Stories

World Immunization Week: Protecting Lives, Building Trust
Every shot given is a promise kept—a promise of protection, health, and hope.
World Immunization Week, observed April 24–30, is a global campaign to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines in preventing disease and saving lives. For Rotary, this week is deeply personal. Our fight to end polio—one of the largest and most sustained public health efforts in history—is proof of what’s possible when people come together to immunize and protect.
Vaccines are more than medical tools. They are bridges to opportunity. A vaccinated child is more likely to attend school. A healthy family is more likely to prosper. A disease prevented is a future restored.
Rotary clubs worldwide continue to advocate for equitable vaccine access—not just for polio, but for measles, HPV, COVID-19, and other preventable diseases. In partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and Gavi, Rotary’s efforts go beyond logistics—they are about building trust, educating communities, and breaking down barriers.
This week, we reflect on our progress—but we also recommit. Because until every child is safe, our work isn’t done.
As People of Action, we don’t just deliver vaccines—we deliver hope.
#WorldImmunizationWeek #EndPolio #Rotary #PeopleOfAction #VaccinesWork #GlobalHealth #ServiceAboveSelf #HealthEquity #ImmunizationMatters

 

Earth Day: A Call to Serve the Planet We Share
Each April 22, the world comes together to honor Earth Day—a reminder that we are not just inhabitants of this planet, but stewards of its future.
For Rotarians, environmental care is not just a cause—it’s a responsibility. Through our growing commitment to Supporting the Environment, Rotary clubs around the world are replanting forests, cleaning coastlines, reducing waste, and building awareness about sustainable living.
Earth Day isn’t just about action—it’s about perspective. It calls us to consider the legacy we leave behind, not just for our children, but for generations we will never meet. As Paul Harris once noted, “Rotary changes us and those we serve.” That includes the Earth itself.
Every clean water project, every solar panel installed, every tree planted is an act of peace. Because when we protect the environment, we are fostering health, equity, and resilience across communities.
This Earth Day, let’s remember: sustainability is not an add-on—it’s embedded in the values of service, compassion, and ethics that define who we are.
Let’s be the kind of ancestors the Earth will thank.
#EarthDay #Rotary #PeopleOfAction #EnvironmentalStewardship #Sustainability #ServiceAboveSelf #RotaryInternational #ProtectOurPlanet

 

World Health Day 2025 – Health as a Human Right
On April 7th, we recognize World Health Day, a reminder that health is not a privilege—it’s a human right.
Rotarians across the globe understand that wellness is foundational. Without health, education stalls, economic growth falters, and entire communities suffer. This year’s World Health Day theme calls for universal access to healthcare—a vision that Rotary has championed through decades of service.
From fighting polio to building clinics, from ensuring clean water to supporting maternal and child health, Rotary’s global network continues to address the root causes of health disparities. But we know that health isn’t only about hospitals or medicine—it’s also about dignity, education, and access.
When a Rotary club installs a water filter in a rural school, it’s promoting public health. When Rotarians fund vaccinations or train local nurses, they’re not just solving symptoms—they're investing in long-term community resilience.
As People of Action, we believe everyone deserves the chance to live a healthy, fulfilling life—regardless of where they’re born.
So on this World Health Day, we ask: How will you serve? How will your club respond? Let’s make health equity more than an idea—let’s make it our mission.
Because health for all begins with action from us all.
#WorldHealthDay #Rotary #PeopleOfAction #HealthEquity #PublicHealth #RotaryResponds #ServiceAboveSelf #HealthForAll #RotaryInternational

 

 

 

