PEKIN  ROTARY
Pekin Rotary Newsletter |   www.pekinrotary.org
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Noteworthy
June
Anniversaries

Gary Gillis
37 years

Dennis Green
21 years

Greg Henderson
32 years

Paul Scherer
5 years

Jerry Tupper
19 years

Service Above Self
Volunteers Needed
Rotary Park 
Clean Up Day
June 25
8:30 am - 11:00 am
 June  2016
Presidents Message
  
  Almost 18 months ago I agreed to serve as club president-28 years removed from when I last served.  It's hard to believe that this Rotary year is almost over.
  My goal was to make some necessary adjustments, simplify things a bit, bring some of our newer members on to the board, and position the club for a more active, difference-making future.  
  Together we achieved this and I am proud of our successes.  What was most gratifying was the support shown to me by the board and membership.  Everyone bought into the need for progressive change.  We worked hard to see that change impact our community for the better.
 Today, Pekin Rotary is stronger, more engaged, and having more fun than ever.  Your board is focused and determined.  They represent a bright Pekin Rotary future.
Gregg Ratliff will do an exceptional job as incoming president.  Danielle Owens and Paul Scherer are great additions to our board.  I want to thank Brian Ford and Matt Stropes-both past presidents- who are stepping down after many years of devoted service on the board.
  In all honesty, I became a "Born Again" Rotarian these past many months.  I was inspired by the way you showed me, once again, why I am proud to call myself a "Rotarian".
  Thank you for the confidence you have shown in me.  What an an unforgettable, enriching experience!  It was an honor to serve.

Gary Gillis
President  
 
Installation Banquet & Silent Auction
June 29, 2016 will be the Pekin Rotary Annual Installation Banquet and Silent Auction to benefit the Preschool Family Education Center (PFEC).  
Money raised from this fundraiser pays for a professional counselor at the school.  A service that is highly needed and  would not happen without our support.
PFEC serves children who often come from homes with limited resources.  Early detection can help identify developmental problems that if left unaddressed could hinder a child's ability to learn.  The school encourages parents to be involved with the child's education and for the parents to get their GEDs. 
Let's have fun with this and support a very important program for Pekin.  

Pekin Rotary Cares

  Every year the club awards grant money to not-for-profit organizations serving our community.  A committee reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the board for how the funds should be distributed.  This year we received 16 applications and were able to support all but 6.

This years recipients are:
The Center for Prevention of Abuse
Mrs. Jacobs Third Grade Class - Willow School
Tazwood Mental Health Center - Core Life Skills
The Salvation Army Teens
Tazewell County Health Department - Peak Program
Pekin Academy of Fine Arts
Altrusa Int'l of Pekin - First Grade Reading Program
YWCA Pekin - Feeding Through Reading
Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association
Destination Imagination

    These gifts are made possible through the money earned annually at the Rotary Grill - Pekin Marigold Festival.
Speakers Chair
June 1 -  Bill Fleming, Executive Director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, will give the club an update on the Chamber, its Strategic Plan, and the Marigold Festival.

June 8 - The club will meet at The Pekin Public Library for its program and a guided tour of the new facilities

June 15 - Mike Caringello will speak on "Living the American Dream"

June 22 -  Major Rick Ray will invite Mike Swanson from the Salvation Army District Headquarters to come and speak to the members about the Pekin Salvation Army's plan to update the transitional center. The center will be undergoing a major overhaul starting June 6.
 
June 29 - No lunch meeting.  Installation Banquet and Silent Auction 5:00 pm.
 
Community Project
 "Read for a Ride" is a Pekin Rotary Club sponsored event.  It is part of the Pekin Library's Summer Reading Program and targets the Independent Reader- ages 9-11 years old.  Rotary will provide one boys and one girls Haro Bike- with helmets- as a award for randomly selected children who have completed the Summer Reading Log Sheet.  The bicycles are being purchased through Little Ades-Pekin. 


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