Currently, we meet the 1st Tuesday of the month at 11:00 A.M. virtually. Please email us for a meeting link at: rotarynorthchicago@gmail.com. We meet the 3rd Thursday of the month at 5:00 P.M., in-person at the address below.
Won't you join me in welcoming Barbara Waller Excutive Director of Cool Leaning Experience. Barbara has joined our Rotary Family and we are happy to have here on our team. Barbara wil be sending us her bio soon but you can check out Cool Learning Experience on thier website. Welcome to the Rotary Barbara. https://www.clewaukegan.org/who-we-are
Born in Chicago, Illinois, her family moved to Henderson, Texas at the age of 3 where she was raised and graduated High School. After attending college where she earned a degree in Education, she enlisted in the Regular Army serving from Sept 1987 until her retirement in June 2008.
Her husband Christopher also served and retired from the Army after 25 years. They live in Highland Park with their three children, AeKacia, Elijah and Christina. Sonja was deployed and served in Saudi Arabia, Mogadishu, Somalia, Iraq (3 tours). She loved serving her numerous and leading and training numerous soldiers who have all had great, successful Army careers.
After retirement, Sonja worked as a Program Support Assistant at Army Community Service in Heidelberg, Germany. She taught Army Family Team Building to military spouses to help guide them in understanding how to navigate being a military spouse and how and why the Army does what it does and how it affects them. This is one of things she is most proud of- being able to help. young Army spouses.
Her family moved from Heidelberg, Germany to Highland Park, IL in 2011 due to her husband being stationed at U.S. Army MEPCOM in North Chicago. Upon his retirement in 2013, they decided to stay and live in Highland Park because they enjoyed working, living and volunteering on the North Shore.
Sonja is currently serving as the Jr. Vice Commander for Highland Park American Legion Post 145. She has also been serving as the President of the Highland Park American Legion Auxiliary Unit 145 since 2017. Sonja has a passion for giving back and being of service to others.
In 2018, Sonja decided to attend Worsham School of Mortuary Science where she obtained her degree and is now working as a Funeral Director/Embalmer. "I take it as an honor with great pleasure and pride in being entrusted to help families at one of the most difficult times of their lives".
Now she looks forward to working and giving back as a Rotarian and has continually lived a life of Service above Self.
Became an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of North Chicago in July 2020. We welcome you. and here is a partial bio: In 2005 citizens elected Leon Rockingham, Jr. Mayor of the City of North Chicago. Leon Rockingham is a lifelong resident of North Chicago, Illinois. He is married to Yvonne Rockingham and graduated from North Chicago Community High School and attended Ohio University. Leon has two daughters, Tameka (Sean) Wilson and Lea (Lamar) Huley. He is a loving and proud grandpa of 5; two granddaughters, Brianna and Terryn and three grandsons, David, Cameron and Lamar, Jr.
Leon is a faithful member of the Mount Sinai Institutional Baptist Church of North Chicago where he serves on the Ushers’ Ministry.
Leon Rockingham is a retired Systems Technician from AT&T with tenure of 31 years. He served as North Chicago’s 4th Ward Alderman for 12 years, from 1989 until 2001. He served as a Commissioner on the East Skokie Drainage District and was a member of the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County and is serving on the Lake County Storm Water Agency, where he returned in 2010 as a Board Member and continues to serve in this capacity to-date.
Dr. Tunji Funsho, chair of Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, joins 100 pioneers, artists, leaders, icons, and titans as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People. TIME announced its 2020 honorees during a 22 September television broadcast on ABC, recognizing Funsho for his instrumental leadership and work with Rotary members and partners to achieve the eradication of wild polio in the African region.
He is the first Rotary member to receive this honor for work toward eradicating polio.
A Rotarian for 35 years, Funsho is a member of the Rotary Club of Lekki, Nigeria, past governor of District 9110, and serves on Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee. Funsho is a cardiologist and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of London. He lives in Lagos, Nigeria with his wife Aisha. They have four children; Habeeb, Kike, Abdullahi and Fatima; and five grandchildren.
