Linda Johnson from WORDUP
On April 6, we heard from WORDUP Founder & President Linda Johnson (image on left), who shared how reading aloud strengthens language development, supports family bonding, and fuels brain growth, 80% of which happens before age 3. With more than 21,000 board books distributed locally, WORDUP continues to make a meaningful difference for young children and their families. WORDUP of Central Illinois has been helping Sangamon County children ages 0–3 build a love of reading since 2017.We partnered with WORDUP to provide 270 board books through a Rotary literacy grant. With their guidance in selecting engaging, age-appropriate titles and connecting us with Parents As Teachers (PAT), these books are now reaching families who need them most. See Presidents Comments for more information on this project.
Elisa Fox from the Kidzeum
Our Club was excited to welcome Elisa Fox (image below in center), Director of Development, and Faith Valenti (image below on left) Administrative Assistant, from the Kidzeum of Health and Science in downtown Springfield during our April 20 luncheon program. Elisa gave an inspiring update on the museum’s growing impact in our community.
Since opening in 2018, Kidzeum has welcomed over 175,000 visitors from 48 states, creating hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and discovery for children of all backgrounds and abilities. They are still on the lookout for visitors from South Dakota and Rhode Island!
Through interactive exhibits like Healthy Earth, Healthy Community, Healthy Body, and the ever-popular Route 66 experience, Kidzeum brings science, health, and history to life. Their Migrating Mural project also continues to enhance downtown Springfield while promoting conservation and pollinator awareness.
Looking ahead, Kidzeum is taking an exciting leap forward with a nearly $500,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop a new STEAM Education Center. This initiative will connect science, technology, engineering, art, and math to students’ everyday lives. It will help improve learning outcomes across Springfield and surrounding communities. The center is currently being co-designed with community input and is expected to open within the next three years.
Elisa highlighted Rotary’s support of the important work Kidzeum, from a landmark $20,000 gift in 2022 to ongoing support for the Migrating Mural program. Partnerships like this are what help build stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities.
We look forward to seeing Kidzeum continue to grow as a hub for innovation, education, and opportunity for the next generation.
Ashley Dillingham, Project Manager, Clinical Trials, Prairie Education and Research Cooperative
Even a tornado siren couldn’t stop our meaningful Rotary conversation at our April 27 club meeting.
At Monday’s meeting, Club President-Elect Ashley Dillingham, who is a licensed social worker and clinical research professional, led an important discussion on advance directives and how we communicate our healthcare wishes. Midway through, we paused and headed to Maldaner’s basement for tornado safety (image below shows Ashley with her notes in the wine cellar), but Ashley didn’t miss a beat in keeping the conversation grounded and impactful.
Ashley emphasized a simple but often overlooked truth: talk with your loved ones about your healthcare preferences before a crisis and put those wishes in writing. In Illinois, that includes documents like a Healthcare Power of Attorney and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). While most adults agree these conversations matter, fewer than one in three have actually had them or documented their wishes.
She encouraged us to be clear about what matters most, our values, goals for care, beliefs, and who we trust to make decisions if we cannot, and to share that with family and healthcare providers.
We thank Ashley for having this conversation with us, and we hope everyone will take a step in the very near future to make their wishes known. It is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give your family and loved ones. She certainly earned her Rotary mug.
