This update from the Rotary Foundation gives an impressive snapshot of what the Foundation—and our support of it—is accomplishing.

In the Rotary year of 2014-15, the Rotary Foundation approved 487 district grants that totaled $23.8 million. They supported smaller-scale, short-term projects related the Foundation’s mission.

The Foundation approved 1,078 global grants totaling $64.9 million dollars. Rotary’s global grants support large-scale, sustainable international activities that have measurable outcomes; they support humanitarian projects, scholarships, and vocational training teams.   

And in 2013-14, a total of $235 million dollars was distributed through Rotary’s grant process to the world. This is more than the Rockefeller, JB Morgan Chase, and MacArthur Foundations put together!   

Thank you, Rotarians, for “doing good in the world!”

Today we heard an interesting presentation from Lake Forest resident Andy Hunt, who, along with his wife, Veronica, is opening the area's first medical marijuana dispensary. The facility will be located in Highland Park.

The dispensary, called Elevele, will provide medical marijuana in the form of buds, concentrates, infused edibles, and topical creams to patients who hold valid registration cards under the state's Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program. Under the program, patients suffering from one of dozens of qualifying conditions will be able to legally purchase up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana every two weeks.

When the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club distributed 534 new winter coats to needy children in North Chicago and Highwood recently, the children responded with a flood of handmade and heartfelt thank-you notes and artwork. One child wrote that he had “never had a warm coat of my own before.”

This week we met MICHAEL NERHEIM, Lake County State’s Attorney, who told us about the Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois. RICK LESSER was our host. Next week JEFF HEINEN, Co-CEO of Heinen's Grocery Stores (including Lake Bluff), will be here to tell us about “Operating a Grocery Chain.” DREW IRVIN is our Program Host.

Today we had another rare holiday treat: a demonstration of traditional Indian dance, in the style called Kalakshetra, performed for us by Anagha Sundararajan. Anagha is a University of Chicago graduate law student who has been studying and performing traditional dance since the age of 4 years.

She presented slides and explained briefly the history of traditional styles of dance in various regions of India. These dances are a way of telling stories in a visual "language" using symbolism inherent to the culture of the audience. Most of the dances are religion-themed, with specific gestures and positions representing various Hindu deities.

Here is Anagha performing a dance with musical accompaniment:

We had a delightful treat this morning: our annual visit from the Lake Forest High School Madrigal Singers, who performed several vocal pieces for us. Click here for more videos!

Dictionaries arrived last week, and Project Chair TERRY DESMOND - along with JACK MEIERHOFF, GEORGE ESPLIN, JOHN SWAINE and Highland Park Rotarian KAREN DENNIS - delivered them to Oak Grove School in Highwood. Thanks to MARC MUNDER for also helping out and for taking pictures!

Today we met Steen Metz, a native of Denmark with a very interesting story to tell of his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp as a child.

Mr. Metz was one of only about 7,500 Jews living in Denmark at the time of the German occupation in 1940. For the first few years of the occupation life went on as usual, but all that changed in 1943, when those who had no warning of what was to come, including the 8-year-old Steen and his parents, were loaded into cattle cars and shipped to the Terazin (Theresienstadt) concentration camp in what was then Czechoslovakia.

Today we heard about the photographic adventures of our own JIM FONDRIEST. Along with being a famed dental specialist, Dr. Jim has “developed” into a marvelously talented touring photographer, as anyone who visits his Facebook page will know. Jim displayed some of his nondental work and gave us their back stories. Thanks to Program Chair MARK DEWART.

We were sad to learn recently of the passing of former Club member Tung Hon (T.J.) Jeong. TJ had a remarkable life’s journey - starting as an orphan in war-torn China in 1931, learning English by reading the comics in Texas, getting his PhD in Nuclear Physics, and eventually discovering the wonders of holography. He became a world-renowned pioneer in the field while teaching at Lake Forest College.

Many members remember T.J. fondly. Read more about his life here.

We are proud to announce that, as of today, our club membership is 100% Paul Harris Fellows! Here is our exchange student, Jan Roessler, receiving his Paul Harris certificate and pin today from our Rotary Foundation president Larry Kuhl.

