Welcome to Rock Falls Rotary !
Welcome to our Club!
Rock Falls

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 5:30 PM
Harvest Time Church
1802 Dixon Ave.
Rock Falls, IL 61071
United States of America
Club meets in person the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month and also offers a Zoom option for every meeting.
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Home Page Stories

Rotary Clubs Join to  Support Literacy Program 
Posted on Oct 06, 2021
 
 
Three Rotary Clubs' Presidents gathered to present a check for $8,000 to  the L.I.F.E. Literacy program of the United Way which  distributes a book/month to children aged birth through age 5 through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for a total of 60 books/child in Whiteside County.
Presenting the check are: (left to right)  Betty Clementz, Rock Falls Rotary Grant Chair; Kim Gaffey, President and Grant Chair of Twin Cities Sunrise Rotary; Tom Myers, President of Rock Falls Rotary; David Hellmich, President of Sterling Noon Rotary; Keri Olson, Director of United Way of Whiteside County; Tim Schwingle, Sterling Noon Rotary Grant Chair.  This donation is a total of club donations and matching grant monies from Rotary District 6420.
 

Annual Rotary Greenery Fundraiser
It's time for the annual Rock Falls Rotary Holiday Greenery Sale. These products make great gifts and are shipped directly to your family members or friends. You can contact any Rock Falls Rotarian to place your order or you can visit https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/RockFallsRotary to directly place your order. Proceeds help to support Youth, Literacy and Rotary programs in our area.
 

Governor Bills Visits Rock Falls Rotary
President Tom Myers (right) prepares to introduce the District 6420 Governor David Bills (left seated) who shared his goals for the year with members of the Rock Falls Rotary Club.  Theme for the Rotary year is Serve to Change Lives.
 

September Rotary Student of the Month
Bob Sondgeroth (right), Rock Falls Rotary Youth Chair, presents to Matthew Marcum (left), senior at Rock Falls High School and son of Tom and Kelly Marcum, the Rock Falls Rotary lapel pin for his selection by RFHS staff as Rotary September Student of the Month. Matthew was selected because of meeting the criteria of the Rotary Four Way  Test of the things we say, think and do:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
 

Annual End Polio Now Walk - Oct. 2
Sixth Annual End Polio Now Walk to be held in Rock Falls on Saturday, October 2, at 9:00 a.m. by the Rotary clubs of Rock Falls, Sterling Noon, Dixon, Twin Cities Sunrise, Walnut and Rotaract of SVCC.
 
The walk will have options for route, including along Hennepin Canal which is a beautiful walk and along IL Route 40 which is First Avenue in Rock Falls to provide a sea of red End Polio Now T shirts There is no registration fee, but registration is required from 8:15 - 9:00 a.m. at the Larson Shelter.
 
Water and granola bars will be available both before and after the walk. Walk is open to the public and anyone who makes a $20 donation at the event will receive an End Polio Now T shirt as long as supply lasts. A photo of all participants will be taken prior to the start of the walk.
 
Come to be a part of history in the making as Rotary is getting closer to eradicating polio in our lifetime!
 
2021 Rotary Broil & Boil
The Rock Falls Rotary and the Sterling Noon Rotary are bringing you the second Broil & Boil Lunch on Monday, July 26 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Sterling Marketplace Pavilion (Farmer's Market) on W. Second Street (behind The Factory).

Broil & Boil will feature the Pork Chop Cookout of the Sterling Club and the Corn Boil of the Rock Falls Club into one power lunch.
Lunch is $10 dollars and features a grilled pork chop sandwich, 2 ears of sweet corn, chips, cookie and a bottle of water.
 
Advance tickets and pre-ordering is highly encouraged. Free delivery for orders of 10 or more is available within Sterling and Rock Falls. Drive-thru/curbside pick up will be at the Marketplace.
See the form for ordering options or contact any Rock Falls or Sterling Noon Rotarian.
 
Proceeds benefit local Rotary Projects including youth scholarships, literacy projects with local schools, Student Excellence Programs, Rotary youth exchange and several community projects and events.
 
Rock Falls Rotary Inducts President for 2021 - 2022
Rock Falls Rotary President Gail Wright (left) passes the gavel to the incoming 2021 -2022 President Tom Myers (right) at a recent induction at Rotary Park.
Thank you Gail for your leadership through the past year !
 
Betty Clementz - 30 Years of Rotary Service
Rock Falls Rotary President Gail Wright (right) presented to Betty Clementz (left) a certificate of recognition of her 30 years of membership in Rock Falls Rotary at Rotary Park.
Congratulations Betty and thank you for all you do for our club and the community !👏💐
 
Rock Falls Rotary Awards Scholarships to 10 RFHS Graduates
Congratulations to all of our scholarship winners, we wish you the best of luck with your future plans !
 
