Visit Us On Thursday Mornings!
Today's program was presented by our guest speaker, Vitaliy Bedrodnov of Rotary Children's Fund. Founded in 2003, RCF is part of a larger organization (Golden Gates) which is an International Culture Exchange program for young artists and musicians. The program recruits students from public schools and public art centers throughout the United States and Internationally, and offers them the ability to share their talents to audiences worldwide. In addition to traveling and sharing their talents and skills, students that are selected to participate are given the rare opportunity to be cultural ambassadors of their country and to learn more about the people of the countries they visit. As stated by Vitaliy, "The program has been building bridges across cultures through music and dance for more than a decade." The Golden Gates Project has been primarily self-sustaining along with funds provided through RCF. To learn more about this program and their tour schedule, visit their website at http://www.rotarychildrensfund.org/ or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RotaryCF/
Rotary District 6440 and The Coalition of Rotary Clubs of McHenry County are teaming with local Rotary Clubs to “get the word out” to friends, families and residents in their respective communities about COVID-19. The goal is to provide locations where individuals can get information about the virus and opportunities to enroll to receive notification when their Priority Group is eligible for scheduling an appointment to receive the vaccine. Information about the priority groups can be found on the Health Department for McHenry County’s website.
Individuals are being encouraged to contact their doctor for advice about getting the vaccination. The Health Department stresses that it provides information about the virus, not recommendations. Other options for getting COVID-19 information and registering for the vaccine include hospitals; Northwestern Medicine, Mercy Health and Advocate Aurora Health as well as local pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens.
In addition, the Coalition is encouraging individuals to consider volunteering to assist at one of the clinics that will be administering the shots. Four volunteers are needed for every medical person giving the vaccinations to help with registration, escorting patients and other logistical duties. Volunteer opportunities can be found on the Health Department of McHenry County’s website under the “Emergency Preparedness and Response” link. More information on the Medical Reserve Corps can be found at that location, as well as a Volunteer Application.
McHenry County Police Charities Treasurer, Mike Foley, receives a check from the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove, presented by Rotarian, Chief Patrick Finlon. Individual Rotary Club members contributed to "Shop With A Cop", and the Club donated $500 making the total $1125.00. The presentation took place on January 10, 2021 at the Crystal Lake Wal-Mart just prior to shopping. Members of the Cary Police Department shopped with 10 children from five Cary families.
Sam Tenuto of Pioneer Center for Human Services was our guest at this morning's zoom meeting. Sam gave the club a quick overview of the new 70 bed facility that is being constructed for McHenry County PADS. The facility is not yet complete, but is currently being used on a limited basis. Fundraising for a commercial kitchen that will accommodate the preparation of meals for the residents is almost complete. This is a major goal as it will also be used to teach residents food preparation skills that can be utilized when relocating from the facility. Funds are also needed for additional projects being considered.
While most perceive PADS as being for adults only, there is also a need to provide shelter to families with children. The program at PADS is not a permanent solution, but is designed to give temporary assistance and training to allow residents to become self-sustaining. In their GoFundMe video, Carrie Freund reminds us that "most of us are one life event away from being homeless ourselves." To learn more about this effort, visit their website at https://www.pioneercenter.org/homeless-services/mchenry-county-pads/
The Rotary Club of Cary-Grove has resumed to meetings via ZOOM for it's regular meetings. The third meeting of the month is generally held at a rotating location. Our regularly scheduled meetings will be held Thursday mornings at 7:30 AM via ZOOM. If you are interested in participating in one of our meetings, please contact Club President, Phil Stanko, at 847-639-5443 or email pstanko@ameritech.net. Please stay well as we navigate through these unchartered waters.
Earlier this year, the Village of Cary announced its partnership with The Rotary Club of Cary-Grove in the development of a new park, "Cary Lake at Rotary Park". The Rotary Club is pleased to announce that it has begun soliciting donations for the construction of a picnic shelter that will be located near the main parking area of this facility. The pavilion will provide another feature to the park for the benefit of everyone that visits for many years to come. The estimated cost of this project is $70,000. The club is seeking the support of community members and local business owners in order to bring this to a quick, successful completion. Contributions are being accepted at the Club's Go Fund Me Page: http://gf.me/u/y6kq5f.
