Home Page | Rotary Club of Chicago-O'Hare

The Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare Welcomes You

Our Rotary Club Chartered January 8, 1973

We meet In Person & Online

Thursdays at 12:00 p.m.

The Great Escape

In person and Zoom
9540 Irving Park Road
Schiller Park, IL 60176
United States of America

Phone:

(773) 307-9687

Email:

rotaryohareclub@mac.com

www.greatescaperestaurant.com/

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District Site

Venue Map

Staying Safe and Independent at Home

Our January 22, 2026 guest speaker was Julee Lockard, MS, OTR/L, owner of Just Right at Home, a Chicagoland occupational therapy and aging-in-place consulting practice. She helps individuals and families stay safe, independent, and confident at home.

Tax Updates & Insights for 2025

Today at the Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare, our guest speaker, Jennifer Haws, CPA and Tax Principal at Oak Financial Inc., shared valuable insights on the impact of tax accounts and provided important updates on new IRS provisions for the 2025 tax year.

Holiday Cheer with the Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare

Our Rotary Club enjoyed a wonderful holiday dinner at The Great Escape Restaurant. Members brought thoughtful gifts and took part in a fun White Elephant exchange, and some even joined the Ugly Sweater Contest. Our group truly knows how to have a good time! Wishing a joyful Holiday season and a Happy New Year to our members, partners, and supporters.

Guest Speaker Highlights: Mr. Hamid Akbari and Mayor Bradley A. Stephens

Today at the Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare, our guest speaker was Mr. Hamid Akbari from International Servant Leaders. Mr. Akbari is the co-founder and president of the International Servant Leaders Museum, located in Morton Grove, Illinois—the only museum in the world dedicated to celebrating servant leadership on a global scale. The museum serves as a place for reflection, education, and inspiration.

We were also honored to welcome a special guest, the Mayor of Rosemont, Mr. Bradley A. Stephens.

Charitable Work Presentation by Pastors Vlad Georgiev and Stan Tanev at Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare

Today at the Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare, our guest speakers, Pastors Vlad Georgiev and StanTanev from NEW LIFE Church, shared an inspiring presentation about their charitable work in both the United States and Bulgaria.

Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare – Day of Service with Feeding Children Worldwide

On October 30th, 2025, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare and friends joined together to pack meals for the Feeding Children Worldwide – Food Pack: A Day of Service event.

Guest Speaker: Nicholas A. Walny

In the third week of September, we welcomed Nicholas A. Walny, Economic Development Director for Franklin Park. He spoke about private development and infrastructure upgrades, highlighting efforts to attract businesses, support growth, and enhance community life.

Honored Guests: Tariq Karim and Chad Meyers

In the last week of September, we were honored to welcome Mr. Tariq Karim, Consul General of Pakistan, and Mr. Chad Meyers, Village President/Mayor of Schiller Park, who were invited by our fellow Rotarian Anjam Aziz.

Special Guest Visit: District Governor Bonnie Sanchez-Carlson

In the second week of September 2025, we had the honor of hosting Bonnie Sanchez-Carlson, District 6450 Governor for 2025–2026, who spoke about the development of our district and Rotary Foundation projects.

Joanne Bollinger Shares WISE Zambia’s Impact

On the first Thursday of September 2025, our guest speaker was Joanne Bollinger, a member of the Lewiston-Auburn RC in Maine. As Board Co-Chair of WISE Zambia, an educational nonprofit, she travels the U.S. sharing its story of impact in rural Zambia—an inspiring and hopeful message.

August Guest Speaker: Mary Beth Beiersdorf of Salute, Inc.

Our guest speaker on the third Thursday of August was Mary Beth Beiersdorf of Salute, Inc., a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to providing financial, physical, and emotional support to injured military service members, veterans, and their families.

Honoring Past President Sylvia Jewgieniew and Welcoming Guest Speaker Carla Escobar

During the second week of August 2025, our President, Masuo Ishida, recognized Past President Sylvia Jewgieniew for her dedicated efforts in promoting the principles of Rotary International and strengthening our club. We also welcomed guest speaker Carla Escobar, Regional Membership Officer for Membership Development, who shared valuable insights on Rotary club models and membership growth.

