My Fellow Rotarians,
As we close out 2025, December provided a meaningful and joyful finish that was filled with service, learning, generosity, and fellowship.
Members served our community at Schnucks in Montvale Plaza by ringing bells at red kettles to raise money in support of the Salvation Army (image above) and by participating in the week-long Springfield Rotary Blood Drive at ImpactLife (image to left). We also came together for Giving Tuesday to support the Rotary Foundation, supported youth in need through the Rutledge Youth Foundation Angel Tree (see story in this Newsletter), and ensured books filled the Little Library at St. John’s Breadline thanks to member Allison Montney’s Christmas Eve visit (image below).
We concluded our annual citrus sale fundraiser (first image below and story in this Newsletter) and were grateful to support the Central Illinois Foodbank with 162 forty-pound cartons of oranges donated through this project (second image below).
We are excited to be recipients of a $1,000 Rotary District Literacy grant. This grant will help us provide board books for children ages 0–3 in targeted communities identified by Word Up.
December also brought inspiring programs. Andrea Aggertt, the Architect of the State Capitol, returned to update us on the remarkable progress at the Illinois State Capitol, highlighting renovations that balance historic preservation with modern accessibility and infrastructure (first image below). We were also inspired by member Miranda Smith, who shared the mission of Emerald Gardens, her Taylorville-based nonprofit creating spaces that promote food security, literacy, healing, and community connection—along with many volunteer opportunities (second image below).
We also learned from member Barry Tobias about services on the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce website and various Chamber events that can help further integrate our Club and our services within our community.
Fellowship was front and center at the 2025 All-Club Holiday Party (first image below), where great conversation, festive food, music from Illinois Symphony Youth Orchestra members (second and third images below), and the presence of District 6460 Governor Bill Knake (lead image) made for a memorable evening.
We also proudly selected Sonthana Thongsithavong (image on left) as our 2025 Paul Harris Community Award recipient for a lifetime of service rooted in Rotary values. This recognition will be presented at our annual Foundation Night in February 2026. As we conclude December with our holiday break, we did so grateful for all we accomplished together in 2025. Looking ahead, January’s Rotary International theme is Vocational Service, and we are well positioned to begin 2026 with purpose and momentum.
Thank you for your commitment, service, and generosity—it has been both fun and an honor to serve as your President.