We share sadness for another departed Past District Governor, David Bills, of the River Cities Club. His term as Governor was 2021-2022, and a mentor for me as I entered the Governor Line as Governor Nominee. David passed away on March 5 while in hospice care after a long illness. Dave was a retired educator, like myself, serving in several school districts. He retired his fulltime career as Superintendent of Riverdale Schools in Port Byron. Our support and sympathy are with his wife of 52 years, Sandee, their children, family and friends.
April is here and that means it's time to plan for your club's District Grant request. Your club should be actively thinking about an impactful project to benefit your community.
Rotary District 6420 invites all Presidents-Elect, club officers, and members interested in learning more about Rotary and our district to join us for the District Training Assembly on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, IL, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
This year’s theme, Leadership & Legacy, challenges each of us to reflect on the impact we make — not just during our time as leaders but in shaping the future of Rotary for generations to come. Whether you’re preparing to take on a leadership role or simply looking to deepen your Rotary knowledge, this event offers something for everyone.
The Galena Rotary Club recently hosted a ski weekend at Chestnut Mountain Resort for seven exchange students, five inbounds and two outbounds. Participating from the Galena Rotary Club was Cata Mauro, a high school sophomore from Argentina. She’s pictured with Brian Schoenrock, Galena Rotarian and past president.
The Sauk Valley Foodbank was started in 2001, after the closure of Northwestern Steel and Wire Co., Lawrence Brothers, and National Manufacturing, increased demands on local food pantries brought the need to Carol Siefken who had also lost her job in computer finance from the closures. The United Way of Sterling-Rock Falls (United Way of Whiteside County) formed a committee and approached the River Bend Foodbank in Davenport, Iowa to see whether the area needed a foodbank of its own.
The Morrison and Sterling Twin City Rotary Clubs teamed up for the grant program to support the April House Children's Advocacy Center, serving Whiteside County. The funds were used for a portable recording system which can be used to conduct forensic interviews off-site for situations such as a child who is hospitalized, on site of a critical mass incident, to increase accessibility for those with limitations, or to travel to an area to assist another CAC in a unique situation.
At the February 25th Club "social," Royal Family Kids Camp was presented with a check for $12,000! They were selected as the "Fund a Need" recipient for last November's auction.
Princeton Rotary Club held a Black Light Bingo fundraiser on March 9th and netted over $3,000 for the Princeton High School Scholarship Fund. The theme was "March Madness."
The Dixon Rotary Club had a fantastic turnout for our annual Shrimp Boil and Chili fundraiser. All proceeds from this event support our scholarship program for local high school seniors to apply for.
On Saturday morning, March 8th, a group of high school students gathered to gain essential life skills that will serve them well in the years to come. With experts in emotional, physical, and financial safety, the event was a powerful opportunity for students to learn how to protect themselves in today's complex world. Thanks to the generous support of the District Grant, this event provided a strong foundation for personal growth and future success.
Fay's BBQ Drive - Thru Dinner Fundraiser to support our annual club scholarships, the Plano High School Interact Club, and youth leadership initiatives in our community. Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 4:00 to 6:30 PM, at the Plano Molding parking lot, 431 Rt. 34, Plano Illinois.
The Rotary Club of Toluca contributed, along with district grant funds, $3,180 for the purchase of new radios for our local fire department. Many towns are privileged to still have a local fire department and we are grateful for our volunteers that continue serving our communities. The radios provide enhanced safety and reliability while the fire department responds to not only fires, but car accidents, farming accidents, lift assists, and mutual aid to other departments in our area.
Please join me in congratulating all Presidents-elect who attended the Midwest PETS 2025 event in Itasca, IL.
Congratulations and welcome to your journey as a Rotary Club President-Elect! This is an exciting opportunity to lead with purpose, inspire your members, and make a meaningful impact in your community and beyond.
The Toluca Rotary donated $500 to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department toward the purchase of sensory packs for patrol vehicles to better serve persons with autism and cognitive and physical disabilities. The program is also asking residents and families to register persons with special needs with the Sheriff’s Office (marshallcountyillinois.gov/linked-program/) so that police, ambulance, fire personnel, and other first responders can tailor their response to an individual’s specific needs.
It takes a community to fight the homeless veteran crisis. The homeless veteran crisis is not only going out and finding those veterans that are living on the street, but those that are couch surfing and those who struggling and could become homeless without a little support.
According to the calendar, spring has arrived. You can’t always tell by the weather. You just know it will snow at least once in April but my daffodils are budding and my tulips are popping up so I am guardedly optimistic that soon the days will be warmer! It is still too early for garden clean up (remember the pollinators we are trying to help are still sleeping) until the daytime temps are consistently in the 60’s.
PC ROTARY LITTLE FREE PANTRY CELEBRATES 5 YEARS. For various reasons we all remember the year 2020. Let’s face it, it was a year hard to forget. It was a year of learning about Zoom, working from home, not working, online school and masks. It was also a year for too many sad endings but yet many new beginnings.
Area 1 Assistant Governor Beth Costa-Bland invited all Area 1 Rotary Clubs for an evening of networking, friendship and to advance the Rotary Cause. The members gathered on March 27 at Casey’s Pub in Loves Park. Members were also encouraged to bring other Rotarians and future members to the event.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mississippi Valley Blue Jeans for Blue Doors Block Party Celebration. The event will be held on Thursday May 15, 2025, from 5-9pm at Ontiveros Youth Center located at 1122 5th Avenue Moline.
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