Named for Rotary International founder Paul Harris, the Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Today we heard about what TO do and what NOT to do in the event of a car accident or breakdown. Rick Schumaker and Bruce Bertucci of Rick's Autocare in Highland Park shared their hints and experience. Thanks to Len Dedo for the program arrangements.

LAST WEEK we learned about the challenges of Illinois Election Law Changes from CARLA WYCKOFF, our Lake County Clerk. One interesting phenomenon is the continuing decline in voter turnout - despite the many new programs designed to make it easier to vote. Thanks to DAVID BARKHAUSEN for the program.

As our Club members know, there are several ways we can support our own club's charitable activities as well as the global work of Rotary International. Below is an update on our two fellowship programs.

Four members of the administrative team at Lake Forest High School visited us today to talk about the school's Career Connections program. The program is coordinated by Kathy O'Hara, LFHS Student Service/Community Coordinator (and Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary member).

Superintendent Michael Simeck explained the background for the program in terms of the District's recent process of defining its mission, vision, and goals. He said the school's purpose is to develop accomplished, confident, and compassionate people.

Stewart Foley, Lecturer in Finance at Lake Forest College, opened his presentation by asking, "How many in the room are using Bitcoin?" No one raised their hand, making us the perfect audience for his presentation on what Bitcoin is, why it exists ... and why hardly anyone's using it.

Mr. Foley explained that Bitcoin is an alternative to government-controlled currency. Such an alternative may be appealing because it can't be manipulated by a government the way a fiat currency can be (a fiat currency being one that has value because "the government says so" instead of being tied to the price of gold or some other commodity).

Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It's the second-largest industry in the world, a bigger business than drug trafficking. It is often used to fund the arms and drug trade. An estimated 29.8 million adults and children are being used for the sex trade and forced labor right now across the world.

Several years ago Lake Forest resident Lorraine Dillon became so concerned about this growing problem that she decided to do something about it. She is now president of Right To Be Free, a 501(c)3 non-profit that raises funds for the rescue and rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking, primarily children in Ghana, West Africa.

The organization also raises awareness of human trafficking by giving presentations to local community groups and schools, and Lorraine spoke to our club today.

On July 16 we welcomed two old friends to our meeting: Ellen Young, our new District 6440 Governor (and former president of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Noon Rotary Club); and Ninna Damberg, our 2012-2013 exchange student.

     

Peter Bensinger was appointed head of the US Drug Enforcement Agency by the Gerald Ford administration in 1976 and served in that position through 1981 under Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan. Today Mr. Bensinger is a frequent speaker on the topic of legalization of marijuana, and we were honored to have him as our speaker.

Mr. Bensinger started by giving us a verbal quiz to test our knowledge of the effects of marijuana use, its extent, and the impact on the criminal justice system.

On June 25 we said goodbye to President Larry Kuhl and hello to President Brad Andersen during a festive Installation Dinner at Gorton Community Center.

The event, which was attended by the majority of our members and their spouses, featured a lively social hour followed by a delicious dinner provided by Kenny's Catering. Larry spoke about his year as Rotary president and then introduced Brad Andersen as incoming president and Bill Summers as president-elect. Brad spoke briefly and presented Larry with a plaque to show the club's appreciation for his service.

Today was Larry Kuhl's last regular meeting as our club president, and a very productive year it was. Larry's organizational skills were evident all year as he set goals for himself and the club and then moved us all forward to meet those goals.

During Larry's term our committee structure was refined and members were encouraged to become more actively engaged in committees. Larry also addressed some "housekeeping" issues in our club paperwork and filings - not glamorous but very necessary - and we'll be thanking him for that for years to come.

During Larry's term we also had a highly successful Economic Breakfast fundraiser, in addition to all our regular charitable activities. Fittingly, our club received a Rotary International Presidential Citation for 2013-2014.

Many thanks to Larry for all he's done for our club. Now maybe he can relax a little!

Big Dreams for Little Hearts is a nonprofit foundation established by one of our own members, Ron Salski, who was present to receive the donation. Ron and his wife started the foundation after one of their daughters was diagnosed with an unusual condition that can cause serious heart arrhythmias and they were advised to keep an automated external defibrillator (AED) at home. The foundation helps purchase AEDs for families with children with heart rhythm problems who cannot afford the expensive device, which insurance usually does not cover.

In case you missed our outstanding breakfast and panel discussion on March 5, you can experience it here - minus the delicious breakfast, unfortunately. Watch the video below.

