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.
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.
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.
Don Crost of the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary will be raising money for Shelterbox as he drives his Little Blue Truck (a 1953 Chevy) from Chicago to Los Angeles. You can support him and ShelterBox with a donation, sponsorship, or attend a “send-off” gathering at RI headquarters on Oct. 14. Whatever the amount, the money will be used by Shelterbox to provide relief for families throughout the world who have been displaced by natural disasters and war. Link for Donations: https://shelterboxusa.org/blog/2500-miles-for-25-years/
Rotary has designated October as Economic and Community Development Month!
Rotary Clubs all over the world help communities and people in other countries with projects that aim to provide sustainable ongoing development and help, not just immediate charity.
The Rotary Foundation also enables Rotarians to invest in people by creating sustainable, measurable and long term economic improvements in their communities and livelihoods by : * Building the capacity of entrepreneurs, community leaders, local organizations, and community networks to support economic development in impoverished communities; * Developing opportunities for productive work; * Reducing poverty in under-served communities; and * Supporting studies for career-minded professionals related to economic and community development.
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.