Building Futures from the Very Beginning – Rotary’s Role in Maternal and Child Health Month, April 2025
Every child deserves a healthy start in life. Every mother deserves the opportunity to thrive before, during, and after childbirth. This April, as we observe Maternal and Child Health Month, we pause to reflect on the vital importance of nurturing life at its most vulnerable stages.
In many communities around the world, pregnancy and childbirth are still fraught with danger. Lack of access to prenatal care, trained health professionals, or even basic sanitation can mean the difference between life and death. These challenges are not distant realities—they are a call to action.
Rotary understands that the health of families begins with mothers and children. Through sustainable projects that provide medical training, access to clean water, nutritional education, and birthing kits, Rotary clubs around the world are empowering communities to care for their own.
But more than just services, Rotary brings compassion. We bring the belief that every life is worth protecting. And that belief fuels our partnerships with health organizations, our fundraising efforts, and our boots-on-the-ground service.
As Rotarians, our commitment to Service Above Self is never more profound than when we stand beside mothers and their newborns. We are not just offering aid—we are shaping generations.
Let April 2025 be more than a month of awareness. Let it be a month of action. Reach out. Start a project. Support a clinic. Educate a future parent. Because when we care for mothers and children, we invest in the very heart of humanity.
Join us. Serve with us. Change lives.
#Rotary #PeopleOfAction #MaternalHealth #ChildHealth #RotaryResponds #ServiceAboveSelf #RotaryInternational #HealthyStarts #AprilIsForMothersAndChildren

Today, on March 22, 2025, we once again come together to recognize World Water Day, an annual United Nations observance designed to highlight the importance of fresh and clean water. Established in 1993, World Water Day serves as an essential call to action, promoting the sustainable management of the world's water resources and encouraging provisions for the billions of people living in water-scarce regions. 
The theme for this year’s World Water Day is "Ensuring Water for All in a Changing Climate." This theme underlines the increasing importance of water in a world that is rapidly warming and undergoing unprecedented environmental change. Global warming accelerates the hydrological cycle causing unpredictable rainfalls leading to floods in some regions and droughts in others. Meanwhile, sea-level rises pose risks to coastal water aquifers and city water supplies. These changes can massively impact access to clean and safe water, particularly for vulnerable communities in less developed countries.
In the face of the ongoing climate crisis, ensuring equitable access to safe and sufficient water is a real challenge. The UN World Water Development Report 2025 underscores that it requires innovative thinking, global cooperation, and local-level efforts to efficiently manage and protect our water resources to ultimately achieve Universal Water Security.
While the facts-and-figures indicate a context of deepening crisis, this World Water Day is not merely about outlining the problems. It's about fostering an attitude of active involvement towards global water preservation.
Around the globe, communities and institutions are mobilizing to answer the call to action. In regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, where the issue of water scarcity is particularly acute, new initiatives are forming that utilize sustainable technologies, including solar-powered water purification. Also, in wealthier nations, new regulations, and green infrastructural developments, like adapting to more efficient water-saving appliances and investing in stormwater management systems, exemplify building resilience against the impacts of climate change.
Schools and educational institutions are also playing their part, launching lessons and projects that make younger generations aware of the global water crisis and encouraging them to contribute to potential solutions. Non-governmental organizations and governments continue to collaborate to formulate international policies and generate funds to support water preservation and management projects worldwide. 
This year on World Water Day, we again remind ourselves of the significance of water. Water is fundamental to our survival—it nourishes us, it keeps us clean, and it supports every ecosystem on the planet.
However, water is a finite resource. To guarantee that there will be enough to meet the demands of the global population, predicted to peak at 9.7 billion by 2050, every one of us needs to play our part. Let's use this World Water Day as a springboard to alter our personal water habits with an eye on conservation.
Every step–no matter how small–counts when it comes to water preservation. Whether that's moderating our own usage, supporting charities working on global access to clean water, or advocating for sustainable water management practices in our local communities. In the spirit of World Water Day, let's remember that we share a common responsibility in solving the water crisis and in securing a sustainable water future for all. 
As Nelson Mandela once said, "Access to water is a common goal. It is an issue that requires action at every level, from family to the international community." So this World Water Day, let's step forward together to "Ensure Water for All in a Changing Climate."