Despite a snowy start to the day, the 2014 Economic Breakfast this morning drew a crowd of almost 200 to listen as noted economists and business experts discussed Illinois' economy and how it impacts businesses.

Today at our meeting we voted on an outstanding slate of candidates to serve as our leadership team for 2014-2015. These new officers and chairs will take office July 1, 2014. We thank them for their commitment to service.

Our board met this week and discussed the great need in two areas of the world after natural disasters, one close to home and the other far away.

The board voted to donate $800 to the District (which will be matched with $200 for a total of $1,000) for relief in Tacloban, the Philippines, after the devastating typhoon there. We also donated $1,000 to the Rotary Club of Washington, Illinois, to assist with recovery efforts after last week's killer tornado.

These grants demonstrate how we can use the power of Rotary to leverage our philanthropic capabilities. Often after a disaster, the Rotary Club on the ground in the affected area is able to determine how our assistance can be put to best use. Rotary gives us a worldwide network of colleagues who share our mission of service and support where it's needed most.

Even closer to home, our own club has raised more than $11,500 for Operation Warm this fall. These donations will buy warm winter coats for children in North Chicago, Highwood, and other areas of need right in our own back yard. Many thanks to Dave Schafer for leading this project.

What do you know about Ethiopia? If you're like many of us, you may be picturing famine, drought, and starving children. But that occurred long ago and in a relatively small area, we learned from Matt Wilson.

Matt recently returned from southern Ethiopia after more than two years of service in the Peace Corps as a trainer of English teachers. He told us about preparing mentally and logistically for an extended period in a foreign country, the training he received from the Peace Corps, the friends he made, the food he learned to love, and much more - all accompanied by photos. 

Today we heard a refreshingly nonpolitical talk on health care reform in the United States - what some of the issues are, what has caused them, and (as far as time permitted) what can be done about them.

Steven Potsic, MD, MPH, FACPM, spoke from a public health perspective about the health care system in the U.S. Although we are fortunate to have outstanding medical care available, there are vast inequities in its accessibility that translate to differences in survival and life expectancy. The World Health Organization ranks the U.S. woefully low in measures of overall quality of the health care system.

Spanish-English dictionaries were delivered today by club members to Oak Terrace and St. James Schools in Highwood. A worthwhile project, well received! Thanks to all who volunteered to prepare and deliver the books.

Our speaker today was Rebecca Mullen, Executive Director of Reading Power. Reading Power is a nonprofit that provides trained reading tutoring to low-achieving kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders in North Chicago schools. Currently there are 160 volunteer tutors working with over 200 students each year.

When was the last time you walked, biked, ran, or fished in one of our Lake County Forest Preserves? Ann Maine, our speaker this morning, inspired us to do one of those things as soon as our schedules permit. Ann, the president of the Lake County Forest Preserve Board, holds a PhD in biochemistry and is passionate and informative on the topic of nature in general and the Lake County forest preserves in specific.

Today we met our new District Governor, Sarah Oliver. Sarah talked about club membership - why people become members, why they stay, and how to share our enthusiasm for Rotary with others. She emphasized that we are our club's best ambassadors - any encounter may become a recruitment opportunity, so all members should be prepared to tell in a few words why they care about Rotary.

Mike Simeck wants every child in our schools to find something he or she is passionate about and be encouraged to pursue it. As Superintendent of Lake Forest Elementary District 67 and High School District 115, he is well positioned to make this vision a reality. Having recently completed his first year in the districts, Mike spoke to our club at breakfast on July 24.

Today our guests were Mike Rummel and Sandra Hart, the Lake County Board representatives for Districts 12 and 13. They made an adroit "tag team" in telling us about their roles on the County Board - and why the County matters to all of us.

Mike opened by asking how many people own property in Lake County ... use the bathroom ... have ever been bitten by a mosquito ... These questions elicited laughs, but Mike explained that via the County Stormwater Management, Sanitary District, Mosquito Abatement District, and more, County government is directly related to everyone's daily life.

Today we bid a fond farewell to our young friend Ninna Damberg, our 2012-2013 Rotary Youth Exchange student from Denmark. During the past year we have come to know and love her for her sunny disposition, her eagerness for new experiences, and her friendly manner. Members of two of Ninna's host families, the Gregorys and the Kennehans, joined us for breakfast today to wish Ninna well.

