As I was reading Past District Governor Dave Emerick’s “Farwell” message, several thoughts came to me. First, what a great leader Governor Dave was for our District. Most recently, we hear of the tremendous response 6420 Rotarians gave to his club challenge to donate food to local pantries. Second, during Dave’s Governor year, we saw a renewed energy and interest in our youth services programs, RYLA and Rotary Youth Exchange.
Thanks to our District Grant Review committee (Helen Kilgore – Galena, Adriane Shore – Putnam County, Sue Hebel – River Cities, Beth Thacker – Rockford, Laura Davis – Moline, and Marjorie Hunt – Henry) which met on June 12 all 37 District Grant Applications were approved for the 2024-2025 Rotary year. These District Grants will make a $98,927 impact on our local communities throughout District 6420. Congratulations to all clubs that received a District Grant!
Thanks to all Rotary members in District 6420 for contributing to the Rotary Foundation during the 2023-2024 Rotary year. Regardless of the size of your donation, you have helped change lives for the better among individuals, families, and communities around the globe.
Thanks to DG John Hurley and PDG Dave Emerick District 6420 was able to contribute in late June a total of $4000 to the Northern Illinois Food Bank and River Bend Food Bank. This project was consistent with our District-wide service project which asked each Rotarian to contribute at least 20 pounds of food to a local food bank.
The Illinois Quad Cities organized a food drive in support of PDG Dave Emerick’s goal of 20 pounds of food per Rotarian. On June 8, 2024 members took shifts at the Rock Island HyVee entrance to take collections for the St. John’s Food Pantry in East Moline.
Rising to the challenge of filling our local food pantries, the Morrison club was happy to make a donation to the hometown Morrison Food Pantry. Receiving the $500 check from President Scott Vandermyde is Director Leveda Ashlin.
Twin Cities Sunrise and Morrison Rotary partnered on a district grant to purchase new interview equipment for April House Child Advocacy Center. Twin Cities Sunrise hosted a pickleball tournament July 20, at Terry Nichols pickleball courts.
Rotary Club of Princeton participated in "National Night Out" held on August 6th at Zearing Park in Princeton. The event is an annual community building campaign that promotes police and community partnerships.
The Rotary Club of Toluca hosted 3 more bingo events over this summer after much success last year with the same event. Players were asked to bring paper products to donate to local food pantries, which helped meet our club's goal from Dave Emerick for our first two sessions.
In August 2019 Emil Rosen arrived from Finland to spend the year with us as our Rotary Exchange son. He attended Alleman High School and quickly became a Favorite both at school where he earned a spot on the Alleman Homecoming Court and was crowned as the Homecoming Prince, and with our Club!
The Rotary Club of Walnut is raising funds for its numerous charitable activities by selling raffle tickets for a 36" Blackstone griddle (generously donated by Ace Retail Distribution Center, Princeton), a one-half processed hog (courtesy of Wyanet Locker, Wyanet) and a $50 gift certificate for Peru Hy-vee (contributed by Peru Hy-Vee).
The three prize winners' names will be drawn during Walnut's FallFest on October 5, 2024. Tickets are $2 each or $10 for 6 tickets. Interested in purchasing a ticket? Please contact Tina Curtis, ADG/DGN at tcurtis6420@gmail.com.
Rotary Club of Princeton, IL hosted "Lunch in the Park" on Friday, August 2nd. This fundraiser helps support our Princeton High School area scholarships and community grants. Approximately $1,800 was raised, and it was a sell-out.
The Rotary Club of Mt. Carroll would like to invite all District 6420 Rotarians and guests to Rotary Day at Timber Lake Playhouse on September 7 at 2:00 p.m. All Rotarians and their guests are invited to attend the matinee performance of Church Basement Ladies - a Second Helping.
Sangkoo Yun, of the Rotary Club of Sae Hanyang, Seoul, Korea, is the selection of the nominating committee to become Rotary International’s president for 2026-27.
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