 

Rotary Water and Sanitation Month: A Ripple Effect of Change
Every day, millions of people around the world struggle with access to clean water and proper sanitation. The consequences are devastating—waterborne diseases, high child mortality rates, and lost economic opportunities. This is why Rotary International dedicates March to Water and Sanitation, one of its seven Areas of Focus.
Rotarians understand that water is not just about quenching thirst—it’s about health, education, and economic prosperity. A lack of clean water forces children, especially girls, to walk miles daily to fetch water instead of attending school. It forces families into cycles of poverty, unable to work due to preventable diseases.
But there is hope. Through sustainable water projects, sanitation initiatives, and hygiene education, Rotary clubs worldwide are changing lives.
From building borewells in remote villages to installing water filtration systems in schools, Rotarians are ensuring communities gain lasting access to safe water. Projects are not just about infrastructure—they empower communities through education, teaching proper hygiene practices to reduce disease and improve quality of life.
This March, let’s reflect on how we can be part of the solution. Whether it’s supporting a local clean water initiative, raising awareness about water conservation, or contributing to a Rotary project, every action creates a ripple effect of change.
Water is life. When we provide clean water, we empower communities, create opportunities, and build a healthier world.
💧 How will you contribute to the cause this month? Join the movement!
#Rotary #WaterAndSanitation #CleanWaterForAll #PeopleOfAction

 

December 20 marks International Human Solidarity Day, a reminder that our shared humanity is the foundation for peace, progress, and justice. This day calls us to celebrate our diversity and promote unity in addressing global challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change.
For Rotarians, solidarity is more than an ideal—it’s a way of life. Whether it's through projects that provide clean water, fight disease, or empower youth, we work together across borders, cultures, and beliefs to build a more equitable world.
Solidarity reminds us that no challenge is insurmountable when we join hands in compassion and action. Let’s take today to reaffirm our commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable and creating inclusive opportunities for all.
🤝 Reflect and act: How can we deepen our collaboration to tackle the issues facing our communities and the world?
Together, we’re not just individuals—we’re a movement for change.
#HumanSolidarityDay #GlobalUnity #RotaryValues #PeopleOfAction

 

Remembering Silvester Schiele: A Founding Leader of Rotary
On December 17, 1945, the Rotary community lost a pioneer: Silvester Schiele, the first president of the Rotary Club of Chicago and one of Rotary’s founding members. Schiele was not just a visionary leader; he was a living example of Rotary’s ideals of fellowship and service.
As a coal dealer by profession, Schiele’s practicality and dedication helped shape Rotary’s early mission. He believed in connecting people from different walks of life to foster friendship and create meaningful change—a vision that continues to guide Rotary today.
His legacy reminds us of the power of leadership rooted in humility, service, and collaboration. As Rotarians, we honor his memory by carrying forward the spirit of Service Above Self in everything we do.
🕊️ Take a moment today to reflect on how you can uphold the values of our founders and create a lasting impact in your own community.
#RotaryHistory #ServiceAboveSelf #RotaryLeadership #PeopleOfAction

 

Honoring the Bill of Rights: A Framework for Service and Justice
On December 15, we celebrate Bill of Rights Day, a tribute to the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution. These amendments embody values we hold dear: freedom of speech, the right to assemble, and protections for individual liberties. For Rotarians, these principles resonate deeply with our mission to promote integrity, advance world understanding, and foster goodwill.
The Bill of Rights not only defines rights but reminds us of our responsibilities. As Rotarians, we work tirelessly to ensure these rights are upheld—not just in theory, but in practice—through projects that fight for educational equity, justice, and the dignity of all people.
Let today serve as a call to action. How can we better advocate for fairness, support underserved communities, and amplify voices that often go unheard? By upholding the ideals of the Bill of Rights in our service projects and daily lives, we embody Rotary’s vision of a more equitable and compassionate world.
🔔 Take a moment today to reflect: How will you champion these values in your service and leadership?
#BillOfRightsDay #RotaryValues #ServiceAboveSelf #PeopleOfAction

 

 

Today is International Volunteer Day, a celebration of those who give their time and energy to make our world a better place. Volunteers remind us of the power of compassion and action in shaping brighter futures. 🌟
Whether it’s mentoring, planting trees, or simply being there for someone in need, every act of service makes an impact. Let’s honor these changemakers and reflect on how we can all contribute to our communities.
🌍💙 How will you volunteer this month? Share your plans below!
#InternationalVolunteerDay #PeopleOfAction

 

 