Guest Speaker Frank Holthouse Highlights Volunteer Opportunities with Young Hearts for Life

During the third week of July 2025, our president Masuo Ishida welcomed guest speaker Frank Holthouse from Leyden High School. Mr. Holthouse spoke about the Young Hearts for Life organization and shared information about volunteer opportunities.

New Rotary Year Begins: Welcoming President Masuo Ishida and Honored Guests

The new Rotary year began on July 1st. This week, during our meeting ceremony, we had the honor of welcoming special guests - Mayor/Village President Chad Meyers and the entire Board of Trustees of Schiller Park. President Sylvia Jewgieniew passed the leadership torch to our new President, Masuo Ishida. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mas and wish him great success on leading our club. Mas, you have the full support of all our members. Congratulations!

Our Golf Outing Fundraiser

Today was our annual golf outing fundraiser at Makray Memorial Golf Club in Barrington. Weather was perfect. Our silent auction and 45 different raffle gifts generated lots of participation and much needed revenue to support the many scholarships we award every year. Our committee did a great job in securing so many wonderful items. It was a su

ccessful event and everyone left happy.

President Sylvia Jewgieniew thanks speaker Daniel Summins

Today at the Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare, guest speaker Daniel Summins spoke about Blessing in a Backpack, a nonprofit serving the Chicago area for over 25 years. He has helped raise over $50 million to support children, adults and seniors.

Bob and Boonie Libka. speakers

Dr. Robert Libka, the impact of books donated to the Nepali children.

Bob did a presentation on stills, video clips of Nepali school children, orphans, and a life chat with a teacher in Nepal. An apparent catalyst for a Renaissance in their community building hope, elevating expectations and an immediate increase in school enrollment.

Thank you to Bob and Bonnie Libka!

Devin Over Speaker, Inspire Medical

Today at the Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare, we welcomed Devin Over, Therapy Awareness Manager at Inspire Medical, as our guest speaker. He shared insights on raising awareness about Inspire therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. For those interested, more information can be found in the link in the comments.

Speakers from Friedman Place

Alexander Brown gave our members a presentation on

Friedman Place for Adults who are blind

Friedman Place is a nonprofit Supportive Living Community for adults who are blind. They provide housing and supportive services that emphasize self-determination, independence, and interaction within the community.
Photo is Alexander on the left, President Sylvia in the middle, and his colleague Gwyn Emigh on the right.

Traveler's Aid Presentation

John Ishu gave an in-depth presentation of how Traveler's Aid at O'Hare assists travelers in need. They need volunteers always. Our president, Sylvia (in photo) with John plans to volunteer.

Rotary Holiday Party

Our Rotary Club had a wonderful Holiday dinner at The Great Escape Restaurant. Members brought nice gifts and we exchanged white elephant gifts. Some members were in the Ugly Sweater Contest. Our group knows how to have fun.

Rotary/Rosemont Chamber Event

This afternoon we hosted along with The Great Escape, a Business After Hours Rosemont Chamber Event on the patio of the Great Escape. The buffet spread was delicious. Our Rotary District governor, Rachel Ossyra, gave a short informative presentation to the Rosemont Chamber members about Rotary's start, our mission and all the good we do in the community and the world. It was a great weather day and a successful event.

Our bi-annual food pack at Leyden Township

Twice a year, our Rotary Club members sponsor a food pack at Leyden Township, a space provided by our member Melissa Bukovatz. Eldon Tracy heads Feeding Children Worldwide. He brings all the ingredients for our members to pack. We packed a total of 360 packages which provides 2160 meals. 4 boxes were donated to the Leyden Township Food Pantry and the others were shipped to the Philippines.

Save Abandoned Babies Foundation

Charley Cranmer & Diane Jannetto were our speakers today. Our President Sylvia Jewgieniew thanks them (photo)

Save Abandoned Babies and Illinois Baby Safe Haven LawThe Save Abandoned Babies Foundation helps spread awareness of the Safe Haven law – allowing a parent to safely relinquish their newborn to a person at a Police Station (including Campus Police), Fire Station, Hospital or Emergency Medical Facility with no questions asked. Tell a friend. Talk about it. You might save a life. saveabandonedbabies.org

Our speaker today was Cory Goodrich

Today, our guest speaker was Cory Goodrich—an actress, artist, author, and musician. She presented her book Folksong: A Ballad of Death, Discovery, and DNA. Great story - can't wait to read the book.