Welcome to Rock Falls Rotary !

Welcome to our Club!

Rock Falls

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 6:00 PM
Harvest Time Church
1802 Dixon Ave.
Rock Falls, IL 61071
United States of America
Our Club is currently meeting via Zoom.
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Home Page Stories
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.
 
Rotarians Bring Broil & Boil Power Lunch to Sterling & Rock Falls Communities
The Rock Falls & Sterling Noon Rotarians did the prep work and were ready to serve 2000 Power Lunches at the Sterling Marketplace (Farmer's Market Pavillion) on Monday, July 27. The two clubs joined forces to bring the Broil & Boil Power Lunch to the Sterling/Rock Falls community. Proceeds help our clubs with Rotary projects in our communities.
Broil & Boil Cookout Fundraiser
The Rock Falls Rotary and the Sterling Noon Rotary have joined forces this year to bring you Broil & Boil Power Lunch, a combined effort of each clubs annual cookout fundraisers.
 
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 brought to you on Monday, July 27 at the new Sterling Marketplace Pavilion behind The Factory Pub and Grub (West Second Street between Avenues A and B) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
Lunch is $10 and features a grilled pork chop sandwich, 3 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 Program, Rotary youth exchange and several community projects and events.
 

Rock Falls Rotary Club Donates to Rock River Christian Center Food Pantry
Posted on May 17, 2020
President Dave Chavira of Rock Falls Rotary Club (right) presents to Brian Vickers, Lead Pastor of Rock River Christian Center (left), a donation from Rock Falls Rotary members of $2,100 for their food pantry. The RRCC food pantry is now serving 150 families with weekly food during the corona virus pandemic. Contact RRCC for donations of any amount as all will be welcomed.
 

Rotary Shares Exchange Program on Local Radio
Posted on Apr 08, 2020
This morning Tom Myers, Rock Falls Rotarian, and Brandi & Kimzey Spreeman were on WSDR radio speaking about the value of Rotary Youth Exchange and the benefits of hosting a student. Thank you to all of them for their time and willingness to share about this worthwhile program. You can find the program at https://illinoisnewsnow.com/saukvalleynow/. The podcasts are listed on the right hand side about half way down the page - look for the one titled "Rotary Student Exchange Program" and click the play (arrow) to listen.
 

Rock Falls Rotarians Assist with Meal Distribution for Rock Falls Students
Posted on Mar 24, 2020
When Governor Pritzer closed all Illinois schools, it left many students who depend upon their school setting for breakfast and lunch without meals for two weeks. Rock Falls Rotary Club President Dave Chavira was very concerned about the students at East Coloma-Nelson who are dependent upon the school program to have food during these two weeks. So he rallied the Rock Falls Rotary Club to assist. Rock Falls Middle School became the site of distribution for all students in Rock Falls. East Coloma-Nelson teachers were assembling the meals as parents drove up with their orders.  Rock Falls Rotarians delivered the meals to the cars. Rotarians included Dave Chavira, Bob Sondgeroth, Jeff Gray, Deb Gonzalez, Karen Voss, and Tom Myers.
Keith Zoeller Celebrates 30 Years of Membership in Rock Falls Rotary
 
Rock Falls Rotary President Dave Chavira (left) District Governor Bobbi Burke have just presented to Rock Falls Rotary member Keith Zoeller a certificate of appreciation celebrating his 30 years of membership in Rock Falls Rotary, as President-Elect Gail Wright looks on (right). Keith joined Rock Falls Rotary in March 1990 and over the years has continually chaired the Annual Corn Boil, the annual Farmers' Night, and the Scholarship Committee. He has served two terms as Rock Falls Rotary President and is always ready for hands-on service in our community. Rock Falls Rotarians shared their recollections of all the projects that he either chaired or participated in over these years as they congratulated him for his 30 years of membership.
 
Lunch Program for Rock Falls Students
Posted on Mar 16, 2020

Rock Falls Rotary is working with local school districts in Rock Falls to help distribute lunches to students in Rock Falls.

Details:

- Entrance will only be from the back lot (1701 12th Ave., Rock Falls, IL)

- From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. lunches will be taken curbside to deliver.

- A lunch will be provided for any child from Rock Falls, 18 years of age or younger. Child need not be in attendance and no questions asked.

- This will end Friday, March 27, thus continuing through Spring Break.

Cancellations
Posted on Mar 13, 2020
 
Until further notice, all Rock Falls Rotary Monday night meetings have been cancelled.
 
The Annual Farmer's Night Celebration scheduled for Monday, March 16 is also cancelled.
Former Rotary Exchange Student Shares His Rotary Flag with Rock Falls Rotary

Andrew Bartles (right) , an exchange student of 2004 who spent a year in the Netherlands, and later in 2010 a year as an Ambassadorial Scholar in Lebanon, returned to Rock Falls to exchange his Rotary Club banner of Manama, Bahrain of District 2452 with Present-Elect Tom Myers of Rock Falls Rotary. Andrew has been working in the oil industry in the area of Saudi Arabia, but living in Bahrain.

 

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Club Executives & Directors
President
Gail Wright
President Elect
Thomas Myers
Immediate Past President
David Chavira
Treasurer
Sarah Willey
Secretary
Patricia Novak
Rotary Foundation
Michael Albert
Membership Chair
Julie Logan
Public Image Chair
Pamela Erby
Community Service Chair
Darla Ewing
Bulletin Editor
Patricia Novak
Website Coordinator
Karen Voss
Vocational Service Chair
Keith Zoeller
Literacy Chair
Betty Clementz
Youth Exchange Officer
Robert Sondgeroth
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