Our Holiday Party is on Tuesday, December 13 at Christ the King Church. We hope that you signed up for this joyous event. See stories below for more details. Please remember that our next regular Club meeting at Maldaners will be on January 9, 2023.
Monday, December 5 was our final regular meeting of 2022, and we had two featured speakers from the Illinois Symphony Orchestra: Jake Woollen (Assistant Conductor) and Trevor Orthmann (Executive Director) (image on left). They gave concise and inspired comments regarding the Symphony’s role in the two communities it serves – Springfield and Bloomington/Normal – as well as some perspective on the historical impact of community symphonies throughout our nation’s history. They also provided a sampling of the musical entertainment that will be provided in Springfield by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra during the upcoming holiday season. Jake taught Travis how to conduct (image below).
Changes in Meeting Calendar
Please take note of our meetings calendar during the holiday season, which is detailed in Loretta's article below.
Citrus Fundraiser
Also note that the Club has successful completed our Citrus Sales for 2022. Members assembled mixed boxes of oranges and grapefruit on December 7 and citurs will be distributed on Friday and Saturday (December 9-10) – from the Underfanger warehouse. Thanks to our Director of Logistics Bill Smith (image on right) and all who helped to make this year’s Citrus fundraiser a success.
Holiday Party
The Club’s annual Holiday Party will be held on Tuesday, December 13, at Christ the King Church, Springfield. Our featured entertainment this year is the Williamsville High School Madrigals performing an original holiday program, and it is rumored that highly coveted PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS may be issued to (unsuspecting), that is, deserving recipients at this event.
Our holiday will be at Christ the King Church (1930 Barberry Drive, Springfield) on December 13 at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 6:00 p.m.
Our planning committee and Chef Randy Williams have come up with an excellent menu:
Roast Beef Chasseur
Tortellini Alfredo (a vegetarian recipe)
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Seasoned Green Beans
Buttered Peas & Carrots
Italian Tossed Salad (Preset)
Dinner Rolls & Butter
Pear Pie (Request from Mr. President)
Iced Tea and Coffee
The settings will include real linens, Cateringware, and disposable wine glasses
The meal cost per person is $40 including gratuity and tax. Please pay for meals before the event or at the event if you have not already paid.
This year we have the opportunity to provide our own white and/or red wine for the holiday dinner. We asked members to donate bottles of red and white wine for the dinner. I donated one bottle of white and one of red. If you are donating a wine that should be served chilled, you may bring it to my house on Saturday, December 10 or Sunday, December 11, and I will take to the church and put it in their cooler.
Megan Reynolds has lined up the Williamsville High School Madrigals to provide live musical entertainment for the party.
You should have signed up for the dinner for you and your guests through our Secretary, Loretta Meeks (lmeek414@gmail.com). The final reservation count was due by December 7, and has been turned in.
On December 7, the Rotary Clubs of Springfield donated oranges to the Central Illinois Foodbank as a part of the annual Citrus Sale Fundraiser. All five Rotary Clubs in Springfield participated in this year’s Citrus Sale. Three of the clubs—our club, Springfield Sunrise, and Springfield South—allowed Rotarians and their clients to purchase oranges specifically for donation to the Foodbank. This year, we donated 190 40-lb. cartons of oranges (image on left)—about 23,750 oranges. This is Rotary’s largest donation of oranges to the Foodbank since our club added the option to buy oranges for them in 2013.
Bonnie Styles and Bill Smith arranged for the Foodbank to pick up the donated oranges at Humphreys Market on December 7. Humphreys Market helps with the Rotary Citrus order from Florida, and Hope Humphrey joined the group (above image far right). Bill Smith (above image, second from right and image below), Warehouse Manager and overall logistics director for the citrus fundraiser, was interviewed for the Central Illinois Foodbank Newsletter by Tim Kirsininkas, Public Relations Manager for the Foodbank (above image second from left and image below). Ed Reynolds (above image, far left), truck driver for the Central Illinois Foodbank) also joined the group and helped load the oranges on the truck.
Bill Smith described the benefits of the program for Rotary, the Foodbank, and those in need of food. “It’s a win-win situation all around.” Customers buy nutritious citrus to eat and gift during the holiday season and also purchase oranges for donation to the Central Illinois Foodbank. The Foodbank delivers the oranges to other foodbanks who distribute them to those in need. The gift keeps giving because the proceeds from the sale of the oranges and grapefruit by Rotarians, including the oranges purchased for direct donation to the Foodbank, support Rotary community grants that help combat hunger, promote literacy, and meet other community needs.