 
Keith Zoeller, Scholarship Committee Chairman of Rock Falls Rotary, awarded a scholarship to 10 deserving 2021 graduates of Rock Falls High School at Rotary Park. (From left to right) Rotary Scholarship Committee Chair Keith Zoeller, Peyton Ward, Luke Akerman, Madison Wescott, Kennedi Oltmans, Cydney Reyes, Kacey Estrella, Kyla Border, Rosa Ibarra; absent from the photo: Colin Flynn and Savanna Pinske.
85th Anniversary of Rock Falls Rotary Celebrated
 
Fifteen members of Rock Falls Rotary Club shared an evening of celebration of the 85th Anniversary of their Rotary Club and its service to the community.  District Governor of 6420, Tom Brooks of Rockford, presented a recognition of the achievements of the club to President Gail Wright.  Members who represented a total number of 265 years of membership in Rock Falls  Rotary shred their passion in the activities of the club over their years of membership.
 
President Gail Wright accepting recognition of 85th Anniversary from  DG Tom Brooks.
 
Rock Falls Rotary members at 85th Anniversary celebration - front row (left to right) Sarah Willey, Pat Novak, President Gail Wright, Cheryl Faber, Julie Logan, Pam Erby; back row (left to right) Tom Myers, Betty Clementz, Bob Sondgeroth, Mark Young, Jeff Gray, Mike Albert, Keith Zoeller, Eric Epps, DG Governor Tom Brooks, and Karen Voss.
Rock Falls Rotary Day Proclaimed
Rock Falls City Council and Mayor Kleckler proclaimed June 5th as Rock Falls Rotary Day in honor of the 85th Anniversary of the Rock Falls Rotary Club. Receiving the proclamation from left to right in front row: Mayor Rod Kleckler, Gail Wright, President of Rock Falls Rotary, Betty Clementz, Back row: Jeff Gray, Bob Sondgeroth, and Mike Albert.
 
RF Rotary 85th Anniversary Kick-Off
2021 marks the 85th Anniversary of the Rock Falls Rotary Club. Kicking off our celebration was a Prairie Planting project at Rotary Park in Rock Falls. Keith Zoeller, RF Rotarian, headed up the project and planting of the seed in the plot at the park. Fellow Rotarians aided by spreading prairie flower seed by hand in the plot.
 
  
 
Monthy Raffle Tickets Available for Purchase
Posted on Jan 28, 2021
The Rock Falls Rotary Club is currently selling raffle tickets for their $100 Monthly Raffle drawing. Each month beginning with March 2021-February 2022, one ticket will be drawn and the winner will receive $100. All tickets are eligible every month, which means you could win more than once. Tickets are $20 each and available from any Rock Falls Rotarian or can be purchased through the Rock Falls Rotary Paypal* (*preferred method) or Venmo Account. Links to both accounts can be found on the right hand side of this website. If using Venmo, please put "Raffle Ticket" in comment section. You can purchase as many tickets as you like for $20 each.
 
Hurry, deadline to purchase is February 22!
 
Two Rock Falls Rotarians Earn Paul Harris Fellow Awards
Posted on Jan 13, 2021
Two Rock Falls Rotary members have reached Paul Harris Fellow Awards for their contributions to the Rotary Foundation.  Presenting the certificates and pins is the Rock Falls Rotary President Gail Wright (center) to Julie Logan (left) her PHF Award #2 and to Mark Young (right) the PHF Award.  Each Award represents a contribution of $1000 to the Rotary Foundation which uses the contributions to complete global humanitarian projects, such as polio eradication and disaster relief.
 

30 Years of Rotary Service
Mike Albert has reached a milestone of 30 years of Rock Falls Rotary membership and was recently recognized for his dedication to the service of Rotary. Mike has served most recently as president for the second term and serves as Foundation Chair, thereby responsible for organizing the End Polio Now Walk annually. Gail Wright, President of Rock Falls Rotary (left) presented to Mike Albert (right) a certificate signed by District 6420 Governor in recognition of his years of service.
 

Rotary Donates Dictionaries
Due to covid-19, the Rock Falls Rotary presented dictionaries to third grade students in all public and private schools by meeting school personnel at the door during American Education Week.  Shown in the photos are Cheryl Faber, Rock Falls Rotary Literacy Committee, presenting dictionaries to students of St. Andrew class of Ann Wagenecht and to Principal of Merrill, Brody Rude. 
 