Project updates will be posted to our website and FaceBook page as construction at the site progresses.
Rotary International will be celebrating World Polio Day on October 24th. Through the generosity of club member, Dave Miller and Bernie, of Liberty Outdoor Advertising, the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove has installed an outdoor sign at the entrance of Lake Julian Trout Farm to bring public awareness to this occasion. The sign is located at Route 14 and Jandus Road and is visible to traffic headed in both directions.
To learn more about total eradication, visit Rotary International's website.
District Governor Lyle Staab announced today that Dr. Tunji Funsho, the chair of Rotary’s polio eradication program in Nigeria, was named to TIME Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2020 in recognition of his and our work. Funsho told TIME: “The polio eradication program in Nigeria has gone through some difficult times, but I never once doubted that this day would come.” He added: “One thing I know for certain, is if Nigeria could eliminate the wild poliovirus, any country can eliminate it.”
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This year, Rotary’s International President Mark Maloney has asked Clubs to Unite People, Take Action and strive for achievements that support Rotary’s strategic priorities. 2019/20 District 6440 Governor Suzanne Gibson’s Vibrant Club Challenge is aligned with these priorities and recognizes the work and commitment that clubs throughout the District have invested in connecting the world and becoming people of action.
Each year, local rotary clubs set new goals and objectives that align with those of their District and Rotary International. Activities are varied and are concentrated on Rotary's Five Avenues of Service; Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International Service, and Youth Service. Yesterday, our President, Chuck Barrett, was notified that The Rotary Club of Cary-Grove has achieved this award.
Congratulations to Chuck for his leadership and direction of club activities during a difficult year as we and all rotary clubs dealt with the challenges presented by COVID-19.
Interact students Teagan Hayes, Abby Williams and Luke Eleftheriou were at our meeting this morning and gave an overview of their activities during Random Acts of Kindness day. Please watch the video that was put together showcasing their activities.
Our guest speaker today was Chris Freeman, Chapter President for the Cary Area Sleep In Heavenly Peace Chapter. Through the use of volunteers, SHP, a not-for-profit organization, constructs handcrafted beds for children and families that would not otherwise have one.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace was founded in 2012 and is the only charity providing hand-made bunk beds to children who don’t have beds of their own. Constructed entirely by volunteers and funded through contributions, Chris’ chapter provides those in need in the McHenry County Area. A bed cost $175 to construct, which includes the materials, mattress and bedding. Although his chapter is brand new, only recently being founded, he has already held a “build day” and has constructed and delivered ten beds. He is looking to have another build day in mid-March and is looking for volunteers who would like to invest their time and talent to make 20 new beds at that event. By his own confession, Chris is more of a “doer” than a media guy, but he has managed to put together a very fashionable FaceBook page @SHPBeds.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace was founded in 2012 and is the only charity providing hand-made bunk beds to children who don’t have beds of their own. Constructed entirely by volunteers and funded through contributions, Chris’ chapter provides those in need in the McHenry County Area. A bed cost $175 to construct, which includes the materials, mattress and bedding. Although his chapter is brand new, only recently being founded, he has already held a “build day” and has constructed and delivered ten beds. He is looking to have another build day in mid-March and is looking for volunteers who would like to invest their time and talent to make 20 new beds at that event. By his own confession, Chris is more of a “doer” than a media guy, but he has managed to put together a very fashionable FaceBook page @SHPBeds.
Today's program was presented by Jennifer Kolarczyk, Events and Marketing Manager for Home of the Sparrow. Jennifer updated the membership of some of the many programs supported by Home of the Sparrow for residents located in and around McHenry County. She also discussed a couple of fundraising events that will be taking place in the next couple of months. Their Hope Casino Night Benefit will be held on Friday, April 3rd at the Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake, and its Celebration of Women Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, May 8th at Boulder Ridge Country Club. Registration for both of these events is available on their website.
Bill Gates announced his continued support toward the eradication of polio and his partnership with Rotary. Click here to see a short video of that announcement.
