April, 2006 My Fellow Rotarians - Rotary's Global History Fellowship

District 6440 Histories 2005
Vegas Night fundraiser, which allowed club to purchase other playground equipment for community,
Christmas Gifts to local nursing home residents, and child daycare program.
1995-2006—The Carol Stream Rotary Club begins every meeting with the Rotary 4-Way test. Of the
things we think do or say:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build Good Will and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
By reciting that oath for twenty-five years, the club members commit themselves to upholding Rotary
ideals and helping the Carol Stream community.
On December 30, 1980, the Rotary Club of Carol Stream was chartered with about 25 members. On
December 17, 2005, current members celebrated the 25 th anniversary and kicked off a year of
celebration for the club. Club President and charter member, Russ Stock, looks forward to the upcoming
year’s activities, “The Carol Stream Rotary Club has a long history of helping the Carol Stream
community and surrounding area. We intend to continue our projects in the area and around the world.”
The basis for the formation was and remains to “Always look to meet a need” according to long-time
member, Attorney Robert McNees. He points out that most people want to help others but there is only
so much that can be done as an individual. By working together and partnering with the community,
great things can happen. When Glenbard North has needed help and support, “We have provided that
help”. Through the years the support has included awarding student scholarships (approximately 4 per
year), nominating students for vocational scholarships from Rotary International, donating funds for the
post-prom party so that students would have a safe celebration, funding the dugouts for the baseball
team, helping the history classes travel to Gettysburg to study the Civil War, and providing an
opportunity for high school students to study abroad.
Another way the club has helped to meet a need was to partner with the Village of Carol Stream.
McNees reports that the village will call him when there is a family in town that has a fire or a serious
illness that needs outside assistance. The club members also lend manpower and donations to the
Village’s Christmas Sharing Program by filling grocery bags with food and non-perishable goods. The
Club also mans the local beer gardens at community festivals to raise money for human service
agencies. Since 1988, the club has headed the six annual blood drives in the community.
Another motto of the Carol Stream Rotary is the commitment to youth and service to the community.
The club has been responsible for many actions to strengthen Carol Stream and make it a better place to
raise a family. For many years, the club members planted trees on Arbor Day in Carol Stream parks. To
make play areas and ball fields safer, the club installed lightening detectors to warn of storm activity.
This past year, signs were installed at area parks for use with 911 calls. The club has also helped with
signing up organ donors, bike rodeos with the police department, helping with ladybug distribution for
gardens, food baskets for the needy, and last year’s linen drive that rounded up three fire truckloads of
used sheets, towels and blankets for the needy.
Page 140 of 283