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.

 

 

   

Los Angeles arranger/composer/producer John Philip Shenale and local music journalist/rock author Lisa Torem preseented an interesting program that explained the impact of AI on the music industry.  They emphasized that an artist's background is many times infused in his or her music which is lost with AI.  The time and energy an artist spends to develop their style and expression should not be underestimated.  Lisa and Phil played several selections from artists they have worked with for many years, explaining how their background stories  affected their music. 

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

At their meeting on April 24, the Village Board will consider adoption of an ordinance to establish a timeframe during which unscheduled buses can drop-off passengers at the Wilmette Metra Station.
 
Excerpt from 4/19/24 Weekly Wilmette E-Newsletter - Between December 31, 2023 and April 17, 2024, 62 unscheduled buses carrying approximately 2,447 passengers have arrived in the Village of Wilmette from Texas, with many of the passengers being persons seeking asylum from various countries in Central America. The Village has approached this evolving situation in accordance with our obligation to ensure the safety of all individuals living in and visiting the community. Accordingly, the Wilmette Police Department has helped guide the new arrivals from the Wilmette Metra Station to the City of Chicago where they receive food, shelter, medical care, and social services. 
 
Over the past 30 days, the frequency of unannounced bus drop-offs in Wilmette has increased to approximately 7 per week, with some buses arriving in the middle of the night. Unscheduled, overnight bus drop-offs have presented a strain on the Wilmette Police Department’s resources due to reduced overnight police staffing and limited Metra train availability. Accordingly, the Village Board will vote on an ordinance to limit the days and times during which buses may make unscheduled drop-offs in Wilmette to Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. This timeframe allows the Wilmette Police Department to continue to serve in a community caretaking role while providing the best opportunity for bus passengers to immediately access City of Chicago services, which include mandatory vaccinations, to expedite the transition from Chicago’s intake center to shelters. 

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. 

Our condolences to member Frank Hussey whose mother, Dorothy,  passed away on March 15.  Service: April 26, 2024; 11am; Holy Comforter  Church , Kenilworth, Il
Reception: Skokie Country Club ; Glencoe, Il  Link to obituary here .