On May 22 we had our annual Youth Recognition Breakfast, where we honored approximately 80 area young people for their volunteer service. Many of the students and their families attended the breakfast at Forest Park Beach in Lake Forest despite the rain. Entertainment was provided by the Lake Forest High School Brass Quintet.

On April 24 we met the five members of Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange from District 3230 in India. We welcomed Team Leader Satyan (Public Relations) and Team Members Kalai (Event Planner), Ash (Attorney), Karthi (Journalist), and Geetha (Biomedical Research). Each team member told us about his/her background and experiences on their trip.

Our speaker today was Keith Brin, newly elected Clerk of the Circuit Court in Lake County. Keith talked to us about the importance of the clerk's office - it underlies many vital functions such as processing traffic tickets, court cases, divorces, etc. The office is a repository of enormous quantities of documents, and Keith's first goal is to introduce paperless record keeping by instituting an e-filing system.

On February 13 our speaker was Amelia Snoblin, Seton Hall '12, who gave an interesting presentation on her study-abroad experience in Cuba in January 2012. Topics included the Cuban educational system, culture, food, the local economy, and agriculture. 

On January 16 we heard from James Lamont, a fascinating speaker who shared his extensive knowledge of the development and implementation of the atomic bomb. Mr. Lamont lived in Japan in the post-WWII years and has seen firsthand the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He was able to make nuclear fission interesting to our mostly non-scientific audience and corrected a number of common misconceptions about the terminology and characteristics of the bomb.

Club member Tom Coyle also presented a flag from the Rotary Club of Kawana Waters, Queensland, Australia. Thanks, Tom!

Once again this year the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Rotary Club provided new warm coats for children without adequate winter outerwear through a project called Operation Warm. The Rotary Club has sponsored this worthwhile project for the last several years. This year’s chair was David Schafer, the Club’s community service director.

The Club received a $1,000 grant from Rotary International to jumpstart this year’s drive. The Rotary Club of North Chicago made an additional donation of $1,000, many of the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Rotary Club members made individual donations, and the Club received matching grants from the Rotary District level. For the first time this year, an appeal was made to the community at large in an effort to assist more children, and a number of generous donations were received.

Over $9,000 in donations were received this year, funding the purchase of more than 500 coats, which were distributed to children in North Chicago and Highwood through the schools and the Nuestro Center. On December 13 the coats were delivered, and Club members pitched in to unpack, sort, and distribute them to the children. Making the deliveries to the schools was a memorable experience for all the volunteers, reaffirming the importance of this project.

Club member Bill Summers (left) and Forrestal School principal Stacey McNeeley (right) with students in their new coats.

 Club member Russell Clark with South School principal Carol Lombardi.

We had a lightly attended meeting today - possibly many members were still on their way home from holiday trips - but important business was taken care of by the members present. The topic of the day was organizing for the 2013-2014 year by electing our new leadership team.

We now have our seven committees in place, and each committee has selected its next chair. Those chairs will now serve as club directors, in addition to the officers (president, president-elect, immediate past president, secretary, and treasurer) and the vocational service director.

The club's bylaws are being reviewed and will be amended to reflect the new structure.

Today we welcomed new member Jim Held, Lake Forest Chief of Police. Jim was sponsored by Bill Gallagher, Lake Bluff Police Chief, and received his pin from District Governor Rodney Adams, who visited us today.

Our speaker was Gail Hodges, Development Director of Family Service. Many of us see the work of Family Service without ever knowing what Family Service is. Gail enlightened us on the many ways the organization responds to diverse community needs.

On November 7 we heard from Anthony Reinert of Lake Forest, a remarkable young man who has accomplished things that most of us leave on our "bucket list" for decades: He's hiked the full length of the Appalachian Trail, AND he's canoed the entire length of the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana, AND to top it off he traveled by bicycle from here to California - all since graduating from Lake Forest High School in 2010.

On October 24 we had a visit from Mike Yesner, District 6440 Governor. Mike has an extraordinary wealth of information about all things Rotary and is a fascinating man to talk to. Mike spoke to us about the "big picture" of Rotary.