 
 
Also presenting dictionaries is Rotary Club President Gail Wright to Mackenzie Garza at Montmorency School.
 
Rock Falls Rotary Supports Rock River Hospice & Home Festival of Trees
The Rock Falls Rotary Club presented Emily Taylor, Executive Director (left) and Karen Voss, Marketing Director (also a Rock Falls Rotarian) (right) of Rock River Hospice & Home a check for $200 to assist with their Festival of Trees Fundraiser to provide no-cost hospice services to members of our communities. Emily presented an update on activities and happenings at Rock River Hospice & Home, along with information about their upcoming Festival of Trees events to be held at Northland Mall and online, Nov. 9-21.
 
Rock Falls Rotary Supports Salvation Army Holiday Fundraising
Members of the Rock Falls Rotary Community Service Committee Jeff Gray (left) and Darla Ewing (right) presented to Captain Dave Amick of Sterling Salvation Army (center) a check for $250 to assist with the Red Kettle Donations for Holiday Fundraising to assist those in need in our community. Captain Dave presented a program of how Salvation Army is trying to meet the needs with limited volunteers ringing for the Red Kettles throughout the community during this pandemic.
 
Rock Falls Rotary Donates Hats and Mittens to Rock Falls Elementary Schools
Posted on Oct 29, 2020
Rock Falls Rotarians donated children winter hats, mittens and gloves to each of the elementary schools in Rock Falls. Members of the Community Service Committee sorted the items and delivered them to schools in preparation for the cold weather. Shown in the photo are Rotarian Jeff Gray (left) and Pam Erby (right) presenting the donation to Montmorency School Secretary Lynette Springman (center).
 
RF Rotary hosts Holiday Greenery Fundraiser
Deadline to order these great wreaths and other products from the Rock Falls Rotary is November 5. These products make great gifts and are shipped directly to your family members or friends. Please contact Rotarian Pat Novak at 815-441-0528 and leave a message and your call will be returned timely or email novakfam@comcast.net to place your order. Proceeds help to support Youth, Literacy and Rotary programs in our area.
 
Tree Dedication at Rotary Park for Art Johnson
Rock Falls Rotary and members of the Art Johnson family gathered at Rock Falls Rotary Park on Minkel Street  to dedicate a memorial tree in honor of member Art Johnson who had been a member in Rock Falls Rotary for over 40 years. Art had been a past president and active member. especially in supporting the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Daughter Kathy Peugh and husband Keith Peugh (either side of tree in back row) with Art's grandchildren and great gandchildren were in attendance as Rock Falls Rotarians shared their respect for Art as a Rotarian.  
 
 
Rotary District 6420 Donates $1000 to Eradicate Polio
Rotary District 6420  Leadership Team attended the Fifth Annual End Polio Now Walk held October 10 at Centennial Park in Rock Falls, sponsored by the five Rotary Clubs of Dixon, Rock Falls, Sterling Noon, Twin Cities Sunrise, and Walnut and SVCC Rotaract.  District Governor Tom Brooks presented  a check for $1000 to assist in the Rotary effort to eradicate polio.  Thanks to the Gates Foundation, that amount will be doubled and added to make that district contribution a total of $3000.  Front row: Betty Clementz, Chair of End Polio Now Walk, receives the check from District Governor Tom Brooks while district leadership and planning committee members watch (back row left to right) PDG Kathy Kwiat-Hess, District 6420 Foundation Chair;  Mike Albert, Rock Falls Rotary Foundation Chair; Gail Wright, Rock Falls Rotary President; PDG Leo Patterson, Dixon Rotarian; Laura Kann, District 6420 Governor Elect,; David Bills, District 6420 Governor Nominee, and PDG Steve Kuhns, District 6420 Treasurer.
 
 
Polio Walk October 10
 
Due to covid-19 restrictions imposed on the number in a gathering, the following registration times have been planned to limit number of participants at Larson Shelter in Centennial Park on Saturday, October 10 for participants of the End Polio Now Walk:
  1.  Rotary Club members and guests of the three local clubs of Rock Falls, Sterling Noon, and Twin Cities Sunrise are asked to register from 8:15 - 8;35;  after a photo will be taken, these participants will begin the walk
 
  1. Rotary Club members and guests of the three outlying clubs of SVCC Rotaract, Dixon, and Walnut will begin at 8:40 – 9:00 a.m. and a photo will be taken of this group of participants before they begin the walk.
 
