2025 Impact Highlights
Rotary Club of Springfield, Illinois
Mid-Year Snapshot | Rotary Year 2025–2026
Unite for Good
Making a Difference—Together
During the first half of the 2025-2026 Rotary year, the Rotary Club of Springfield translated commitment into action. Through service, fellowship, and leadership, our members made a meaningful impact locally, globally, and across generations.
Service & Community Impact
- Supported food security through the Ridgely Elementary Micro Pantry and the donation of 162 forty-pound cartons of citrus to the Central Illinois Foodbank
- Participated in United Way’s Day of Action and built 24 beds with Sleep in Heavenly Peace
- Participated a week-long Springfield Rotary Blood Drive with ImpactLife
- Donated school supplies and secured a District Grant for baby layettes
Literacy, Education & Youth
- Awarded a literacy grant to provide board books (ages 0–3) through Word Up of Central Illinois
- Continued care and restocking of Little Libraries
- Supported scholarships, including the John Giavaris and Francis Wenzel Scholarships
- Supported Rotary Inbound and Outbound Exchange Students
- Celebrated youth through music, education, and leadership development
- Celebrated and supported the launch of the Springfield Community Interact Club
Global Impact, Peace & Polio
- Observed World Polio Day through advocacy, media outreach, and congressional engagement registered with PolioPlus
- Strengthened international fellowships
- Continued leadership in peace initiatives, including:
- The Peace Quilt Exhibit at the Illinois State Museum
- Participation in dedicating Springfield’s first Peace Pole at Rotary Park
Membership & Fellowship
- Welcomed four new members
- Launched a New Member Orientation Committee
- Hosted monthly socials and a festive All-Club Holiday Party
- Honored Sonthana Thongsithavong as the 2025 Paul Harris Community Award recipient
- Announced 2026 meeting schedule enhancements to increase accessibility and engagement
Learning & Civic Engagement
- Weekly programs featured:
- Rail Relocation Project and Springfield LINC
- City planning and economic development
- Illinois State Capitol preservation and modernization
- Nonprofit leadership and community building
- Strong club participation at the 2025 Rotary District Conference at the University of Illinois Springfield
Foundation & Financial Strength
- Participation in Giving Tuesday
- Continued commitment to The Rotary Foundation
- Citrus Drive and Flag Service proceeds funding community grants
- Community recognition from Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries
Looking Ahead
As we enter 2026, the Rotary Club of Springfield is well positioned with momentum, purpose, and heart. We remain committed to Service Above Self and to uniting for good—wherever there is need.
John Webb
President, Rotary Club of Springfield, Illinois
Rotary Year 2025–2026