In the last 2 years Rotary worldwide has grown by 10%, but in North America it shrank by 12%. The problem: Clubs are not retaining new members. More attention needs to be given from transitioning new members to Rotarians.

Today our guest was Brian Floriani, Executive Director of Bernie’s Book Bank. The Book Bank, based in Lake Forest, is an innovative new initiative to put books into the hands of children from preschool to sixth grade who would otherwise not have access to them.

Brian left his job as a golf professional to become a reading paraprofessional for Shiloh Park Elementary in Zion, Illinois. The sudden death of his father, Dr. Bernard P. Floriani - for whom Bernie’s Book Bank is named - inspired him to do something different with his life.

Bernie's Book Bank has provided books to 55,000 children across the Chicago area this year, and their goal is to expand to become a nationwide program. Book drives and cash donations are both instrumental in providing this service.

On September 26 we heard a report from Tim Burkhalter, athletic director at Lake Forest High School. Tim ran us though all the different sports the high school offers and listed the many teams that had great finishes last year.

The football team plays its last home game of the season this Friday at Varsity Field. The Scouts are 4-1, but so are three other teams in the division. We wish them luck against Libertyville on Friday.

Tim the the brother-in-law of Rotary member Jayson Kraus.

On September 5 were were visitied by Desmond LaPlace and his wife Jean. Mr. LaPlace has been collecting letters, autographed photos, and other memorabilia from World War II military figures both great and obscure since he was a boy. He brought several fine examples.

Desmond's hobby began in 1944, when he was just 12 years old. He began writing letters to notable generals expressing his admiration for the job they were doing and asking for their photo or autograph. To his delight, most of them responded, sometimes with a personal letter of encouragement. Desmond's hobby grew until he had collected several hundred letters, photos, and artifacts.

He has announced his intention of someday donating his extensive and unique collection to the Pritzker Military Library in Chicago.

Today we had a fascinating presentation by Kenneth Janson, MD (cousin of member Dick Janson) on a topic of interest to all of us: how to take control of the aging process and make the most of our health in later years.

Ken described how, through a combination of a strict diet and exercise regimen and selective hormone replacement, men and women can live longer, healthier lives. He's involved in a venture that takes patients through a rigorous testing process and then develops a customized program for them.

This was food for thought and a great way to start our day!

It was a beautiful day for a parade, and we had a good Rotary contingent. See the photo album for more!

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club has formed a “Rotary Clean Communities Coalition” to keep our towns litter-free. We are seeking volunteers to join our Rotary members in regularly removing litter from our streets and neighborhoods.

For two communities that are among the prettiest anywhere, the presence of litter on our streets and parkways is an eyesore. We need to pick litter up when we see it as we make our way around town and encourage our friends and neighbors to do the same.

The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club will combine a day of service with its annual fall golf outing on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

The day begins with a morning visit to the Green Youth Farm site in North Chicago to help the students harvest their crops. The site is located at the Greenbelt Forest Preserve off of Green Bay Road between 10th and 14th Street on the border of North Chicago and Waukegan.

To view a video on the Green Youth Farm, click on this YouTube Video.

For information or to register, contact club President Chris Webb at chriswebb@webbfg.com.

In the afternoon, Rotary tees off its annual golf outing starting at noon at Conway Farms, located off Route 60 on Conway Farms Road. For a map, visit the Conway Farms Golf Course website.

Conway Farms is a walking golf course. For those with physical restrictions, limited carts are available. Lockers will be assigned to everyone. The cost is $150 per person, and there will be $250 in prizes given out.

For information or to register, contact John Looby at jlooby3@hotmail.com.

The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club Foundation Board of Trustees has successfully completed its inaugural year.

The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club hosted its Youth Recognition Breakfast on May18 at Forest Park's North Beach Pavilion. Over 100 recipients from local area schools were honored for their community service contributions and projects. 

 

Rotary Uncorked Auction   Part Two

 

Rotary Uncorked Auction   Part One

 

The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary believes literacy prevents poverty.  The proceeds from Rotary Uncorked will help fund projects that support this ideal, including College Bound Opportunities, a North Shore based charity.

 

College Bound Opportunities coaches economically disadvantaged students to realize their potential, graduate from college, pursue meaningful professions and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.   College Bound Opportunities draws its candidates from low and moderate income families in North Shore communities including Lake Bluff and Lake Forest.

