The Light Newsletter

Noting that July 2024 is Rotary Maternal and Child Health month, President José Lopez welcomed members to the first (Tuesday morning) meeting of the new Rotary club year. 

 

After acknowledging the IT team, Zoom hosts and Greeter Helen Oloroso, José apologized for the absence of breakfast treats… a small casualty of the new year transition.  Members can expect a return to volunteer-provided breakfast treats next week.  

 

Elizabeth Goodbody delivered a calming Thought for the Day from Mahatma Gandhi: “You must not lose faith in humanity.  Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”  And from Mary Anne Radmacher: “As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.”  Elizabeth led the Why We Are Rotarians statement prior to José’s reading of the Land Acknowledgement.

 

Ann Weatherhead announced two Community Service-related events, while promising that more info will come later.  On Thursday, August 8, our Club will shop, prepare, cook, and serve a meal at the First United Methodist Soup Kitchen.  More than 15 Rotarians – plus family members – enjoyed participating when we previously hosted the Soup Kitchen. Details to come…

 

Ann also explained that Connections for the Homeless (one of our Taste of Evanston partners) will hold its Block Party Fundraiser on July 20.  This includes a Family Fest from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Twiggs Park and After Dark evening at Double Clutch Brewery from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m.

 

Linda Gerber thanked Myra Janus, Jackie Mack, Kathy Tate-Bradish, Elizabeth Goodbody, Ann Weatherhead, Karen Kring (Noon Club) and Kate Collinson for their kindness to ‘our’ Wraparound Evanston family – Sandra and 10-year old son Jésus.   

 

To date, we’ve provided transportation, occasional meals/groceries, health-related equipment, and companionship.  As Linda noted, we are learning firsthand about Wraparound Evanston from the participants’ point of view. 

 

Going forward, we’d like to provide additional support to this single mom (who has endured four brain surgeries!) and hope to engage Jésus in additional activities such as basketball and bike riding. Please reach out to Linda if you’d like to join this effort!

 

Past President Bryant Wallace congratulated José on the job he’s doing and welcomed Natika Washington to our meeting!   Bryant explained that we’re in conversations with Reba Place Development Corp. to determine another ‘hands on’ project we can undertake with them.

 

Lastly, Bryant noted that Rotary Means Business Chicagoland (RMB) is planning a Regional Business Conference on July 26 (5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) and July 27 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at Huddle Up, 1600 McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg.  To learn more, visit https://rmbchicagoland.com/

 

Fourth of July Coordinator Neil Gambow thanked those who helped make the club’s involvement in the parade a success!  In addition to marching, Rotarians helped with setup, take down, transportation, signage, and post-partying (special thanks to host Kathy Tate-Bradish!). 

 

Volunteers included Marv Edelstein, Joan Borg, Stuart Cleland, Bruce Baumberger, Allison Plyer, Gary and Katherine Peterson, Kassandre McGovern, Don Crost, Jim McGuire, Georgia Vlahos, Kelly Fidei, José Lopez, and Ann Searles.

 

It’s two months until the Taste of Evanston – Sept. 15^th!   Time to think about ticket sales!  Co-Chair Bill Glader noted that we’ve raised ticket prices, bringing them in line with other area fundraisers, but Early Bird tickets are available through August 31.

 

Members are encouraged to buy or sell four tickets.  (If you’re able to do more, that would be terrific!)  There’s also an option to buy a Neighbor ticket, essentially donating a ticket for use by someone affiliated with our community partners.  (Our event planner oversees this Neighbor ticket program, part of our ongoing DEI effort.) Ticket sale revenues cover event expenses, and sponsorships, underwriting, the raffle, and silent auction contribute to the bottom line (which is shared with Connections for the Homeless and Reba Place Development Corp.)

 

The Taste of Evanston, our main fundraiser, requires MANY volunteers.  Please be open to taking a shift (or two) when Volunteer Coordinator Dan Coyne reaches out in the next several weeks.   Last, but not least, we’re excited that Charismatic WGN Traffic Reporter Brhett Vickery will be this year’s TOE emcee.

 

José encouraged Committee Chairs to use the Announcement portion of our meetings to disseminate info about the work that they’re doing. 

 

Ann Searles contacted the City of Evanston to request corrected signage on Golf Road (related to our quarterly ‘clean-ups’) and minor maintenance of the well-used parcours course along the lakefront which our club donated to the community in the 1990’s.

 

New England Village resident Marv Edelstein expressed his neighborhood’s appreciation of our club’s Golf Road Clean-up efforts.   As a thank you, the neighborhood’s newsletter will promote the Taste of Evanston, and high school students (needing community service hours) will be encouraged to assist us in our clean-ups.

 

Please join us next week for a recap of the 2023-2024 projects of the International Service Committee.   Prepare to be impressed!

 

 

 

 

Past President and current Rotary Foundation Chair Kathy Tate-Bradish demystifies giving to Rotary and Rotary giving.   For more info, click here. 

 

 

 

Basil Lewis – 42-year Rotarian; formerly RC of Humberside UK, now a Direct Member of Rotary

 

Ann Trandei – RC of Lake Forest

 

John Wertymer – RC of Wilmette

 

 

Natika Washington - New Evanstonian with background in Air Force, international development and equity work, founder of creative strategy firm - Tomorrow Owned By You (TOBY); prospective member.

 

 

Ann Searles – July 16

 

Albert Menard – July 17

 

Karena Bierman – July 17

 

Stuart Cleland – July 18

 

 

Horton Kellogg - July 9, 33 years

 

Carol Bild – July 10, 23 years

 

Holly Halliday – July 1, 17 years

 

Jackie Mack – July 18, 12 years