Welcome to our club web site. I'm Mark Smith, Club President for the 2025-26 Rotary year. Our club was created on January 1, 2021 when the former Wood River and East Alton clubs merged to become the Riverbend East Rotary club. Feel free to browse our newsletters, photo albums and other content you may find of interest. The club also sponsors a Facebook page. You may link to those sites below and to the right. Our club is located on the Illinois side of the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area. When you are in the area, please feel free to attend one of our meetings.
Member Birthdays:
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Rodney DurrMarch 11
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Jean KainzMarch 17
Anniversaries:
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Rick HooksBetsy HooksMarch 31
Join Date:
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Tommie MyersMarch 1, 199531 years
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Lindsey HerronMarch 6, 20179 years
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Mark AllisonMarch 10, 201115 years
We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:00 p.m.
JULIA'S BANQUET CENTER
101 Eastgate Shopping Center
East Alton, IL 62024
United States of America
East Alton, IL 62024
United States of America
Our Mailing address:
POB 56
East Alton,IL 62024-0056
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2026 Rotary Family Dat at the Ballpark
Busch StadiumMay 30, 2026 6:15 p.m.
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Golf Tournament
Belk Park Golf CourseJul. 18, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. -
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build
Sleep in Heavenly PeaceOct. 15, 2026
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lewis and Clark Community College College for Life Program Coordinator Rosie Ellington was on hand to talk about the prorgram that currently serves 150 non-traditional students.
Representatives from Roxana High School joined us to talk about the PECT program (Pre-Employment Career Training) .
East Alton School District Superintendent (and club member) Kelli Decker was joined by two 7th grade students to talk about the Student Leadership Council.
Refurge Executive Director Erin Bickle joined us to talk about the services her agency offers to children from birth to age 11 who live in stressful environments.
Club President Mark Smith presents Service Above Self certificates to Morgan Eberlin and Noah Norton
President Mark Smith presents Service Above Self certificates to Roxana High School seniors Trenton Hollaway and Ava Cherry
We were joined by the president of the Wood River Refinery Museum, Glenn Breuklander, who spoke about the history of the Shell (now Conono-Phillips) refinery. It's long and quite interesting.
Club President Mark Smith presents Service Above Self certificates to Haley and Sean. Continue reading below.
Alton Police Department K-9 officer Lane lawson joined us to tell us about his duties and to introduce his partner Riggs.
Club President Mark Smith presents November Service Above Self certificates to Autumn Hart and Gavin Springer
Phillips 66 refinery Manager of Public Relations, Melissa Erker, joined us to provide an update on the recent refinery sale and upcoming work at the plant.
Steelworkers Union President Craig McKee was on hand to talk about the history and current operation of the U S Steel Granite City plant.
East Alton-Wood River High School students Ayla Thomas and Malachi Carter are recognized as our October Service Above Self award recipients. Read more below.
We were joined by Wood River Parks & Rec Supervisor Dickson Wong who told us about his month long experience as a participant on the Deal or No Deal Island reality show.
We recognized our October Roxana High School Service Above Self award winners, Dalton and Alix.
Club member Diane Schuette spoke about her time as a volunteer with the USO facility located at Lambert Airport in St. Louis. She encourage everyone to consider volunteering to serve our active and retired military.
Madison County Catholic Charities board member Andy Macias told us about the the services offered by his organization, with locations in Alton and Granite City.
Heather's Zen Den owner Heather Garrigus joined us to talk about all the services she offers at her yoga studio located in Eastgate Plaza Shopping Center in East Alton, IL. Here's her business link http://heatherszenden.com
President Mark presented September Service Above Self award certificates to Tamarion Marshall and Brooke Parker, students at Eas Alton-Wood River High School.
President Mark welcomed Roxana High School students Lilliana and Noah as the September recipients of our Service Above Self award.
Wood River alderman (and club member) Jeremy Plank gave us a state of the city overview, focusing on downtown economic development.
Tyler Elbrecht spoke to us about his Elite Hockey School program and managing the East Alton Ice Arena.
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President
President Elect
Treasurer
Secretary
Community Service
Club Service
Youth Service
International Service
Vocational Service
Club Foundation President
Newsletter Editor
Sergeant Arms
Immediate Past President
The first run of the new Soapbox Race car down Berkshire Hill
Mark Allison
Patti Anderson
David Ayers
Pat Boyle
Rod Croxford
Rodney Durr
Cory Gallivan
Paul Guccione
Allen Hale
Chris Herzog
Rick Hooks
Paul Hoover
Jean Kainz
Donna Karpan
Michael Kelly
Scott Levan
George Moore
Virgil Moore
Tommie Myers
Lori Palmer
John Pearson
Erin Phillips
Brad Pulaski
Bill Pyatt
Wendell Ross
Joe Silkwood
Mark Smith
Mark Speciale
Henry Studnicki
George Tyler
Mark Vaughn
Alana Yount