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club Sends 69 Shelter Boxes to Haiti

The Great Recession: Is It Over? Where Do We Go From Here?

The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary will hold its 11th Annual Plant Sale in Market Square on May 21-22.

Japan Disaster Relief 

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club continues its fundraising effort for Japan Disaster Relief

Lake Forest - Lake Bluff Rotary members were out at area train stations Wednesday morning to raise awareness and funds for special shelter kits to be sent to Japan's earthquake victims

 

Rotary Uncorked  May 13, 2011 

           

As seen in GazeboNews... The LF-LB Rotary has mobilized to provide assistance to Japan's disaster victims

 

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.

An optimist is the human personification of spring.

Here you can post little tidbits of information, reminders, or anything else!

384 children are warmer in North Chicago this winter.

Club establishes Permanent Fund in honor of its 50th Year

The Lake Forest High School Madrigal Singers graced our breakfast today with their beautiful and haunting renditions of classical holiday pieces. There was also an audience singalong - we didn't sound nearly as good as the students, though. Happy Holidays to all our members, friends, visitors, and Rotarians around the world. Here's hoping for a peaceful New Year.

Click here for more photos!

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary will match the $2,500 raised by Deer Path Middle School students in Lake Forest to assist third-world countries in obtaining clean water.

A Rotary International Group Study Exchange team from Taiwan visited the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff  Rotary Club last week as part of the organization's vocational, cultural and ambassadorial effort.

Five hundred similar teams from the U.S. are also visiting different countries around the world as part of this international exchange.

Each team was comprised of a Rotarian leader and four young non-Rotarian professionals who met with local counterpart citizens that had similar skills. In turn, the area Rotary district sent a team to Taipei, Taiwan last month for a similar experience.

The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary club learned much about the island nation, such as:

• Taiwan is a democratic Chinese nation about the size of Tennessee inhabited by more than 23 million people despite 70 percent of the land being mountains
• Taiwan has no natural resources and even has to import sand and gravel for their building construction
•  As a result of its ingenuity, Taiwan possesses no debt and the fourth largest financial reserves in the world

Rotary member Terry Desmond was able to lead a similar team to South Africa for five weeks in the fall of 2010. "A life experience," he related.

Charlie Evans, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, is flanked by Lake Forest-Lake Bluff president-elect Tim Newman (left) and current president Chris Webb. Photo submitted by Bob Kenehan.

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary recently donated hundreds of winter coats to children of North Chicago schools. On had to present the coats were President Chris Webb (left) and Rotary Foundation Chair Fred Jackson.

President Chris Webb (far left) is joined by fellow Rotarians George Esplin, Terry Desmond, Mike Pasquesi and Tom Coyle with students from Oak Terrace Elementary School in Highwood.

  The Rotary Club of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff recognizes Oct. 24 as World Polio Day as part of Rotary’s 26-year mission to eradicate the crippling childhood disease polio.

Rotary is close to reaching its goal of raising $200 million by June 2012 in its campaign to match a $355 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The humanitarian service organization has raised more than $180 million to date. The funding will provide critical support to polio eradication activities in parts of Africa and South Asia.

Since 1985, Rotary has contributed more than $1 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries.

A highly infectious disease, polio causes paralysis and is sometimes fatal.  As there is no cure, the best protection is prevention. For as little as US 60 cents worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life. After an international investment of more than US$8 billion, and the successful engagement of over 200 countries and 20 million volunteers, polio could be the first human disease of the 21st century to be eradicated. 

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is spearheaded by the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).  It includes the support of governments and other private sector donors. 

Rotary invites the public to support the polio eradication initiative by visiting www.rotary.org/endpolio.

 The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club will host a Social Networking Event from 6-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the home of club President Chris Webb and his wife, Diana, in Lake Forest.

See the posted flier for the details.

 

Don and Rick had a great time delivering coats to the kids at Katzenmaier Elementary School in North Chicago on Thursday, December 9th. Thought you might like to see what your Happy Dollars are doing!

The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Rotary Club is pleased to announce that Melanie Quall has been awarded a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship for 2010-11.

President Len Dedo's remarks delivered at the Club's 50th Year Celebration at Conway Farms Golf Club on December 5, 2009.