Upcoming meetings are: The new Rotary Year begins July 1 which is also our Trivia Night fundraiser; be sure to register for this fun event. We have Lunch-packing on Tuesday, July 7 at St. Joseph's Church at 6 p.m.; a Noon meeting on Wednesday, July 8 at St. John's Church; a MorningMeeting on July 15 at The Wilmette Harbor Club.
TIP: Be sure to click on "Click here" at the top of the page to view the entire issue online OR "View entire message" at the bottom of the page to see the whole issue.
Last month, President Brian, suggested that members think about taking some positive actions to help make this a better world. Random acts of kindness were encouraged and some members have reported what they did during the month of February to further this concept. Brian would like to hear from more members at the meetings this month. It's never too late to do a random act of kindness!
A picture is worth 1000 words! Rotarians packed 160 sandwiches for Connections for the Homeless. See the before and after pictures of the refrigerator at Connections for the Homeless.
Rick Reigner, Governor Elect for our district (6440) has asked all of the Presidents Elect to bring bar soap and combs to the President Elect training at the beginning of March. This request is being made to provide some personal hygiene items for the homeless.
Please bring any of these items to one of our February meetings. Frank Hussey (co-President elect) and I will collect whatever is brought in and bring it to the training session the first weekend in March. Please contact me or Frank with any questions.
The month of February is very special in the Rotary calendar because it includes the anniversary of the first meeting of Rotary held on February 23, 1905, in Chicago. That day is now designated as the "World Understanding and Peace Day". If you’re looking for a practical way to put peace into action, check out the following that ties directly to Rotary’s peace focus:
5th Annual Peace Week - February 23–27, 2026 - Five virtual sessions | Completely free
Hosted by Partnering for Peace, brings together meaningful conversations and perspectives from around the world. Registration is simple: one link registers you for all five sessions — attend the ones that interest you most. Register here:
Last chance to donate this Rotary Year to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). It would be great if every member is able to contribute $100 this Rotary year. If you can contribute $100, that equates to only 27 cents per day or $1.92 per week. But any contribution is welcomed. Ray Z. or Terry P. will be able to tell each member how far away they are from their next Paul Harris Fellow award (PHF). Rememberpart of your contribution comes back toourClub tohelpfund our service programs. Ray Zeiss has indicated that there are several members who are very close to becoming a Paul Harris Fellow, or adding to their PHF status, with credits from our past EREY contributions. Donations will be matched for those within $500 of reaching the next PHF.
Members : It's very easy! Click HERE for a direct link to donate.
A message from Rotary International Past President Mark Daniel Maloney: You are warmly invited to register for the upcoming PEACE BEGINS AT HOME – International Online Mega Meeting (The Rotary Mega Meeting). This global gathering will feature inspiring messages from distinguished leaders, dedicated peace advocates and Rotary leaders from across the world. The meeting seeks to reinforce a vital truth: sustainable global peace is built through daily actions, shared values, and strong relationships—beginning at home. Peace cannot be taken for granted. Register here:https://forms.gle/TnJL4LsGd98gMmWx9 Or simply scan the QR code to sign up. Once registered, you will receive updates on the confirmed date, time, and meeting link.
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Time: 9:30 PM (AEST) Registration: Click HERE to register.
Monthly Lunch-packing on July 7, 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 July is Evanston Lighthouse's month; August is Wilmette's month.
Go Green Wilmette’s Volunteer Habitat Work Days – Volunteer with Go Green Wilmette in the Gillson Park Bird Habitat and Mallinckrodt Park. These two parks have areas planted with native plant species, which require hands on maintenance to keep them healthy and thriving. Go Green Wilmette leads work days once per month in each park from 9-11 am. **Gillson Bird Habitat work days happen on the first Sunday of the month, except on holiday weekends: Dates are: July 12, August 2, September 13 and October 4. Meet in the bird habitat along Michigan Ave. just south of Lake Ave.