Today, on December 5th, we join the world in celebrating International Volunteer Day, a day dedicated to recognizing and honoring the tireless efforts of volunteers everywhere. Volunteers are the quiet champions of progress, bridging gaps in their communities with compassion, innovation, and selflessness.
Volunteering is more than just lending a hand—it is about cultivating hope and ensuring that no one gets left behind. From mentoring youth, distributing food, and caring for the environment to leading community programs, volunteers enrich the social fabric in ways that cannot be measured by numbers alone.
This year’s theme encourages us to reflect on the transformative power of volunteering. It reminds us that even small actions can inspire monumental change. Volunteers don’t just work; they uplift. They don’t just give time; they invest in futures.
As members of a global community, we all have the capacity to make a difference. By harnessing the power of collective action, we can address critical issues—poverty, education gaps, health disparities, and more.
How can you contribute? Start small. Consider your skills and passions. Whether it’s an hour a month or a few days a year, your effort matters. Seek out opportunities within your local community, professional networks, or global platforms like Rotary International.
Let today inspire us to lead with generosity, empathy, and determination. Let us honor the volunteers who keep the heartbeat of community progress strong. Together, we can be the change.
Call to Action: What’s one way you can give back this month? Commit to an act of service today and watch how it transforms not only others’ lives but your own.
#InternationalVolunteerDay #PeopleOfAction #CommunityService

On November 16, we observe the International Day for Tolerance, a day that highlights the importance of mutual understanding, respect, and acceptance of our differences. In today’s interconnected world, embracing tolerance is not just a value; it’s a necessity. As cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds meet, the way we respect and understand one another determines our ability to live peacefully and collaboratively.
Tolerance doesn’t mean mere acceptance—it’s about actively engaging with others, seeking to understand others' perspectives, and celebrating the richness of our differences. This openness creates communities where diversity is not just respected but cherished, enabling everyone to contribute their unique strengths.
The importance of tolerance goes beyond avoiding conflict; it nurtures growth, empathy, and innovation. Research shows that when individuals and communities embrace diversity, they enjoy greater resilience, creativity, and productivity. In recognizing the need for tolerance, we are fostering a world that is more inclusive, welcoming, and united.
This year, let’s celebrate tolerance with intention. Small actions can make a significant impact: a friendly conversation with someone new, attending cultural events, listening to diverse stories, or simply showing curiosity about others’ perspectives. Let us use today as an opportunity to connect with people around us and commit to building bridges, promoting harmony, and working toward a more inclusive future.

 

As we mark the World Diabetes Day of 2024 today, it's essential to bring out into the open, one of the most pervasive health issues of our time - diabetes. Celebrated on November 14th every year, the aim of World Diabetes Day is to raise global awareness about the escalating health threats posed by the disease. The theme for this year's commemoration is yet to be an impactful rallying cry for individuals, families, and communities to join the effort to prevent, control, and manage diabetes.
With the number of adults living with diabetes almost quadrupling since 1980 to 422 million globally, according to the World Health Organization, this day highlights the urgent need to implement robust, effective, and affordable strategies to tackle and stem the rising tide of diabetes.
World Diabetes Day was launched in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization, in response to the rapid increase in diabetes cases globally. The date, November 14th, was chosen in honor of Sir Frederick Banting a co-discoverer of insulin alongside Charles Best, whose birthday falls on the same date. 
This year, amidst the growing concern surrounding diabetes, the day holds more tremendous significance than ever before, as the pandemic has further spotlighted the inextricable link between chronic diseases like diabetes and global public health.
Understanding Diabetes 
Diabetes is a chronic condition that impairs the body's ability to process blood sugar, otherwise known as blood glucose. If not effectively managed, it leads to dangerously high levels of sugar in the blood, leading to severe and often life-threatening complications. 
There are two primary types of diabetes: Type 1 - where the body does not produce insulin, and Type 2 - where the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or resists it. Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent form accounting for approximately 90-95% of all diagnosed cases. 
The Role of Public Health Interventions 
The crux of World Diabetes Day lies beyond raising awareness; it's about galvanizing a collective action across all sectors of society, ranging from governments and health organizations to communities and individuals. 
A vital weapon in combating diabetes is early diagnosis. Therefore, making diagnostic tools accessible and affordable can help identify the disease in its early stages, thereby preventing complications. Regular blood glucose testing, a healthy diet and lifestyle, physical activity, and medication if required are key in managing diabetes. 
As technology continues to evolve and merge with healthcare, digital health interventions also hold the promise of revolutionizing diabetes care, enabling remote patient monitoring and personalized treatment plans. 
Education is another powerful tool; understanding the risk factors of diabetes can lead to prevention and early intervention. Obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, smoking, and genetic predisposition are some of the key risk factors associated with Type 2 diabetes. 
Today, on World Diabetes Day 2024, let's embrace our roles as advocates in this global fight against diabetes. Whether it's campaigning for increased funding for research, better access to vital services, or supporting those living with the condition, there are many ways to contribute. 
It's time we rally together, take a stand, and focus on creating a world where diabetes can be successfully prevented, diagnosed, managed, and even cured. After all, the health of our world tomorrow heavily depends on how well we confront and control diabetes today. 
Let this World Diabetes Day be a catalyst for change, prompting us to do more, not just as concerned individuals, but as proactive members of the global community.

