Community Services Director Brandy Zanger and all of us thank club members for volunteering for five October service projects.
United Way Day of Action
On Friday, October 2, our Rotary Club team (image below) was proud to once again participate in the United Way of Central Illinois Fall Day of Action!
Our team partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois to organize and consolidate board games, flash cards, and puzzles in the organization’s donation room. As part of the project, our members carefully inspected games and puzzles to make sure all the pieces were present and everything was complete, functional, and ready to use.
We also checked flash card decks and organized the collection to make better use of the available storage space.
This hands-on project will make these resources more readily available for use and free up valuable space for other productive purposes.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside United Way of Central Illinois and Big Brothers Big Sisters and to support organizations working every day to strengthen our community.
We thoroughly enjoyed our usual ice cream treats after we completed our project.
RISE Springfield Professional Clothing Drive
On Friday, October 9, our Club was proud to once again support the RISE Springfield Annual Give & Take Professional Clothing Drive, coordinated by the Young Professionals Network and held at the Salvation Army Community Center. Club members donated gently used professional clothing for this event, Brandy Zanger delivered the clothing. Saturday October 10 was clothing pickup day for those needing to update or build their professional wardrobe. This drive gives people in our community the professional attire they need for interviews, career changes, and workplace success. We donated approximately 50 items of quality men’s & women’s clothing to support the cause (image on left). Brandy was happy to deliver our donations (image below). 
Donation of Dictionaries to Ridgely Elementary School
In October, our Club provided 47 dictionaries for Ridgely Elementary School third graders, helping students build vocabulary, strengthen literacy skills, and develop a lifelong love of learning. This community service initiative was taken up by club member Dan Milligan, whose efforts are helping bring additional educational resources into the classroom. Dan’s donation included more than dictionaries. Students can also explore geography and cultures around the world through foreign coins and currency he accumulated from Norway, Canada, Switzerland, and Honduras. Two one-minute timers were also provided for classroom activities. These educational resources offer students new ways to discover the world, expand their knowledge, and make learning more engaging. Thank you Dan for your investment in our children’s education, which helps build a stronger community and a brighter future for everyone!
Donation of Candy for The Outlet Trunk or Treat
On October 26 and 27, club members donated candy for The Outlet’s Trunk or Treat Event. Ken Gilmore delivered the candy to the Outlet.
Stocking of Little Libraries and Ridgely Food PantryIn October, we recently refreshed and restocked the Little Libraries at Ridgely Elementary School (image on left) and Springfield Firehouse No. 5(first image below), Springfield’s first Black firehouse, with new books for readers to enjoy. John Webb also replenished the Ridgely Elementary School Micropantry (second image below) with food to help ensure children and families in the neighborhood have access to nourishment when needed.
We’re glad to support these community resources and help keep books and food available to those who need them!