Our 2024 Fundraiser, Hope Walk for the Homeless is next Saturday, May 4. Join Rotarians from four other Rotary clubs, friends, and neighbors for a Fun 5k Walk in beautiful Gillson Park. It will start at 10am in the Wallace Bowl area of the Park. All proceeds will go to organizations that provide services to the homeless in Evanston, Chicago, and the local area (e.g. Connections for the Homeless, La Casa Norte, Fraternite Notre Dame, Interfaith Alliance of Evanston and others). Registration fee is $30 per person, $50 for a couple, $100 for a Family, and $25 for Students.
This will be a combined effort by the Rotary Club of Wilmette with assistance from the Rotary Club of Evanston, Evanston Lighthouse, Winnetka/Northfield and Glenview Sunrise. A pre-determined course will be set on Park grounds. Refreshments will be available. The QR code on the image above will take you to the registration page. or CLICK HERE
North Shore Community Bank is our primary sponsor; secondary sponsor is Scott Simpson Design & Build.
We will need registered volunteers to help with the event. Click VOLUNTEER to sign-up to help on the day of the event.
Kara Teeple, CEO and Moira Tuffy, VP of Development for Lawrence Hall, spoke to us about the important and impressive work being done with Chicago's youth and families to overcome childhood trauma and foster long-term healing and stability. They also work to rebuild trust and connection in the surrounding communities.
Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, their core programs help peel back the different, difficult layers of childhood trauma and prepare individuals to live independent and productive lives. Their core programs include: Child and Family Treatment; Therapeutic Day School; Foster Care; Transitional and Independent Living; Workforce Development; Community Wellness.
To see slides of their presentation, contact debora@pftl.net
Morning Meeting: Dick Farkas is a Professor of Political Science at DePaul University. He has over fifty years of experience teaching about Russia and Ukraine. He spoke to us about cyber-crime and cyberwarfare. He explained that there is no such thing as cyber security, despite what is advertised by companies that sell "security" software. The only security they can provide is from amateur hackers; the more sophisticated hacker can always get into your system. Ransomware has become a very lucrative business as large companies that get hacked usually end up paying the hackers. The best advice he could give was to be as unimportant as possible so you will not become a likely target for hackers.
Midday Meeting: Lexy Gore, Chair of Community Outreach and Holly Stevens, President of Community Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.™) spoke to us about their volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization with a mission to serve the communities of Chicago's North Shore by fostering and supporting healthy, positive relationships between people and companion animals. They provide care to cats and dogs to prepare them for adoption. When some of these animals first come to the shelter, they were abandoned and/or mistreated, so C.A.R.E. staff and volunteers nurture and return them to health before making them available to adopt. They also provide pet food to help owners to maintain healthy pets. for more information visit https://www.carenorthshore.org/pantry .
As the number of buses increases, the police and volunteers are finding it difficult to meet every bus. Village management just passed an ordinance on April 24 to limit the hours a bus can arrive to better ensure the safety of the operation. Buses will only be allowed to stop in Wilmette between 8:00am and 4:30pm, or face hefty fines.
The Process: buses arrive at the Wilmette train station with migrants who have been transported here from Texas. In connection with SaLT an organization in Highland Park, volunteers pack bags with hygiene items, water and snack bars to give to the migrants. When a bus is spotted, the police are called and a text goes out to a group of volunteers who go to the train station and rapidly roll out containers of "Take Care" packs and winter coats As the migrants leave the bus, the volunteers give them the packs and the migrants select from the donated coats laid out on the train platform by volunteers.
So volunteers' will still need donations for the "Take Care" packs (Click to see donation locations). An Amazon shopping list has been set up where you can purchase items that can be sent directly to SaLT for packing. Click Amazon to see the list. If you are interested in donating funds, click HERE
Ray Zeiss and Steve Jambor were at the District Conference last Saturday to explain and create interest in two Programs of Scale, Uganda Ultra-sound and Zambia Medical Supply projects. Many Rotarians from Districts 6440 and 6450 stopped by their table to learn about these important projects. Steve created a very creative marketing prop, a pink stethoscope with a sign "Ask Me About ..." ; soon many Rotarians were walking around the conference with the pink stethoscopes around their necks.
Uganda Ultra-sound Project - providing ultra-sound equipment and training to remote areas of Uganda to improve infant mortality and the healthcare of mothers and babies.
Zambia Medical Supply Project - In partnership with Project Cure is a US-based organization that helps assess and supply medical equipment. A $40k project could provide as much as $300k in Medical equipment and supplies to Zambia.
More pictures from our wonderful 100th Anniversary/Installation on June 20 with the Winnetka/Northfield Club. A good time was had by all; guests and Rotarians alike commented on the important work Rotary Clubs do and their impact on the world. Click HERE to see the Presentation by Terry Porter and George Pearce on the history of our clubs and information on some of the significant projects our Rotary Clubs have done.
June 30 (only 7 days from now) is the deadline for this year's EREY contribution. Every Rotarian should contribute what they can to this every year. Ray Z. or Terry P. will be able to tell each member how far away they are from their next PHF. Rememberpart of your contribution comes back toourClub tofund 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.
Migrant Assistance - Many of the recent migrant children who were bused to Chicago this year will be attending Cameron Elementary (a Chicago Public School in West Humboldt Park). They are currently living in temporary housing. They urgently need school supplies and uniforms to support their education. Your donation can make a significant difference in helping these students succeed in their new learning environment. An Amazon Wishlist has been created so you can donate these needed items. Click HERE to donate.
Go Green Wilmette -- One of our environmental goals this year is to support Go Green Wilmette.
Solar Social in Wilmette -- September 29 from 2-4 p.m. at 2820 Orchard Lane
Don't miss this chance to get answers to your questions about home solar installations. Meet other Wilmette solar owners, visit information booths and hear a short presentation. Learn about:
How to tell if your home is a good solar candidate
Financing options – cash, leases and loans
Finding a good contractor
Battery options
EV charging with solar panels
Community solar if rooftop solar is not an option
Stop by anytime for Q & A, refreshments and socializing.
Club Information
Welcome!
Our Motto: Service Above Self
Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Varies
Wilmette Locations
Wilmette, IL 60091 United States of America
Our Rotary Club meets monthly on the 2nd Wednesday at Noon at St. John's Church, the 4th Wednesday at 7:30am at the Wilmette Harbor Club, and on the 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.