 

As November 1, 2024, dawns, the global community of Rotarians anticipates the arrival of a special month-long celebration - the Rotary Foundation Month. This annual celebration hails the commendable efforts of the Rotary Foundation in promoting peace, fighting disease, and bolstering many other diverse causes worldwide. Themed around testament, transformation, and togetherness, Rotary Foundation Month 2024 seeks to highlight the organization’s successes while anticipating the challenges and opportunities the future holds.
Established in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch Klumph, the Rotary Foundation began as a humble endowment fund for the purpose of "doing good in the world." Since then, it has grown into a significant non-profit foundation that has invested over $4 billion in critical humanitarian services across the world.
The Rotary Foundation has consistently championed worthy causes. It has taken the forefront in combating polio worldwide, providing clean water, supporting education, and promoting peace. A significant portion of the foundation's resources is directed towards high-impact, sustainable projects in six key areas: peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development.
Throughout November, Rotary clubs worldwide will celebrate the Foundation's impactful work. Various activities, including fundraising events, awareness campaigns, and community service initiatives, will be conducted. These events aim not only to raise funds for the Foundation but also to increase public awareness about the initiatives and projects it supports.
The 2024 Rotary Foundation Month notably underscores the importance of community involvement and unity in driving significant change. Given the unique global challenges facing us, from public health crises to climate change, the need for concerted, coordinated action has never been greater.
One of the critical aspects of Rotary Foundation Month is acknowledging the power of endowments and planned giving. With donations from countless generous individuals worldwide, the Foundation has been able to extend its reach exponentially. We encourage all Rotarians and friends of Rotary to consider how they can support the Foundation’s life-changing work, whether through financial contributions, time, expertise, or spreading the word about the Foundation’s initiatives.
As we step into this significant month, let's remember and celebrate the transformational changes brought about by the Rotary Foundation over the years. The contribution of each Rotary member, donor, and volunteer has played a part in shaping a better, more peaceful world.
As we forge ahead, the Rotary Foundation is committed to remaining a driving force for positive global change. As the world grapples with pressing challenges, the Foundation will continue to invest in people and projects that offer long-term, sustainable solutions for healthier and more resilient communities.
Join us this November in celebrating the Rotary Foundation Month 2024, as we reflect on our past successes, embrace the challenges of the present, and look forward to a better future. Let us collectively strengthen our resolve to 'do good in the world.' This encapsulates the very essence of the Rotary Foundation’s spirit and is the driving force behind our unprecedented growth and lasting impact. Let's continue our journey of service, unity, and commitment towards making the world a better place for all. Nothing could be a more fitting tribute to the memory of Arch Klumph, whose dream of “doing good in the world” is as alive and relevant today as it was over a century ago. 
In this spirit of celebration and commitment, let's make the Rotary Foundation Month 2024 a remarkable milestone on our journey towards creating lasting change. Together, let's continue to inspire, impact, and transform – for the good of our world.

