are included with your registration.*
* A cash bar option, for alcoholic beverages, will be available. Spots are limited & sell fast! Register your team by Tuesday 2/17 or until sold out. Questions? Please reach out to Events@FamilyServiceCenter.com Click to Register
Club Information
Welcome!
Our Motto: Service Above Self
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Sheridan Shore Yacht Club
20 Harbor Drive
Wilmette, IL 60091 United States of America
We meet 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 both at the Sheridan Shore Yacht Club in Gillson Park. Mailing address: PO Box 111, Wilmette, IL 60091
Lily Ekhtera is a recipient of the Karen Kline scholarship at Oakton Colleget hat our club provides each year. She is a physchology major and president of the Psychology Club. Lily will share a bit of her story and how the scholarship has enabled her to achieve her goals and dreams.
In addtion, Geroge Pearce will update us on the Youth Services Committee, and Debora Morris will talk about club fundraising.