TIME 100 comprises individuals whose leadership, talent, discoveries, and philanthropy have made a difference in the world. Past honorees include Bono, the Dalai Lama, Bill Gates, Nelson Mandela, Angela Merkel, Oprah Winfrey, and Malala Yousafzai. This is a repost from the Rotary International Website and not my own writting or work.
Did you know there are 1,035 Homeless Youth living in Lake County Illinois. The Rotary Club of North Chicago wants to help them now! Our goal is to give each youth a new coat along with winter gear, personal items and holiday stockings. Because the weather is getting colder, please consider giving to support this endeavor. It only takes a minute to donate, just click the donate link button now. More info to follow.
The Homeless Youth Initiative - We are engaged to help all 1,035 homeless youth and runaways that live in Lake County, Illinois, including foster children. The goal is to help ensure that each targeted youth has a warm holiday season by the giving of new winter coats and apparel. Initially, we were only going to give “gift stockings”. However, we know these youths could use so much more. Therefore, we are providing Holiday Stockings / Gift Bags filled with PPE, winter essentials, art supplies, food snacks and/or gift cards. The collection for items and donations start October 1st.
Listed below are other essential items needed to help these young people:
Hats (Please, no scarves)
$10 Fast food gift Cards...helps youths by providing a warm meal... McDonalds, Dunkin' Donuts, Taco Bell, etc
$10 Walgreens, CVS or Dollar Tree Gift Cards for toiletries like female hygiene products
Thermoses
Sports water bottles
Hot Cocoa Packets
Protein Drinks
Aloe Lotion - Large tube is preferred over bottles.
Body Wipes
Axe Deodorant- Large size
Body Wash, Shampoo, Conditioner, Chap Stick
Snacks (Peanut Free)
Candy, boxed
Sugar Free Mint Gum (Best deal at Costco)
Tooth Brushes/Tooth Paste (Sponsored by Dentists)
Sponsor Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner at a foster facility
The Rotary Club of North Chicago accepted 3 new members today at it's meeting.
Barbara Waller, Executive Director of Cool Learning Experience, Kelcy Liverpool Executive Director of Kids Rank and Jessee Greenberg, Public Affairs Director Medline Industries accepted the invitation to join the Rotary Club of North Chicago. We are very proud to welcome them into our family of Rotarians. More info to come about each new member later.
The Rotary Club of North Chicago contnues to experience a growth spurt with another new member on board Bryan Zapata. aBryam is US Navy Veteran who loves volunteering in his church and neighborhood. We are so happy to have you on our Rotary Team Bryan Zapata. Congratulations!
Welcome our newest Rotary Club member Vernon F Ward.
Mr. Ward is a life coach and a teacher of metaphysics and spirituality. He is a graphic designer and a retired musician, writer, and producer.He loves to read and research ancient African/Egyptian and middle-eastern history. Vernon is the co-founder of Project CoNect, a non-profit organization.He is married, an ordained minister, and loves to cook.Ward has waited a long time to become a member of Rotary. Vernon has been active serving Illinois communities for over 40 years. We welcome you with open arms. Welcome to the Rotary Club of North Chicago.
Larry Sassorossi of Highland Park, Past Immediate Commander of the American Legion -Highland Park Post 145 became the newest Rotarian and and we are pleased to have him in our club. Larry is seen here with Navy Veteran and Rotarian Ronald Gaeti at the Road to Miller Park fundraising event where both were volunteering assisting veterans with serving food and seating.
Immedicate Past Suzanne Gibson takes on the North Chicago Rotary Club Virtual Reading Challenge. She want to encourage children to get ready for school by reading The Night Before Kindergarten. I know you will love to hear Suzanne read Suzanne Gibson Read, https://www.facebook.com/NCPLibrary/videos/4272959326080002/
Suzanne Gibson Does it Again!