 

If your student is interested in pursuing what is probably the most noble profession in the world - Peace Building, tell them about Rotary Peace Fellows. If accepted, they will attend one of several all expense paid Peace Doctorate Programs located all over the world. The newest location is opening in Instanbul. This morning we met Peace Fellow Scott Lang who is currently representing the United States to the Polish government in Warsaw, he is helping to manage Ukrainian refugees.

 

Enlightening evening of networking and socializing at our Rotary Means Business - Fox Valley Networking meeting. Thanks to Mark Huber of Thornwood Financial for sharing his vast business insights. Join us the Second Tuesday of each month 5:15pm at the Elgin Holiday Inn. No cost to attend, plus free appetizers and cash bar.

 

Our club was grateful to serve food at the annual Washington Elementary back to school event. It’s nice to see so many families casually interacting with their teachers and school staff.

Fun times at our annual Ray Kriske Memorial Raffle and Dinner. We raised lots of money for great causes and some Rotarians and their family members received prestigious Paul Harris Awards. Thanks to Tom Schneider and the Golf Club of Illinois.

During our Club Officer Installation Dinner we celebrated another successful year of serving our community, and world, with amazing service projects. We swore in a new member and handed out tons of District Awards. Outgoing Club President Alan Kirk shared the clubs successes this year and incoming President Jim Brandes was sworn in by incoming District 6440 Governor Thor Davidson, along with his new board members. We thank all our club members for their efforts and all the businesses and individuals who support our good works. JOIN US AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/487088673717245/

 

 

Please support the Well-Child Center in June by making donations to their Community Pantry. You can either drop off donations at 620 Wing Street, Elgin - Or, we can arrange to pick them up from you. You could share this flyer at your company and we could do one pick up there as well! Michelle Esquivel, the Executive Director of the Well-Child Center is also an outstanding involved member of our Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club. She gives back so much to the community and this is our chance to pay them back. Message me with questions or details.

 

Grateful to support the Elgin Salvation Army 2024 Civic Awards Luncheon at Villa Olivia. We had 7 of our Rotary club members participate!

 

Our Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club was grateful to be acknowledged this morning for our donation of gymnasium equipment for the kids to use at the Elgin Salvation Army location on Douglas Ave.

 

We couldn't be more proud to have accomplished packing 30,200 Meals for Ukraine Wednesday night at the Salvation Army. We had over 12 Rotary Clubs represented, the St Edward Interact Club, and a host of community volunteers working together. Thanks to the Elgin Salvation Army for hosting us at their facility, Feed6 and Convoy of Hope for their help. This is just one of the many types of projects; local and international, Rotary initiates. Go check out your local Rotary club!

Rotary Club Lviv International

 

This is the big night when 10 local Rotary Clubs, St Edward Interact Club, and many community volunteers come together to pack 30,000 pasta & noodle meals to serve Ukrainian refugees.

This is the big night when 10 local Rotary Clubs, St Edward Interact Club, and many community volunteers come together to pack 30,000 pasta & noodle meals to serve Ukrainian refugees.

 

Watch video https://www.facebook.com/ElginBreakfastRotaryClub/videos/714677030547545/

Great Elgin Breakfast Rotary morning with lots of guests joining us to hear Elgin Mayor David Kaptain give us an Elgin update. Our club needs the first Thursday of each month at the Elgin Country Club 7:30 AM. We do lots of good things in the community and if you would like to volunteer with us, please reach out.

 

Join our Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club for a Community Mental Health Panel moderated by Michelle Exquivel, Executive Director of the Wellchild Center. Panelist are Bernie May, Family Service Association, Mariah Kuick, Ecker Center – Lore Baker, Association for Individual Development, and Amanda Teachout, Hanover Township Community Mental Health Board. Our club meets the first Thursday of each month, 7:15am, at the Elgin Country Club. The public is welcome to join us and enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast.

 

https://www.facebook.com/ElginBreakfastRotaryClub/videos/2090632921270492/

“I can see my house from the Algonquin Rotary Club meeting!” And helping with last minute preparations for their big Algonquin Harvest Market 2023 event this Saturday on Main Street with over 50 vendors. Come on out!