Rotary clubs in Springfield, including our club, are again participating in a week-long blood drive to assist the Blood Center. Please consider giving blood if you are able to do so. All instructions are provided in the poster shown above. This year's event is on December 11-17 and is done in cooperation with the Brickhouse Grill and Pub. Be sure to mention that you are with the Rotary Club of Springfield!
The holiday party will be held at Christ the King on Tuesday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6:00 p.m. The dinner will again be catered by Chef Randy Williams. For more information, see story above by Rod Buffington.
January 9 -- Rotary Club Meeting at Maldaners Upstairs
Program will be announced later.
January 16 -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
Frontiers International is hosting the breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at the Wyndham Springfield City Center. We are not having our regular club meeting on that day, and are encouraging members to attend the breakfast. Our club would like to fill two tables at the event. See the story below for more information.
Good day, Rotarians. I am forwarding the changes in meeting dates for the months of December and January. The changes are listed below. If you have any questions, please contact me or Randy Erford for clarification. We look forward to seeing you during the scheduled times.
Mark your calendar now! Frontiers International is again hosting the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast in Springfield. The event will be held on January 16, 2023 in the Wyndham Springfield City Center. I will have tickets that may be purchased for the event. We hope that our Rotary Club will buy enough tickets to fill two tables as we have done in the past. Tickets will be $30. Our Rotary club is planning to also sponsor the event by placing an advertisement in the program. More information on the program and keynote speaker will be shared later.
The Rotary Club of Springfield will again be filling an Angel Tree for the youth of Rutledge. These are abused/neglected children who are living in foster care, intact families or independent placements monitored by Rutledge. There are 40 angels available for male and female youth, ages infant – 20, with the child’s name and gift suggestions printed. A gift of $25-50 is suggested.
If you are interested in participating please select an Angel(s) at our club meeting registration desk on November 28 or let us know and we will email them to you. You can return gifts to our Monday evening meetings or drop them off at Rutledge,151 N Bruns Lane by December 14, 2022.
There will be 4 different drop off events. Please bring your unwrapped presents to Rutledge (151 N Bruns Lane) during one of the following days/times.
Drop Off Times: November 28 between 9 am-6 pm, December 5 between 9-6, December 7 between 9-6, December 12 between 9-6, and December 14 between 9-6
If none of these times can work with your schedule, please contact Marcia Knowlton (217-638-4487) either by text or call to arrange a different drop off time. Please leave all gifts unwrapped. If you would like to include wrapping paper, that would be appreciated.
With so many different service projects in the month of December, I wanted to provide you with one updated roster of everything happening instead of individual emails. Please let me know if you are unable to make your given shifts, or would like to sign up for anything additional.
As always, thank you so much for your commitment to our community!
10-11 am- Bill Kempiners, Mark McDonald, & Kirk Kellus
11 am-12 pm- Harry Mitchell, Joe O'Bierne, & Randy Erford
12-1 pm- Barry Tobias & Ross Hodel
1-2 pm- John Loftus & Bill Smith
2-3 pm- Christine Banks & Bill Smith (image below)
3-4 pm- Bonnie Styles & Christine Banks
Thursday, December 8- Catholic Charities Set up day- 1625 W. Washington
Volunteers were able to come any time in between 8:30am and 1pm, I was there all day. We set up toys and such for their Christmas giveaway on December 9.
Friday, December 9: Catholic Charities Gift Giveaway
1625 W. Washington
Volunteers are needed anytime between 8:30 am and 4 pm, we will be helping participants shop for Christmas gifts for their children. You are able to stay as long or as short as you would like.
Friday, December 16: One Stop Christmas Shop
White Oaks Mall, upper level, old Bergner's Wing
9:45 am-12 pm- Bonnie Styles
11:45 am- 2pm- Vicki Megginson
1:45-4 pm- Harry Mitchell
3:45-6 pm- Open
5:45-8 pm- Open
6:45- 9pm- Jacqueline Jarju
These slots are all for personal shoppers. You will help shoppers choose gifts for their families. Wear comfortable shoes. One Stop vests will be available for you to wear. You may also wear festive clothing and/or any apparel that identifies the organization you are representing if applicable.
For those that are looking for something where they won't have to walk around, you may choose to assist with the wrapping paper table or check out.
There will be food available all day from different businesses. This is such an amazing event that I am so proud to be a part of each year! I will be in attendance all day, so even if you aren't sure where you would like to volunteer, I encourage you to come check it out!
Ridgely Micro Pantry-Ridgely Elementary School
Volunteers help stock the food pantry for a two week period. The articles below provide information on stocking the pantry and the types of foods and other items that are needed.