**Mallinckrodt work days happen on the third Thursday of the month. Dates are: July 16, August 20, September 17 and October 15.
Go Green Wilmette/Wilmette Park District - Beach Clean Ups - Join Go Green Wilmette for a beach clean-up! April through October at Gillson Beach, Gate 3 (Gillson Beach House during the off-season dates), 9am-11am.Bring reusable gloves (not single-use plastic) and a bucket or container. Click Information
Connections for the Homeless - Here is an overview of opportunities for individuals, families, and groups to get involved with Connections this summer:
Saturday, July 25th: 5th Annual Block Party, volunteer individually or with a group. Our club will be participating . Sign up Here.
2026 Evans Scholars Invitational - July 20 – July 26, The Glen Club, Glenview . This is a professional golf tournament and they are looking for volunteers to work during the event. They have multiple committees that you can volunteer for and if you work 4 shifts throughout the week you get a free round of golf at The Glen Club. https://trusteventsolutions.com/event/202/home
New Trier Township is looking for nominations for the George E Noyes Community Spirit Award. This award recognizes outstanding Township volunteers who are making a powerful difference in their communities in ways that support New Trier Township’s mission, and who inspires others to volunteer. Nominate HERE. Nominations will be accepted through March.
Award Criteria: The award recognizes and honors an exceptional individual who makes volunteering and community service a way of life. The person should exemplify the best in volunteering and demonstrate a sense of caring and responsibility for others that connects citizens and solves community problems.
Wilmette’s Sounds of Summer - Enjoy outdoor concerts downtown on the Village Green and in park settings around the community this summer, with weekly concerts June through September. For the full lineup, visit wilmette.gov/SummerMusic.
Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club - Unique raffle opportunity. Win a new Volkswagen Tiguan or $30,000 in cash by buying a raffle ticket for $1000. Ticket sales will be limited to only 100 tickets sold. Drawing on June 30, 2026. Tickets
Wilmette July 3 Independence Day Celebrations
Yankee Doodle Dash 5k8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Gillson Park Dash the streets of Wilmette in the Park District’s dandy 5K! Registration includes a shirt, medal, and refreshments. Click here to register by June 30.
Fun & Fireworks5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Gillson Park Enjoy an evening packed with Independence Day Celebrations at Gillson Park! There will be food vendors, live music, performers, and a firework show to kick off your 4th a day early. Click here for more information.
Madonna Mission - Our club supports this organization that provides education and resettlement support for legally arrived refugee families. They are having an Open House on July 8 at 1706 W. Morse Ave, Chicago. Anyone interested in finding out more about this organization should attend.
Wilmette Sidewalk SaleFriday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11Sponsored by the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce! The event will include merchants and vendors on the sidewalks of downtown, plus entertainment and performances by local arts groups. Click here for more information.
Winnetka-Northfield Rotary Raffle - Win a 750W Electric Bicycle ($1500 value) as first prize; $500 cash for 2nd prize; $250 cash for 3rd prize. Only 250 tickets will be sold. Drawing is July 16. Tickets are $20 each. Purchase tickets
Club Information
Welcome!
Our Motto: Service Above Self
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
St. John's Lutheran Church
1235 Wilmette Ave
Wilmette, IL 60091 United States of America
We meet monthly on the 1st Tuesday at 6pm at St Joseph Church, 2nd and 4th Wednesday at Noon at St. John's Church, Wilmette, and 3rd Wednesday at 7:30am at the Wilmette Harbor Club in Gillson Park. Mailing address: PO Box 111, Wilmette, IL 60091
How to Use Technology to Make Major Medical Decisions
Member John Kilner has demonstrated for us the free new online tool for creating a personalized advance medical directive. This time he'll demonstrate the other way this tool can be useful: for making current major medical decisions that reflect a person's own values and priorities. You'll also learn how to help others with this tool.
Sheridan Shore Yacht Club