 

 

It was a Club Make-Up today at the Advocate Sherman Soirée. Rotarians were well represented and proud to support the hospital music therapy program.

Our Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club gathered to support Viator and the Dream Hall this morning. Reporter Kye Martin Channel 5 News was onsite for a segment on local coffee shops.

 

Our club was grateful to serve food today during the Washington Elementary Back to School Party. This way the teachers had more time to spend getting to know students and their parents. Our Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club performs at least one local service project a month. Let us know if your organization could use a helping hand!

 

 

Meet author Kevin O'connor discuss his book about growing up in Elgin above a funeral home "Two floors above Grief." Plus we are recognizing our Scholarship and Rotary Youth Leadership Academy students. Join us the first Thursday morning 7:15am of each month at the Elgin Country Club for a complimentary breakfast and interesting speakers.

We still have another $1,000 Vocational Scholarship available for students of any age enrolled in a certificate program. Typically this would apply for students in programs like automotive, HVAC, truck driving, etc. and most of our applicants are at Elgin Community College. The application short and simple - message us and we will forward you an application.

 

Rotary Clubs join together to learn and socialize. Tonight we mixed with these clubs:

 

 

For the past eight years, I have shared my journey of a brain cancer diagnosis. As I begin my ninth year of survivorship, we have as a family an extra incentive to fund raise for research. I have always had my family and so many friends by my side. My father “Arnie” has been so steadfast in his support and love. Unfortunately, he has also been diagnosed with Glioblastoma, in February of this year. He has been through surgery and is beginning chemotherapy and radiation. He will celebrate his 92nd birthday this June. I thought I was a strong individual but to see him face this is amazing. I began at age 57 to tackle the challenge before me. I can’t imagine how this feels to him. So as we bring back KARR’s Kure for the Melon, please join us on April 30th at Maggie Daley Park for the 2023 ABTA 5K Run/Walk. If you can’t attend, we would love your support to kick this disease to the curb! Enjoy the ABTA photos over the years. Here is the link to our Team: https://give.abta.org/team/496197

A special shout out to the wonderful doctors and team members at the Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at Northwestern

 

Our speaker this morning is Kelly Howell, an Epidemiologist and Planning and Information Management director at the Kane County Health Department. Join us the first Thursday of each month, 7:15am, at the Elgin County Club for interesting speakers.

 

Our special guest at our first Thursday meeting was Elgin Mayor Kaptain. Our speaker was Daniel Haslett, RN, ASH ED Manager at Sherman Hospital. He updated us on the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program of which our Rotary Club is a sponsor. Daniel provided us an overview of the very specific training on the proper forensic methods of examining and identifying a potential victim. Sexual assault and human trafficking is a very real issue in our community. Join us the first Thursday of each month in-person 7:15am at the Elgin Country Club and enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast. You can also join us via Zoom or Facebook Live.

 

  

Our speaker today is Daniel Haslett, RN, ASH ED Manager at Sherman Hospital. He will update us on the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program of which our Rotary Club is a sponsor. Daniel will provide an overview of the very specific training on the proper forensic methods of examining and identifying a potential victim. Sexual assault and human trafficking is a very real issue in our community. Join us the first Thursday of each month in-person 7:15am at the Elgin Country Club and enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast. You can also join us via Zoom or Facebook Live.

 

Sexual Assault and human trafficking are still a serious problem in our community. Join our club Thursday morning 7:15am at the Elgin Country Club for a casual program featuring Daniel Haslett, RN, ASH ED MANAGER at Sherman Hospital. She will update us on the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program of which our Rotary Club is a sponsor. Daniel will provide an overview of the very specific training on the proper forensic methods of examining and identifying a potential victim. Enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast. Message me if you would like a link to join our meeting via zoom.

 

Our club members enjoy volunteering at the food pantry. Along with dozens of other community volunteers and a few staff, Food For Greater Elgin provides an invaluable service to thousands. If you feel compelled, they are always looking for more volunteers and supporters.