December A- Jim Applegate
December B- Ross Hodel
January A- Kirk Kellis
January B- Open
February A- Open
March A- Jim Applegate
March B- Vicki Megginson
April A- Open
April B- Christine Banks
Please let me know if there is anything that needs to be changed or if you would like to participate in any of these amazing service opportunities. All of the email issues I had with changing my name seem to have subsided (fingers crossed!)
Our Ridgely micro pantry (image above) and little library (image on left) have officially made their way back outside the building for the community to use once again! Thanks to Vicki Megginson for the image above of the well-stocked micro pantry after she added nutritious food during her August shift. Please feel free to drop off any food/toiletries/cleaning supplies as you see fit. With school back in session, families need these things now more than ever! We thank the Rotarians who signed up for a slot in August, September, October, and November. I encourage everyone to look at this list of Community Gardens and fill the pantry with local fresh fruits and vegetables whenever you're able (https://www.growspringfield.org/gardendirectory). You can see from the image on left, also provided by Vicki Megginson, the Little Library needs more books.
Rotary Service Volunteer Corp
We would like to start an email list that will get sent to members of the community who may not have the time or monetary capability to become Rotarians but would like to help those who need it most, and we need your help collecting names and organizations who may be interested in receiving those emails! We will utilize Sign Up Genius to fill slots, and we encourage all ages to join this unique volunteer opportunity. I am working on getting a flyer together, but in the mean time, please send over any leads you have to Megan at mnorman@familiadental.com.
Ringing the Bells for Salvation Army
Thanks to all who rang the bells for Salvation Army on Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3 at Schnuck's at Montvale Plaza. We filled one hour shifts on December 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on December 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The article above shows who signed up for each shift. The image on the right shows Barry Tobias and his son Alec ringing the bells on December 3. If you would like to ring bells for the Salvation Army let me know. They still need bell ringers for the rest of the month.
One Stop Shopping Event
There will be opportunities to donate wrapping paper for the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, and Crisis Nursery holiday event. This One Stop Shopping event will be held Friday, December 16 all day at White Oaks Mall in the wing formerly occupied by Bergners. If you want to volunteer you can sign up for a 2 hour and 15 minute shift. Some volunteers will distribute wrapping paper and some will serve as personal shoppers. The article above shows who has signed up for each shift.
Rutledge Foundation Youth Angel Tree
We will again be providing Angel Tree gifts for Rutledge Foundation Youth. For more information for this volunteer opportunity see Marty's story above.
Catholic Charities Gift Distribution
Volunteers are need to help set up for the Gift Distribution Event on December 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to help with gift distribution on December 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The article above shows who has signed up for shifts. Let Megan know if you are interested in volunteering, but she will be at the event and it is okay to show up to help.
Special thanks to SPI Micro Pantry Helpers for coordinating the distribution of food donated for Springfield Micro Pantries on December 3 and 5! Bonnie Styles, a member of SPI Micro Pantry Helpers, picked up two boxes donated by the American Association of University Women (image on left) and one box donated donated by the Springfield Garden Club (image on right) for our Ridgely School Micro Pantry. She took the bread from the donation directly to the Ridgely Micro Pantry and transferred the remaining nonperishable food and other items to Ross Hodel who has volunteered to stock the Ridgely Micro Panty in the second half of December. It's wonderful to have extra food and hygiene items for the pantry over the holidays.
We are repeating a list of suggestions of foods and other items to stock in the Ridgely Food Pantry. These suggestions came from people who use food pantries to help feed their families.
1. Everyone donates Kraft Mac and Cheese in the box. They can rarely use it because it needs milk and butter, which is difficult to get from regular food banks. 2. Boxed milk is a treasure, as kids need it for cereal, which they also get a lot of. 3. Everyone donates pasta sauce and spaghetti noodles. 4. They cannot eat all the awesome canned veggies and soup unless you put a can opener in too or buy pop tops.* 5. Oil is a luxury and needed for Rice a-Roni, which they also get a lot of. 6. Spices or salt and pepper would be a real Holiday gift. 7. Tea bags and coffee make them feel like you care. 8. Sugar and flour are treats. 9. They fawn over fresh produce donated by farmers and grocery stores. 10. Seeds are cool in Spring and Summer because growing can be easy for some. 11. They rarely get fresh meat. 12. Tuna and crackers make a good lunch. 13. Hamburger Helper goes nowhere without ground beef. 14. They get lots of peanut butter and jelly but usually not sandwich bread. 15. Butter or margarine is nice too. 16. Eggs are a real commodity. 17. Cake mix and frosting makes it possible to make a child’s birthday cake. 18. Dishwashing detergent is very expensive and is always appreciated. 19. Feminine hygiene products are a luxury and women will cry over that. 20. Everyone loves Stove Top Stuffing.
