Our March Student of the Month is Ashley Olson, an active member of Interact and a Rotary Pancake Breakfast volunteer! Congratulations, Ashley!
SAVE THE DATE!
Hula for Loota
Thursday, April 28, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Chapel in the Pines
15165 Quigley Road, Sycamore
This week's speaker was Rob Mondi, owner of the soon-to-open Aurora Music Company. The business is not associated with the City of Aurora, but with the manufacturing of Aurora Constellation guitars.
Ashley Olson and her parents, Gregory and Nancy, attended this week's meeting as she was named the Rotary Club's Student of the Month for March. Steve Balster, Sycamore High School Assistant Principal, introduced Ashley to the club. She is near the top of her class (with a 4.46 GPA), was inducted into the National Honor Society, named an Illinois State Scholar, and was both a Captain and a State Qualifier in tennis. Ashley also plays volleyball, works on the yearbook, and participates in Key Club, Big Sis Little Sis, and Interact. She served as Statistical Secretary and Vice President for the Key Club, and President, Vice President, and Clerk for Interact. She also attend RYLA.
Ashley has volunteered for Feed My Starving Children, Make a Difference, Hope Haven, Goodfellows, and the Rotary Pancake Breakfast. She plans to attend Kishwaukee Community College and then Northern Illinois University to study Business. She also plans to join Rotaract after graduating high school.
Ashley shared that her volunteer work with Goodfellows had impacted her the most (and more than she expected) as she wrapped Christmas presents for local children in need. She dedicated the $100 check from Rotary Club to the Goodfellows' annual cause.
Rob Mondi is excited to be opening a second business in DeKalb. Four years after acquiring the local Home Instead franchise (which provides cooking, cleaning, and companionship for older people who want to continue living at home), Rob will soon open the Aurora Music Company (reflecting the company's manufacture of Aurora Constellation guitars, not an affiliation with the City of Aurora). He is a previous resident of Chicago, but moved west a number of years ago following his parents' relocation to this area (and now he hesitates to travel east of Route 47).
The Aurora Music Company is scheduled to open April 1 and is located at 137 E. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb (a 100 year-old building that is now receiving some much-needed love and renovation, thanks to Rob's investments). The business will manufacture Aurora Constellation guitars and other string instruments (including guitars, basses, and sometimes banjos), repair instruments, and host lessons using eight (8) dedicated rooms. Rob is currently awaiting a permit to install a big front window that opens, so the passers-by can enjoy hearing the music playing inside.
Rob encouraged all Rotarians (and anyone they know) to "come on in, and we'll let you play with the instruments". You can follow Aurora Music Company's progress on Instagram at aurora_music_company.
P.S. Rob so enjoyed his first visit to the Rotary Club of Sycamore that he submitted a membership application before leaving Wednesday's meeting. We look forward to providing him with an "official" welcome soon!
In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, The Rotary Foundation has created an official channel for Rotary members around the world to contribute funds to support the relief efforts underway by Rotary districts and has designated its Disaster Response Fund as the main avenue for contributions.
To this end, The Rotary Foundation has approved:
Now through 30 June 2022, designated Rotary districts that border Ukraine and the Rotary district in Ukraine may apply for grants of up to $50,000 each from the Disaster Response Fund. These expedited disaster response grants can be used to provide relief to refugees or other victims of the crisis including items such as water, food, shelter, medicine and clothing.
During this same period, other impacted Rotary districts that wish to offer support to refugees or other victims of the crisis in their district can apply for $25,000 grants from the Disaster Response Fund.
Now through 30 April 2022, Rotary districts can transfer unallocated District Designated Funds (DDF) to support the Disaster Response Fund, directly supporting these Ukraine-specific humanitarian grants.
Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund in support of Ukraine can be made here. All funds need to be received into the Disaster Response Fund by 30 April 2022 in order to qualify for use in support of the Ukrainian relief efforts.
Although the Disaster Response Fund will be the main avenue for Rotary Foundation support, Rotary and Rotaract clubs are also encouraged to create their own responses to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
In addition to support provided through the Disaster Response Fund, the Foundation is coordinating with partners and regional leaders, exploring effective solutions to the increased humanitarian needs.
We are in contact with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees – USA to prepare for and respond to the needs of those being displaced in Ukraine and to neighboring countries.
ShelterBox, our project partner for disaster response, is in communication with Rotary members in Eastern Europe to explore how it may offer support with temporary transitional housing and other essential supplies.
The Rotary Action Group for Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Migration is also mobilizing its resources to assist in this crisis.
A million people have fled Ukraine and are in dire need of emergency aid. The United Nations estimates that number could grow to as many as 5 million people displaced. Rotary clubs in Europe and around the world have stepped up their relief work, some working on the ground to help displaced families.
We will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Visit My Rotary and follow Rotary on social media to stay updated on how clubs can get involved and what actions Rotary members have taken and the impact it has had for people in the region.
For all other questions and to obtain more information, please contact the Rotary Support Center at rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org.
Donations are currently being requested for the Sycamore Food Pantry. Bring a bottle of laundry detergent...or $10 for Julie Sgarlata to purchase one. Money is easier to handle.
Personal hygiene items (bar soap, shampoo, etc.) are also being sought.
March 1, 1904 – American band leader Glenn Miller is born in Clarinda, Iowa. He gained enormous popularity during the 1930’s and 1940’s. He went missing in 1944 while crossing the English Channel in a plane en route to a performance in Paris.
March 2, 1893 – American soldier and politician Sam Houston is born in Rockbridge County, Virginia. In his teen years he is raised by Cherokee Indians. He serves as a Congressman and Governor of Tennessee and later leads the Texas Army in the War for Texas Independence from Mexico. He then serves as Senator and Governor of the new state of Texas.
March 3, 1847 – Telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell is born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Bell’s invention borrowed techniques from his vocation of teaching deaf persons to speak.
March 4, 1888 – American football legend Knute Rockne is born in Voss, Norway. He coached Notre Dame football for 13 seasons amassing a record of 105 wins, 12 losses, and five ties.
February 27, 1950 – The 22 nd Amendment to the U. S. Constitution is ratified limiting the President to two terms or a maximum of ten years in office.
March 1, 1932 – The 20-month-old son of aviation pioneer Charles Lindbergh was kidnapped from his home Hopewell, New Jersey. Although the Lindbergh’s paid a $50,000 ransom, the child’s body was found several months later in a wooded area a few miles from the home.
March 1, 1961 – President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps which sends young American volunteers to developing countries to assist with health care, education, and other basic human needs.
March 4, 1789 – The first meeting of the new Congress under the U. S. Constitution took place in New York City.
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