Suzanne Gibson does a second reading for the North Chicao Rotary Club and Library. It's a lovely reaading of 'I'm New Here" https://www.facebook.com/NCPLibrary/videos/588878311791459/ Past District 6440 Govenor Suzanne Gibson took on the challenge and participated in the North Chicago Virtual Reading Challenge. Thata a service literacy project partnering with the North Chicago Library by reading various childrens books from home during the COVID 19 pandemic and video taping it. Thank you Suzanne Gibson for getting on board with us. We are still seekinig more readers if anyone is interested please contact the North Chicago Library at: 847-689-3256. Ask to speak to John Hidleman the Children's Librarian. Let them know the Rotary Club of North Chicago sent you. https://www.facebook.com/NCPLibrary/videos/588878311791459/ We know children love going to the library to hear the libraians read stories to them. This is our opportunity to help out our local library since the children cannot get inside the library we can bring the library to them. Won't you please join our challange by reading a childrens book too? We would all love to hear you read.
Jim Moran recieves an award for his continiuous asistance exceptional work during the COVID19 Pandemic.
Jim Moran is serving as Interim Community Information Coordinator of City of North Chicago and has been successfully providing North Chicago its citizens, businesses and community organizations with critical inforamtion during the COVID19 Pandemic. He has worked tirelessly assisting the community by acting a liason to the city and community. While the city offices are closed he continues to serve by seeking out new benefits for North Chicagoans. In addition he asssit with planning and effectively getting the word out to the community about all COVID 19 response and city and community programs that offer immediate assistance. Angela Walker, President of the North Chicago Rotary Club awarded the certificate to Jim becasue he was always ready to respond and answer all calls. It was noted that Jim assist whenever others and is doing an excellent job of coordinating, processing and disbursing community information to the entire city of North Chicago . Congratulations Jim Moran!
City of North Chicago Police Officer Gary Grayer accepted an award for volunteering with the Rotary Club of North Chicago Family literacy Night.
The Rotary Club of North Chicago thanked North Chicago Police Officer Gary Grayer for his volunteer work with chilldren at the North Chiagao Library and awarded him with a Certificates of Appreciation. Officer Grayer created lots of excitement reading books to children and families. Afterwards he spent time getting to know the participants. We are looking forward to working with Officer Grayer in the near future. Maybe if we can ask him he might do a virtual reading for all of us real soon at the North Chicago Library.
It's Official! The city of North Chicago Mayor, Leon Rockingham Jr, Police Chief Laz Perez and Fire Chief Dell Urban are officially honorary members of the Rotary of North Chicago. President Angela Walker invited the team to make it official and join us as we work together in the community. The civic leaders have always been present in past history with the club particpating in various service projects but Rotary club wants to openly thank them for thier service and hard work. Mayor Rockingham spoke for all of his team accepting the membership. The Rortary Club of North Chicago is pleased to have the City of North Chicago on it's team.
Club President Angela Walker called upon Medline for PPE gear. Medline stepped up to the plate and hit a home run!
Medline Industries heard the call of the North Chicago Rotary Club when Club President Angela Walker called upon them to assist with PPE gear.
by donating 2500 mask on Friday August 6th. Those donations will go directly to four community organizations which are: The Brushwood Center, The Veterans Closet, The North Chicago Library and New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. The Rotary Club thanks Medline for it's lightning quick response and it's generosity. Medline offical states they are happy to serve the community. To find out more about Medline, the products they produce and more community assistance join us in our next Rotary meeting Sept 1 at noon on Zoom. Thnak you Medline Industries.
Rotary's is doing a new thing and now is the time to join us. Network with a Rotarian. Isn't that something you always wanted to do. Become a Rotarian!
Kevin Steven goes all out showing hs reading skills at the North Chicago Public Library. We are reading to children and families using video as an option to connect with families that cannot visit the library at this time. Volunteers needed, come join us. Read from home, video tape it and send it to the North Chicago Library. Contact Joan Battley, Director for more information at 847-689-3256.