Members of the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove present a check to the Cary-Grove Food Pantry, located at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church in Cary. Funds for the presentation were raised at the Club's "Steak Fry", which was held at Cary's "Main Street Fest" this past September. A special thanks to all those who attended that event, which made this donation possible.
Several club members were present at the ribbon cutting ceremony for "Cary Lake at Rotary Park" last Tuesday. The membership is excited about this partnership with the village and looks forward to seeing the site developed over the next several years. Chuck has asked for volunteers to serve on a committee that will make recommendations and identify probable enhancements for the park.
Congratulations, Cindy! Maybe I should say Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove. It is with great excitement that we welcome our newest member, Cindy Finlon. Cindy is well known to the membership and has already contributed much to the organization. Welcome aboard!
It is with great pride that the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove announces the induction of two new members: Marisol Adamo, sponsored by Sue Maifield and Edwin Connelly, transferring Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Rolling Meadows, sponsored by Dave Miller. Both are welcome assets to our club.
Bill Gates was the guest speaker at the Joint Rotary District Conference in Spokane Washington. Follow this link to his blog where he has the entire text of what he had to say.
Our guest speaker this morning was Dr. Margaret Stefani from Pediatric Associates of Barrington. Dr. Stefani spoke to the membership about the health benefits of teaching children at a very young age to wear a helmet when riding a bike. A bicyclist herself, she encourages parents to be the role model for their children by wearing helmets when they ride. She is so passionate about this that she has offered to pay her own children $1,000 if she is ever caught riding without one.
Nationally, there are over one thousand bicycle related deaths annually, and over 50 thousand people are hospitalized as a result of bike accidents, a cost to the health industry of over $2 billion. Children and teens account for 60% of these accidents. Head injuries are the most prominent result of these incidents and most of them can be prevented by wearing a helmet. In fact, statistics have shown that 70% of these injuries could be prevented by a properly fitted helmet. Yet, just 40-48% of children admit to wearing them.
To help combat this, Dr. Stefani has teamed with the local Police Departments of Cary, Fox River Grove and Crystal Lake to help promote the idea of safe bicycling. Children seen riding their bikes while wearing a helmet are stopped by the Police Officers and presented a gift certificate from sponsoring local companies. While still relatively new, the program is gaining awareness. According to Police Chief Finlon, when kids see a patrol officer approaching, they point to their helmets. Can't get much better than that. Thank you, Dr. Stefani for your concern and passion surrounding this important issue.
Elizabeth Kessler, Executive Director for the McHenry County Conservation District, was the guest speaker this Elizabeth Kessler, Executive Director for the McHenry County Conservation District, was the guest speaker this morning at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove. Shawna Flavell, Executive Director for the McHenry County Conservation Foundationwas also present at the meeting. Founded in 1971, MCCD established a mission of "Sustaining the Dream" by becoming stewards of the places we love in McHenry County. Nearly fifty years later, that dream still motivates the staff and volunteers that nurture the 25,000 plus acres that make up the district. at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove. Shawna Flavell, Executive Director for the McHenry County Conservation Foundation was also present at the meeting. Founded in 1971, MCCD established a mission of "Sustaining the Dream" by becoming stewards of the places we love in McHenry County. Nearly fifty years later, that dream still motivates the staff and volunteers that nurture the 25,000 plus acres that make up the district.
At the core of what it does, MCCD works at protecting the environment that local animals and plant species rely on for their habitat. Thirty-four sites are open to the public featuring 105 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of biking trails, 23 fishing ponds, 6 campgrounds, 4 canoe launches, 40 miles of horse trails, and 21 sites with picnic shelters, and a multitude of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Over 500 volunteers help with the maintenance of these properties.
The future activities for MCCD is guided by the McHenry County Citizens' Conservation Bill of Rights. To learn more about volunteer opportunities and how you can support the district, visit their website at http://www.mccdistrict.org.
Members fron The Friends of the Fox River Grove Memorial Library and the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove dedicate the opening of the Little Free Libraries that were installed in Fox River Grove earlier this spring. One is located in Lion’s Park (pictured here), the other is in the Stone Hill Shopping Center located at Routes 22 & 14 in Fox River Grove.
Lots happening in the world of Rotary. Read all about it in The Rotarian Magazine.
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