Welcome to Our Club

TOGETHER WE CAN END RACISM

The Rotary Club of Wilmette offers help and support to all communities locally and internationally wherever and whenever there is need in the human family.

The Rotary Club of Wilmette was chartered in 1924 with 21 members. Today there are over 59 active members who gather to do good for others while enjoying good fellowship.

Our Club members enthusiastically live the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” both locally and internationally. Recent projects include water well installation at schools in Angola, the collection and delivery of over 20,000 books annually to inner city schools in Chicago, supplying ultrasound equipment and related training to people in Uganda, resettlement assistance to legal refugees in the Chicago area, providing disaster relief supplies to hurricane, typhoon, and other natural disaster survivors, food packing for people in Guatemala and Central America, and supporting local food pantries and literacy efforts.

NOTICE: We are currently meeting both in-person and by Zoom. Member and guests may attend either way. Those wanting to join via Zoom can contact debora@pftl.net for link.

We meet Wednesdays at 12:15 PM at the Wilmette Golf Club, 3900 Fairway Drive, Wilmette, IL 60091.

We’d love to have you join us!

Welcome!

Our Motto:
Service Above Self

We meet In Person

Wednesdays at 12:00 PM

Wilmette Golf Club

3900 Fairway Drive
Wilmette, IL 60091
United States of America

We are returning to hybrid meetings. Members and guests may join either in-person or by Zoom.. Contact debora@pftl.net for the Zoom link.

District Site

Bulletins

Venue Map

Holiday Drive for Homeless
Ends Dec 10

Our Holiday Drive to provide necessary items for 80 homeless people in Chicago will end on December 10. We have almost reached our goal of $10,000 (both monetary donations and merchandise); but we are about $2000 short. This shortage represents 45 personal heaters, 30 coolers and 20 flash lights that are still needed. You can make you donations in three ways through December 10.

1- Follow the link below to purchase one or several items on an Amazon list. Items can be sent directly to the Sisters.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/U2QT3Z5GDD3E?ref_=wl_share

2- Click the red button on our website, wilmetterotary.org labeled "Holiday Drive for Homeless" and give a monetary donation, and we will purchase the items for you. Or click the link below:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/wilmette-rotary-club-foundation/2nd-annual-holiday-drive-for-homeless-in-chicago

3- Buy any item you see on the Amazon list from any store and deliver to Sisters at the bakery, St. Roger Abbey Patisserie, 1101 Central Ave, Wilmette

Please email marianafar@gmail.com with items you deliver to sisters personally to take off the Amazon list

Our Place Check

We presented a check for $15,350 to Our Place on Monday, November 15. This represents the net proceeds from our fundraising concert on September 29, which was held for the benefit of Our Place in Wilmette. Our Place is a center for developmentally and intellectually disabled teens and adults. Pictured is Nick Dallas handing the check to Judi Nealey, Executive Director of Our Place. Also, Mike Bailey (Wilmette Harbor Club), Megan Dunn, Program Director, and some of the Our Place participants.

November 17 Program - Surviving the Holocaust

Holocaust survivor, George Brent talked about how he survived being held captive at Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp during WWII. Dr. Brent told us how he was sent there at age 14, left alone, lost his mother and younger brother, and never saw his father again until after the war. Dr. Brent's personal story was heart-breaking, but also inspiring.

November 10 Program - Jeff Smith

Jeff Smith, financial advisor and planner, has more than 30 years of financial service experience. He presented an overview of how various investment markets have performed in the past and how they might in the coming years. He offered some alternative strategies to the the traditional ways of investing. Today's investors must understand how to plan and organize their assets, so they will realize growth and protect the assets through life transitions. Jeff's website is http://www.nsinv.com/

New Well in Angola

Posted by Ray Zeiss

One of our Club's most successful, ongoing international projects is to build wells to provide fresh water, and thereby support nearby schools in Angola. A new well was built recently at the Bairro Novo school site. Ray Zeiss has coordinated this effort with the support of the Glenview Sunrise Rotary, and he wanted to share some a photo and video that wonderfully shows our dollars at work.