 

 

I’ve been a member of The Elgin Breakfast Rotary (EBRC) for 29 years. I served as community service chair   spearheading the Salvation Army bell ringing events and also becoming the queen of duck sales for the Elgin Boys and Girl's Club. As the international chair I wrote two international grants. One to set up a school in Pakistan, and the other to set up water tanks and pumps in a desert area of Pakistan.
I served as president of the club in 2018-19. In 2021 I wrote a district scholarship  grant which helped to send an Advocate Sherman Hospital nurse to be trained as a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner which helped shed the light on human trafficking problems.
Rotary has provided me with the tools and the platform to accomplish good things in my community and around the world. I am grateful for the support of my fellow Rotarian’s and for their wholehearted efforts to support these projects. The fellowship and friendships that have developed over the years is immeasurable. If you want to get a job done well, look to EBRC to accomplish it.

It’s always nice to visit our fellow Rotary club’s and find out what all they are up to in their communities and rekindle old friendships. Today I visited the Algonquin Rotary Club and was so impressed with all the good things they are doing in town. If you want to be part of a fine group of people who get together have fun and help out their community at the same time, you could not find a better club.
Rotary International
Rotary Public Image
Rotary District 6440

Rotarians having fun ringing the bells with the The Salvation Army Elgin Corps and Community Center Red Kettles at the Larkin Jewel yesterday. Thanks to so many for donating!

New Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club member & City Councilman Steve Thorne and Rotary Club President & Salvation Army Development Director Rick Reigner attend the Elgin Chamber Thanksgiving Luncheon at ECC on 23rd November 2022.

Rotarians have fun! And we must be smart too - because we made it out of the Sherlock Holmes and DaVinci escape rooms! Rotary District 6440 Rotary International

 

 

This is one way Rotarians get our exercise…. Highway Clean-Up! We cleaned up our stretch of Shales Parkway between Route 19 and Route 20. Thanks to all the cars honking as they passed…. I assume thanking us? How do you like our new Rotary Volunteer Vests? Rotary International Rotary District 6440 Rotary Public Image

 

 

Proud to support friend and fellow Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club member, Mike Warren and the Three Fires Council, Boy Scouts of America. Thank you for your service and great to see a room full of our friends. We need to do this more often! Rotary International Rotary District 6440 Rotary 6440 Public Image Elgin Academy

 

Please come to the Larkin Avenue - Jewel Foods Store Saturday, December 10th between 10am and 6pm to donate in our little red kettle. Our Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club is proud to participate and support the Salvation Army in its primary fundraising event of the year. This week was the kick-off event at the Gail Borden Public Library. The history of the kettle and the Salvation Army is amazing.

 

I truly enjoy being a member of the Breakfast Rotary Club and participating in the service projects,  events, and social activities with my fellow club members. We are "people of action" and committed to addressing challenges in our community and around the world. My experience with the club played a role in my decision to pursue becoming Governor for our District. I am happy to say that I will be serving as District Governor, and proudly representing the Elgin Breakfast Club as their first Governor, in 2026-2027. If you are interested in making a difference and looking for a great group of men and women to work and have fun with, come join us. We have been growing over the past two years and welcome you to join the journey! 

It's time for our Annual Ray Kriske Memorial $5,000 Raffle to benefit community projects. Send a message for your $100 ticket or click on the link below. We will sell no more than 125. You do not need to be present to win - but you are welcome to join us July 14th for the drawing. Dinner tickets to the Hogg Roast at the Golf Club of Illinois, Algonquin are $35. Thank you for supporting this event that has helped many! To pay with credit card online click here: https://bit.ly/Rotary5000

 

Our Elgin Breakfast Rotary club member Nand Belani (pictured below with his wife Dr Bharati), initiated a Rotary project to purchase a Mobile Blood Collection van to be used in the very remote villages of Ratlam District, India. Attached photos show the dedication ceremony and local publicity celebrating this new resource. The need is great to collect blood donations in rural areas to help with an ongoing District blood shortage. Before the mobile van, rural villagers would have to take off work, often with no pay, and travel long distances to the one central blood donation center. We applaud Nand and his efforts to navigate the Rotary International grant process, ultimately securing $35,000 in funding from various sources to purchase the van. It is Rotarians like Nand that truly make a difference for so many in our world.