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Buffalo Grove Rotary proudly hosted a second Mobile Food Pantry this year, in partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, on Saturday, June 5 at Mike Rylko Park. The first Mobile Food Pantry took place January 30 and was funded by the club and served 200 families. The most recent event was made possible by a generous, and anonymous, Buffalo Grove resident. The Rotary club provided 21 volunteers and were humbled to serve nearly 100 individuals in need of food. Cars filed in off of McHenry Road and drove through the parking lot in front of the Spray ‘N Play as Rotarians loaded food and other household items.

Are you interested in making a difference in your community? If so, consider learning more about the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club and how we impact the world locally, and internationally. Our motto is ‘Service Above Self’. Be our guest for lunch! Email info@bgrotary.org.

Golf Outing with Special Leisure Services Foundation Set for August 11, 2021

Join the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove and Special Leisure Services Foundation on August 11, 2021 to support recreational programs for children and adults with disabilities. Golfers will enjoy lunch, dinner, and drinks along with 18 holes at the beautiful Arboretum Golf Club. All proceeds will support Special Leisure Services Foundation (SLSF), the fundraising arm of Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) and the Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove. NWSRA provides recreational programs so that children and adults with disabilities have the opportunity to have fun, make friends, be included, go new places, learn new things and celebrate their lives.

If you would like to avoid paying the online fees, please contact Megan O'Brien at 847-392-2848, ext. 267 or e-mail megano@slsf.me to register, sponsor or donate today!

Several Members of Our Club Receive Multiple Paul Harris Recognitions

At our April 29th meeting, several of our club members were awarded multiple Paul Harris recognitions that acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations to Dane, Ryan and Dan S. who became Paul Harris Fellows for the second time, to Steve K. who became a fellow for the fourth time and to Rob who became a fellow for the eighth and ninth time. Thank you so much for supporting Rotary's humanitarian and educational programs.

Planting at Green Lake Park Event Was Successful

Thanks to the 13 members of our club, to District Governor Lyle and his wife Ann Marie and to two members of the Wheeling Club who volunteered on May 8 at Green Lake Park. Over 2,000 native plants, shrubs, bulbs and bare roots are now going to enhance this park and attract pollinators, build healthy soils and improve water quality in the lake. We had 50 volunteers including our Rotarians, members of the Buffalo Grove Environmental Action Team, the Buffalo Grove Garden Club, scouts and neighbors who joined together in community spirit to complete the project.

Our Club Sponsored a Mobile Food Pantry on Jan. 31st

From the Daily Herald:

A mobile pantry sponsored by the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club met its goal of feeding 200 families Saturday afternoon at Mike Rylko Park in Buffalo Grove. Luckily, no one had to be turned away.

The first 100 cars in line received a hot meal provided by The Continental Restaurant in addition to groceries that included meat, milk, eggs, cereal, potatoes, carrots and other staple food items provided by the Northern Illinois Food Bank.

The food was packed and distributed by 28 volunteers, including 13 club members. Vehicles started lining up at 1:30 p.m., a half-hour before the event began.

By 3:30 p.m., the last box of food was loaded into the last vehicle's trunk.

"While it was a chilly day outside for our volunteers, it was heartwarming to see everyone working together to serve others who are experiencing challenges," said Buffalo Grove Rotary Club President Melanie Santostefano.

Club member Shannon O'Connor initially brought the idea of sponsoring a mobile pantry to the club and took the lead on organizing the event. She thanked the food bank, the restaurant, police and the park district for their parts in making the event possible.

Buffalo Grove Village Manager Dane Bragg and his son Wade help out Saturday at the mobile food pantry sponsored by the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club. Image may contain: 1 person, outdoor Image may contain: one or more people, sky, outdoor and closeup Image may contain: tree, sky and outdoor

A Message from Club President Melanie Santostefano

Hello!

My goal for our club for this coming year is to engage the Buffalo Grove community in as many ways as we can! That could mean bringing in new members or volunteers, recipients of our fundraising and good works, and even sponsors to help us achieve our goals for giving back. If you are interested in making a difference and making connections with individuals who are impacting our world locally and globally – Rotary is something you should investigate! I invite you to join our club as a guest on Thursdays – we meet from 12:15 pm – 1:30 pm on Zoom currently, due to the pandemic. When we can safely do this again, we normally would meet for lunch weekly…. we are all waiting for normal to come back!

While COVID-19 has changed some of the ways that we function as a club, it has not stopped our commitment to our causes. We remain steadfast in continuing to raise funds for, and supporting our Community Grants for organizations that are impacting the Buffalo Grove community, scholarships for young people and individuals who are looking to attend a four-year university, as well as go into public service (emergency services) and the trades. Our outreach touches individuals who are in-need, through reading to young children, delivering Thanksgiving food baskets to in-need families, structured activities for the developmentally disabled and more – and that is just a snapshot of our local impacts as there are many more.

Globally, Rotary is involved in the fight to end polio, ensure there is clean drinking water for third world countries, and we go on mission trips to Guatemala to help build infrastructure, schools, and more.

If you want to feel a part of something bigger than yourself and get involved in activities that are helping others – Rotary just may be for you! Email info@bgrotary.org for more information, and or message us through our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BuffaloGroveRotary/.

Melanie Santostefano

2020-2021 President

Buffalo Grove Rotary Club

2020 Installation of Officers Held Virtually June 25th

Congratulations to Past President Bill Donahue and the Board for the successful year that our club had in spite of the pandemic challenge. Our newly installed District Governor Lyle presided over our virtual installation of the new officers on June 25th. Installed were:

President Melanie Santostefano
Co-Presidents Elect Brett Robinson and Lisa Siwek
Co-Secretaries Leslie Forman and Chad Waynee
Treasurer Brian Shepard

Directors Dane Bragg, Eric Smith and Miriam Campbell
Past President Bill Donahue

The following Milestone Club Service Awards were given:

Mike Rylko - 35 years
Martha Weiss - 20 years

Quintin Sleigh - 10 years

Shawn Collins - 5 years

Bill Donahue - 5 years

Josh Brand - 5 years

The following club members were recognized:

Perfect Attendance Award - Glenn Meier and Lisa Siwek

Distinguished Member Award - Rob Seitz

Community Service Award - Shawn Collins

International Service Award - Steve Koebernick

Youth Leadership Award - Leslie Forman

Service Above Self Award - Dane Bragg

Dennis Gilbert Rotarian of the Year - Shannon O'Connor

Congratulations to all!

Dedication of Rotary Pier and the Bench for Dennis Gilbert

Thank you to all of the members who attended the June 13 dedication of the fishing pier and the trees that our club provided donations toward, and the bench in honor of Dennis Gilbert in Green Lake Park. We had great club representation and many of Dennis' family members attended who appreciated the tribute to him. Dennis was a very active member of our club, a loyal friend to many, and he is missed.

You Can Help End Polio

Did you know that your local Rotary Club of Buffalo Grove provides annual support to the End Polio Now initiative? Through local fundraising efforts, we have increased our contribution to $2,000 annually to eradicate polio on the planet. To find out more about this global initiative and how you can help, visit the End Polio Now web page!