Video can be viewed at:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=a77116c09a&attid=0.6&permmsgid=msg-f:1715424379707365371&th=17ce6962778097fb&view=att&disp=safe

November 3 Program - Nuclear Weapon Analysis

Ward Hayes Wilson is a Senior Fellow and director of the Rethinking Nuclear Weapons project at the British American Security Information Council (BASIC), and a think tank, RealistRevolt, both focus on nuclear disarmament. He spoke to us about popular beliefs about nuclear weapons, and why these assumptions are mostly incorrect. This includes thinking that nothing can be done about the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

He explained that the question of whether to keep nuclear weapons is a question of utility and danger, and it IS possible to have a frank, pragmatic discussion. He believes that the reputation of nuclear weapons got overblown, for various reasons, and that their utility, based on history, is open to doubt. And that nuclear deterrence, although it has worked for quite some time, cannot work forever. To learn more about this go to his website, realistrevolt.org .

October 27 Program - John Jacoby

John Jacoby, former Village President and author of Wilmette at 150, presented an overview of some of the chapters in his new book. He told us about "No Man's Land" which became part of Wilmette after much bickering between Wilmette and Kenilworth. Other topics included: the creation of the Village Center; how New Trier West was built and used; notable church leaders, women and famous people associated with Wilmette; and other fascinating facts. Wilmette is celebrating its Sesquicentennial 150th anniversary this year.

October 13 Program - The Forgotten People

Ron Frahler, Director of Development for CHIEF, Inc, recounted the history of how Native Americans were treated in the US and Canada, and the conditions under which most of them live today. He gave some very interesting statistics. Today there are 576 federally recognized Indian Nations (variously called tribes) in the US. There are approximately 326 Indian land areas in the U.S. administered as federal Indian reservations 22% of American Indians and Alaska Natives live on reservations or other trust lands. 78% of American Indians and Alaska Natives live in metropolitan areas.

For further information on "the Native People," look under the "About" tab on the chief.org website.

October 6 Program - Teen Suicide Prevention

Sarah Ann Sheehan is on the board of directors for Elyssa's Mission, which is an organization focusing on teen mental health and suicide prevention. Sarah explained how Elyssa's Mission provides hands-on support to area public and private schools in order to educate students, staff, parents and guardians on how to recognize and assist those teens most at-risk. She explained the risks/warning signs of potential suicide and what can be done to assist.

Benefit Concert for Our Place - Sept 29

Our rescheduled Benefit Concert to raise funds for Our Place took place on a beautiful evening on Sept 29. The venue was Wallace Bowl in Gillson Park, Wilmette. Three bands donated their talent and were amazing: a jazz combo from New Trier High School, Suzanne Cross and the Mighty Group Combo and a jazz combo from the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory. A food truck from Flyin Hawaiian provided delicious food. Members from the Rotary Clubs of Wilmette Harbor and Winnetka/Northfield, and staff from Our Place joined us to make this event a success.

Donate Here for Our Foundation

Holiday Drive for Homeless

Service Projects - Local

About Our Club

Holiday Party

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Raffle Tickets

Dinner or Raffle

EREY For Club Members Only

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Holiday Party
Valley Lo Country Club

Dec 08, 2021
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
NTHS Swing Choir Afternoon Performance
Wilmette Golf Club

Dec 15, 2021
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Dr. Thomas Meade

Dec 01, 2021

Is Cancer Solvable?

This will be the second presentation from Dr. Meade, as we have asked him to comeback after his wonderful presentation a few months ago. The presentation will unpack where the state of the art of cancer treatments are today and what might the future hold for cancer victims. Dr. Meade's impressive credentials include: Professor of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Radiology: Director of the Center for Advanced Molecular Imaging; Northwestern University.

Holiday Party at Valley Lo Club

Dec 08, 2021

Special Meeting at 2pm

Dec 15, 2021

New Trier Swing Choir

Tod Desmarais

Jan 12, 2022

Architecture: Visual Listening & Storytelling

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