The Rotarian Magazine highligts our own Rotarian Danny Spungen. He was recongized around the world for his work in educating people about the Holocaust. Danny Travels all over the world showing historical pieces of from Africa and Europe and he is involved with multiple projects promoting peace and conflict resolution. Danny is seen here in Hawaii during a lay over on his way home.
THE NORTH CHICAGO ROTARY CLUB PROVIDES A SUMMER SENIOR BINGO AND LUNCHEON AT THE KUKLA SENIOR TOWERS WAUKEGAN IL. MEMBERS DONATE FUNDS TO PURCHASE PRIZE GIFTS AND COMPLETE CHICKEN LUNCHES FOR 35-40 SENIORS. ROTARY MEMBERS VOLUNTEER TEAM DECORATES, SERVE, ENTERTAIN AND PRODUCE MULTIPLE BINGO GAMES FOR SENIORS. ITS A GREAT TIME FOR ALL TO SOCIALIZE AND JUST HAVE FUN.
Rotary Club of North Chicago sponsored a literacy program for the youth at A. J. Katzemier School in North Chicago. The club purchased books for all the children and each book had a Rotary Sticker placed on the inside cover. The principal of the school read the book to the children and the Author of the book made an in-person Presentation. This service project promotes basic education and literacy.
Rotary Club of North Chicago sponsors a food basket give away to Seniors and families in North Chicago in an effort to provide nutritional meals promoting good health to families during the Covic 19 pandemic. Rotary will use the site of the Mayor and Police Department parking lot to pass out food and mask. Provided 17,000 Pounds of food. 385 families were provided boxes of food.
Rotary Club of North Chicago sponsored the Veterans Annual Holiday Luncheon for Veteran's and their families. Rotarians provided space for 300 Veterans and provided volunteer service hours for the event. Rotarians help with seating , serving, entertaining and assisting veterans to and from vehicles.
The Rotary Club of North Chicago provided free lunches and dinners to all the Police and Fire Department 1st Responders employee for the city of North Chicago . These members provide assistance to the ill and distressed people of the city while keeping citizens safe during a pandemic. The Rotary Club of North Chicago provided these meals to say thank you amd show thier appreciation to the 1st Responders.
Rotary Club of North Chicago participated Kindness Day by helping out with an international hunger project at Feed My Starving Children. Members volunteered to pack food for international counties. This project was one of our Kindness projects that also doubles as maternal and child health
The Rotary Club of North Chicago created 250 Greeting cards to congradulate graduating seniors from North Chicago School District 187. The cards contained inspirational notes from three of the Rotary Clubs partners and a free lunch from a resturant. Each card was delivered to students when they arrived to retrieve thier personal items from the school.
Rotary Club of North Chicago sponsors a Food Basket give away for 200 families of Veterans, Active Duty and retired military members in an effort to prevent hunger and provide nutrition to mothers and families by providing healthy alternatives and promoting good health during the COVID 19 pandemic. North Chicago Rotary will use the site of the Midwestern Veterans Closet to pass out food and mask with the help of Rotary members and community volunteers. n addition to food we will also give away 250 cloth mask to any one that wants them provided as courtesy donation by The Brushwood Center. Mary Carmody, Director of the Midwest Veterans Closet seen above with Governor Elect Kevin Stevens, District 6440.
Rotary Club of North Chicago partners with the Brushwood Center Mask Drive. This service is one of the emergency projects in health and disease prevention we assist with sewing cloth mask, picking up materials, coordinating various organizations to participate and assist seniors and veterans, medical professions with receiving mask. Over three thousand mask were provided to all levels of first reponders, senior citizen homes and veterans.
Dr John Bair addresses guest at the Veterans Holiday Party.
Rotary Club of North Chicago sponsored the Veterans Annual Holiday Luncheon for Veteran's and their families. Rotarians provided space for 300 Veterans and provided volunteer service hours for the event. Rotarians help with seating , serving, entertaining and assisting veterans to and from vehicles. Dr. Bair addressing Veterans, friends and family.