* At our November 29 club meeting, Ross Hodel reported that he followed this advice and stocked numerous can openers in the Ridgely Pantry. He noted that they were quickly snapped up.
Do you know or are you someone who has a passion to give back to your community? The Rotarians in this image are helping pack essential items for the Illinois Police Department to give to homeless individuals in our community. As a Rotarian, you adhere to the principles of the 4-way Test., which are:
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to all concerned?
Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships?
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
If you find value in these ideals and want to be part of a great organization, right click on the attached link to open our online Membership Application in a new window. You can also click on this link to download an electronic copy of the Membership Application from our Club's website Home Page (www.spirotary.org) in the Download Files section. You can send the completed application to the Membership Committee at illinoisdelta@hotmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Please email images of service activities to Bonnie Styles at bonstyles@yahoo.com. It's easy to take pictures if you have a smartphone, but even an old style camera works just fine. Send me an email (bonstyles@yahoo.com) to let me know when you will be volunteering for a service project, and I will come out and take some images.
Be sure to turn in your Flag Service Project hours for work associated with the Central IL Foodbank, chicken fundraiser, Ridgely Micropanty, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, other holiday events, any other volunteer service that you have not reported. We thank Alec Tobias for joining his dad Barry to ring the bells for Salvation Army (image below).
Monday, December 5 was our final regular meeting of 2022, and we had two featured speakers from the Illinois Symphony Orchestra: Jake Woollen (Assistant Conductor) and Trevor Orthmann (Executive Director) (image on left). They gave concise and inspired comments regarding the Symphony’s role in the two communities it serves – Springfield and Bloomington/Normal – as well as some perspective on the historical impact of community symphonies throughout our nation’s history. They also provided a sampling of the musical entertainment that will be provided in Springfield by the Illinois Symphony Orchestra during the upcoming holiday season. Jake taught Travis how to conduct (image below).
Also note that the Club has successful completed our Citrus Sales for 2022. Members assembled mixed boxes of oranges and grapefruit on December 7 and citurs will be distributed on Friday and Saturday (December 9-10) – from the Underfanger warehouse. Thanks to our Director of Logistics Bill Smith (image on right) and all who helped to make this year’s Citrus fundraiser a success.
On December 7, the Rotary Clubs of Springfield donated oranges to the Central Illinois Foodbank as a part of the annual Citrus Sale Fundraiser. All five Rotary Clubs in Springfield participated in this year’s Citrus Sale. Three of the clubs—our club, Springfield Sunrise, and Springfield South—allowed Rotarians and their clients to purchase oranges specifically for donation to the Foodbank. This year, we donated 190 40-lb. cartons of oranges (image on left)—about 23,750 oranges. This is Rotary’s largest donation of oranges to the Foodbank since our club added the option to buy oranges for them in 2013.
The Rotary Club of Springfield will again be filling an Angel Tree for the youth of Rutledge. These are abused/neglected children who are living in foster care, intact families or independent placements monitored by Rutledge. There are 40 angels available for male and female youth, ages infant – 20, with the child’s name and gift suggestions printed. A gift of $25-50 is suggested.
Our Ridgely micro pantry (image above) and little library (image on left) have officially made their way back outside the building for the community to use once again! Thanks to Vicki Megginson for the image above of the well-stocked micro pantry after she added nutritious food during her August shift. Please feel free to drop off any food/toiletries/cleaning supplies as you see fit. With school back in session, families need these things now more than ever! We thank the Rotarians who signed up for a slot in August, September, October, and November. I encourage everyone to look at this list of Community Gardens and fill the pantry with local fresh fruits and vegetables whenever you're able (
Thanks to all who rang the bells for Salvation Army on Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3 at Schnuck's at Montvale Plaza. We filled one hour shifts on December 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on December 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The article above shows who signed up for each shift. The image on the right shows Barry Tobias and his son Alec ringing the bells on December 3. If you would like to ring bells for the Salvation Army let me know. They still need bell ringers for the rest of the month.
Special thanks to SPI Micro Pantry Helpers for coordinating the distribution of food donated for Springfield Micro Pantries on December 3 and 5! Bonnie Styles, a member of SPI Micro Pantry Helpers, picked up two boxes donated by the American Association of University Women (image on left) and one box donated donated by the Springfield Garden Club (image on right) for our Ridgely School Micro Pantry. She took the bread from the donation directly to the Ridgely Micro Pantry and transferred the remaining nonperishable food and other items to Ross Hodel who has volunteered to stock the Ridgely Micro Panty in the second half of December. It's wonderful to have extra food and hygiene items for the pantry over the holidays.
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