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:

(847) 533-8053

Email:

rotaryohareclub@mac.com

www.greatescaperestaurant.com On the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, we typically meet at 6:00 PM at The Great Escape Restaurant.

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District Site

Venue Map

🚶‍♂️ JOIN US FOR THE WORLD’S LARGEST POLIO WALK! 🌍❤️

The Rotary Club of Chicago-O’Hare invites everyone to join us on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Rosemont Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont, IL.

Together, we can raise awareness, support the fight to end polio, and make a difference in our community!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring your family, friends, and neighbors! Everyone is welcome!

Let's walk together to END POLIO NOW! 💪🌎

#EndPolioNow #RotaryChicagoOHare #RotaryDistrict6450 #PolioWalk #Rosemont #ServiceAboveSelf

Making a Difference, One Meal at a Time! ❤️

During the last week of September, members of the Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare participated in a Feeding Children Worldwide Food Pack at the Leyden Community Center in Franklin Park, coordinated with Eldon Tracey.

Our Rotarians worked together to pack meals for children in need and put Service Above Self into action.

A big thank you to Eldon and everyone who participated!

💙 Want to make a difference? Join us and help serve our community!

Rotary Rose Parade Float

This week, we were pleased to welcome Debi Ross as our guest speaker. Debi gave a wonderful presentation about the Rotary Rose Parade Float and the history behind this special Rotary tradition.

Rotary’s involvement with the Rose Parade dates back to 1923. Through the years, the Rotary float has helped share Rotary’s message of service, fellowship, and making a positive difference in communities around the world.

Debi shared with us what goes into creating the float, the dedication of the many volunteers involved, and how Rotary’s participation in the Rose Parade helps showcase Service Above Self to millions of people.

A Special Visit to the Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare!

Last week, we were honored to welcome Mary Dankowski, Governor of Rotary District 6450, as our guest speaker. She was joined by District Governor-Elect Marshall Schmitt.

Mary shared her vision for the District and discussed important Rotary programs, priorities, and opportunities for the year ahead. It was an informative and inspiring conversation about how Rotary clubs can continue strengthening our communities and expanding our impact through Service Above Self.

We sincerely thank Governor Mary Dankowski and Governor-Elect Marshall Schmitt for joining us and for their leadership and dedication to Rotary.

Barbara LaSpesa Donates $100,000 for New Rotary Scholarship

The Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare is proud to announce a generous $100,000 donation from Barbara LaSpesa to establish the Barbara LaSpesa Rotary Scholarship.

The donation will be invested, and the interest earned will fund yearly scholarships for graduating students from East Leyden and West Leyden High Schools who plan to pursue education or training in the skilled trades.

The scholarships will support students entering fields such as electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, welding, automotive technology, carpentry, construction, manufacturing, and other skilled trades.

We sincerely thank Barbara for her generosity and commitment to education. Her gift will help local students build successful careers and brighter futures for many years to come.

August Guest Speaker: Bryan McDonald

During the last week of August, we welcomed Bryan McDonald of On Purpose Growth as our guest speaker. Bryan shared valuable insights from his 26-year sales career and his experience helping entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Thank you, Bryan, for an excellent presentation!

What a Wonderful Month for the Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare

July was filled with great meetings, inspiring speakers, and special guests.

We welcomed Barbara La Spesa, who shared her experience in marketing and advertising; Erin Burns from My Joyful Heart, who spoke about supporting children in need; and Brett H. Weiss of the Weiss Scholarship Foundation, who shared his work providing educational opportunities to underserved youth in Kenya.

We were also delighted to welcome student visitors from Italy and Alaska.

On August 6, Rich Tatara spoke about Rotary’s theme, “Create Lasting Impact,” and District 6450 Governor Mary Dankowski’s campaign to inspire Rotarians to make a lasting difference.

Thank you to all our speakers, guests, and Rotarians who made these weeks so special!

Honoring Leadership and Service at Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare

Today at the Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare, we recognized two outstanding members for their dedication and achievements.
We sincerely thanked our Past President, Masuo Ishida, for his exceptional leadership and service during the 2025–2026 Rotary year. We were also honored to present the Paul Harris Fellow Award to Andrew Sharos, Chief Financial Officer at Leyden High School District 212. Andrew has worked with schools and organizations in more than 30 states, helping teachers and school leaders build strong cultures of success. He is also the author of the Amazon best-selling book All 4s and 5s: A Guide to Teaching and Leading AP Programs, which has sold over 10,000 copies.
We are proud to have both Masuo and Andrew as valued members of our Rotary family. Congratulations, and thank you for making a difference in our club and our community!
Congratulations to both of them, and thank you for your commitment to Service Above Self.

HAPPY 4th of JULY

A Great Day for Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare

Today, we proudly installed Nasko Ivanov as the 2026–2027 President of the Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare. The installation ceremony was led by Rotary International Director Pat Merryweather-Arges, making the occasion even more special. We also expressed our sincere appreciation to Mas Ishida for his outstanding leadership over the past year. Thank you, Mas, for your dedication and the fabulous job you have done for our club. We are also excited to welcome our two newest members, Joan Golembiewski and Christopher Sieczka, to our Rotary family. We look forward to serving our community together and continuing to live by Rotary's motto: Service Above Self. Congratulations to everyone, and here's to a fantastic year of fellowship, service, and making a positive impact!

Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare Annual Golf Outing a Great Success

On Thursday, June 11, the Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare held its Annual Golf Outing and Fundraiser at Makray Memorial Golf Club. Thanks to the incredible support of our sponsors, golfers, guests, and volunteers, we raised approximately $25,000 to support our local and international service projects. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a great success. Together, we continue to live Rotary's motto: Service Above Self.

Welcoming Peter Volpe, President of the Grand Chamber by O'Hare

On May 21, 2006, our guest speaker was Peter Volpe, President of the Grand Chamber by O'Hare. The Grand Chamber by O’Hare serves the community by promoting, supporting, encouraging, and developing local businesses. The Chamber is committed to building cooperation and goodwill among businesses, civic organizations, and residents throughout our established communities.

Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare Participates in Food Packing Event at East Leyden High School

This week, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Chicago O'Hare, led by President Masuo Ishida, participated in a food packing event at East Leyden High School.

In Loving Memory of Glenn Spachman

Our club is saddened by the loss of Glenn Spachman and send our sincere condolences to the Spachman family. Glenn joined our club in October of 1998, was president in 2006-2007, and then served as our treasurer for many many years. He will be missed by many. countrysidefuneralhomes.comGlenn Frank Spachman Obituary April 17, 2026 - Countryside Funeral Homes & Crematory

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Three Outstanding Guest Speakers Today!

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming three distinguished leaders in public safety:

Anthony Hatcher, Fire Chief – Village of Schiller Park
Mark DiCosola, Police Chief – Village of Schiller Park
Brian Goss, Police Chief – Village of Norridge

They shared valuable insights and updates on strategic leadership and the delivery of critical emergency services in our communities.

Thank you to our speakers for an informative and engaging discussion!

Schiller Park: Community Growth, History & Local Impact

Today we had the pleasure of hosting our speakers Terri Sheridan and Joan Golembiewski, who shared valuable insights on programs and contributions benefiting the Leyden and Schiller Park communities. We also heard from several prominent Village trustees about the evolution of Schiller Park—originally incorporated as Kolze in 1914 and renamed in 1926, now home to approximately 11,700 residents. Schiller Park continues to offer a variety of outdoor and community spaces, with a strong focus on family-friendly amenities and scenic nature trails.

Supporting Travelers in Need at Chicago’s Airport

Last week, we welcomed John P. Ishu, Director of Travelers Aid Chicago (part of Heartland Human Care Services). As needs at the airport continue to evolve, Travelers Aid remains committed to providing compassionate support and critical assistance—especially for vulnerable populations—while connecting individuals to a broader network of resources beyond the airport.

Community Food Packing Event with West Leyden Students

On Thursday, March 12th, we held a special Feeding Children Worldwide food packing event at Leyden High School.

Thank you to everyone who participated. Together with the West Leyden High School students, we packed meals that will be sent to the Philippines to help feed street children.

It was a meaningful event and a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together to make a difference.

9th Annual Jack Frawley Golf Tournament

The Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare Foundation is proud to host the 9th Annual Jack Frawley Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the beautiful Makray Memorial Golf Club in Barrington, Illinois. The event will begin with check-in and driving range access at 7:30 a.m., followed by a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start.

This annual tournament brings together community members, business leaders, and Rotary supporters for a great day of golf while raising funds for important local charitable causes. All proceeds from the event support scholarships and community programs benefiting organizations in the O’Hare area.

Participants can register as individual golfers or foursomes, and several sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses wishing to support the event and the Rotary Club’s charitable mission.

We invite golfers, sponsors, and community partners to join us for a day of fellowship, golf, and giving back.

Guest Speaker: Garry Vaccaro – Warm Coats for Cool Kids

At our last meeting, the Rotary Club of Chicago O’Hare had the pleasure of welcoming Garry Vaccaro, President of Warm Coats for Cool Kids, as our guest speaker.

Warm Coats for Cool Kids is a local nonprofit dedicated to providing new winter coats to children in need across the western suburbs of Chicago. Since 2021, they have helped keep many children warm during the winter months. ❤️

Thank you, Garry, for the inspiring presentation and for the wonderful work you and your team do for the community!

Student Opportunities with Rotary Youth Exchange

Today we were honored to have Aleta Williams, District Youth Exchange Chair, as our guest speaker. She spoke about the Rotary Youth Exchange program, supported by Rotary International, which provides incredible opportunities for students.

The Youth Exchange program has two primary goals: to promote international goodwill and understanding, and to give students the opportunity to study abroad for one year while experiencing a new culture and building lifelong connections.

Rotary District 6450 Grants Presentation – Guest Speaker Charles R. Newman

Our guest speaker for the second week of February was Charles R. Newman, District 6450 Grants Chair, who spoke about Global and District Grants.

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.