  1. Rolls and coffee will be available in Larson Shelter prior to the walk.
 
  1. Social distancing and masks are required to ensure safety for all.
 
The walk along Hennepin Canal, over the Rock River, and back to Larson Shelter is open to the public. Registration is required, but there is no fee to participate. Donations to eradicate polio will be welcome.
 
 
 
Rock Falls Rotary Donates $870 to LIFE
At the recent drawing of three prizes for persons who donated at least $30 to support a student to receive a book/month for one year through the LIFE (Literacy Is Fun(damental) for Everyone) program in Whiteside County in partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a donation check for $870 was presented to Pam Martinez ( far left) of United Way and to Jodi Perez (far right) of Power of Purse Committee for LIFE by Rock Falls Rotarians, Cheryl Faber (center left) and Gail Wright, President of Rock Falls Rotary ((center right).  Donations were sought from former attendees of the fundraiser Power of the Purse which was not planned due to covid-19.  Over $8000 has been received thus far to LIFE to support this program which has been supported in part in the past 10 years by the fundraiser Power of the Purse.  Winners of the raffle from donors on Thursday evening, September 24,  live on Facebook were grand prize winner: Dawn Hartman, and two purse winners for 2nd and 3rd place prizes were Sherry DeWalt and Barb Helgason.  This donation was generated by the members of the Rock Falls Rotary Club  through an appeal during month of September. Anyone wanting to support the LIFE program can send a check to United Way at PO Box 806, Sterling, IL 61081-3605.  Cost to provide a book/month for one year to a child from birth through age 5 is $30/year.  LIFE is a 501C3, so your donation is tax deductible.
 
 

Fifth Annual End Polio Now Walk - Oct. 10

The Rotary Clubs of Dixon, Rock Falls, Sterling Noon, Twin Cities Sunrise, Walnut, and SVCC Rotaract will mark historic progress toward a polio-free world while urging the Sauk Valley community to help end the paralyzing disease of polio. This event is among thousands to be held by Rotary Clubs around the world as World Polio Day on October 24th nears.   

These Rotary Club members are taking action to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.  

 

WHAT:     Fifth Annual End Polio Now Walk

WHO:      All Rotarians and the public   

WHEN:    Saturday, October 10 at 9:00 a.m. with registration to begin at 8:15 a.m.  at Larson Shelter

WHERE:  Centennial Park, 510 East 11th Street in Rock Falls

DETAILS: No registration fee, but T-shirt will be given for a $20 donation as long as supply lasts.  All donations will be doubled by the Gates Foundation. Rotarians wanting to donate a check to Rotary Foundation to End Polio Now should include their Rotary I.D. number on the check. Their check will be sent into Rotary International as a part of this event.

 

Rock Falls Rotary Assists Purchase of Sanitizing System at East Coloma-Nelson
 
Rock Falls Rotary presented a check of $2000 to Superintendent Chris Lensing of East Coloma-Nelson School to assist in purchase of a Chlorox Total 360 System for use during this pandemic. Members of the the East Coloma Board and Rock Falls Rotarians present from left to right: Dave Chavira, Rock Falls Rotary Past President, Gail Wright, President of Rock Falls Rotary, Chris Lensing, Superintendent of East Coloma-Nelson, Bob Sondgeroth, Rock Falls Rotarian, Chris Buikema, East Coloma-Nelson Board President, and Kim Velazquez, Board Member of East Coloma-Nelson.
Rotary Grant Helps Center 4 Change
The Rock Falls Rotary Club along with other Rotary clubs in the area, went together and each received a Rotary Grant to help supply the Center 4 Change with new computers. Presenting and receiving the funds are (left to right) Chris Tennyson, Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools #47;. Mark Morris, Principal at Center 4 Change; Gail Wright, President of Rock Falls Rotary; and Bob Sondgeroth, Regional Superintendent of Schools #47.
 
Rotary Clubs of Sterling Noon and Rock Falls Join to Provide a Power Lunch on Monday, July 27
Due to Covid-19 delaying fundraising of organizations, the two Rotary Clubs will join in providing a Power Lunch of pork chop sandwich with 3 ears of corn, chips, cookie and water on Monday, June 27 from 11 - 2 or until sold out at Sterling Marketplace.  Presales are encouraged, and there will be deliveries and pick-ups only with no seating on site.  Cindy Poci, co-owner of Poci's Market  of Rock Falls, shares with Keith Zoeller, Corn Boil Chair of Rock Falls Rotary, the sweet corn to be provided.
 

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Club Executives & Directors
President
Thomas Myers
Secretary
Patricia Novak
Treasurer
Sarah Willey
Club Foundation Chair
Michael Albert
Immediate Past President
Gail Wright
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