Rotary Club of North Chicago joined with District 6440 to raise money for needy families through out the district and awareness about Rotary Clubs at Schaumburg Mall. Pictured are 6440 members Governor Elect Lyle Staab and Assistant Govenor Bryan Anderson and other Rotarians.
Newest Rotarian Barbara Ziegenwiede was honored today when she recieved the Paul Harris Award. President Angela Walker presented the award to Barbara who serves as secretary for the club. Barbara is also a member of the American Legion Auxillary of Highland Park. Barbara is a hard working Rotarian that loves to serve the community. Congradulations Barbara!
Rotary Club of North Chicago assisted other organizations with packing and passing out holiday food baskets with everything a family needs to make a holiday meal. This event was supporting Military families in North Chicago. This project supports maternal and child health.
Rotary Club of North Chicago sponsored Family Literacy Night at the North Chicago Library. This was an event used to raise awareness about Literacy and how important it is for families to read together. In addition it was an social event for families and community members. 1st responders were invited to read to families. Artist presented games and art projects. Rotary provided food and entertainment.
Director of North Chicago Library and Past President Rotary club member Mrs. Joan Battley diplays the 300 care packagess for veterans.
Rotary Club of North Chicago sponsored a Veterans Care Package give away for Veterans. Rotary delivered 300 care packages to six organizations that hosted Veteran events on Veteran's Day and gave them as free gifts to say thank you for your service.
Rotary Club of North Chicago co-sponsored Operation Warm Coats by partnering with the Lake Forest Rotary Club and donating funds for the campaign and spreading the word to community families to help children in need of winter coats. We were able to also partner with the local North Chicago Library and North Chicgao local schools to pass the coats out to youth in need.
A local event celebrating the diversity of the community with music, food and fellowship of families and community service and civic organizations. Rotary members volunteer to help out seniors and guests in addition to meeting folk and sharing Rotary information and Rotary's philosophy and area of service in an effort to raise awareness and build interest in membership.
Rotary Club of North Chicago and the Rotary Club of Waukegan participated in the Annual Alzheimers Walk to raise money and awareness of Alzheimers disease. This walk Ian a service project that assist in disease prevention.
North Chicago Rotary Club sponsored a Back to School Backpack party at Missionary Baptist Church for grades K thru 8. Children and families were treated to snacks and backpacks filled with school supplies. This project promotes basic education and literacy.
North Chicago Rotary Club sponsored a Back to School Backpack party at Missionary Baptist Church for grades K thru 8. Children and families were treated to snacks and backpacks filled with school supplies. This project promotes basic education and literacy.
Rotary Club of North Chicago sponsored a letter writing campaign for the Lake County Honor Flight Veterans. The club purchased thank you cards and members wrote various messages thanking and honoring veterans for their service and welcoming them home.
The Rotary Club of North Chicago sponsored a district wide event honoring Veterans and family at the Miller Park Baseball Park. The Veterans were provided with tickets to the game and a celebration at the park including a band, free lunch buffet and transportation to and from the game.
The Rotary Club of North Chicago sponsors a summer senior bingo party and luncheon at Kukla Towers of North Chicago
The Rotary Club of North Chicago provides Summer Senior Bingo and luncheon at the kukla Senior Towers in North Chicago, Illinois. Rotaray members donate time and funds to purchase prize gifts and chicken dinners for 35-40 senior residents. The Rotary team decorate, serve lunch and entertain seniors while playing multiple games of Bingo.
We all love to have a good time socializing with our senior population. They are the treasures of our community.
Chicago Bears Alum Desmond Clark #88 joined the Rotary Club of North Chicago today and shared his story of overcoming adversity and graciously giving back. Thank you Desmond for sharing your inspiration!
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Dr John Bair addresses guest at the Veterans Holiday Party.
