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

District 6440 Histories 2005
kettles, purchase of Christmas gifts for Winchester House residents, collecting for Misericordia Candy
Days, and bingo at Liberty Towers. Provided volunteer effort for the Condell Medical Center Twilight
Run held in May, 2002. Nine new members were added during the year. Fellowship events included the
annual holiday party, an outing to Wrigley Field, a wine tasting party, and a pool party at the home of
President-Elect Tucker Olson. Inducted 8 new Paul Harris fellows. Purchased and donated three “dorm”
refrigerators to be used as door prizes at the Libertyville High School after-prom party for seniors.
Cindy Harger was selected to receive the club’s “Service Above Self” award for her significant
contributions to the success of The Lake County Haven. Special recognition was given to Dennis
Kratohwil by outgoing President Mike Thompson for his extraordinary efforts in the area of public
relations. Outgoing President Mike Thompson selected Melanie VanHeirseele as Rotarian of the Year.
2002-03 – President Tucker Olson – The club began the year with 66 members. Some of the significant
accomplishments during the year included: The annual Fall Fundraiser dinner and silent auction was
held at the Harrison Conference Center in Lake Bluff and netted over $42,000 to be used for the club’s
charitable giving projects. Installation of the Lightning Detection System at Libertyville proceeded at
parks and playing fields, including the Libertyville Sports Complex, Butler Lake Park, Adler Pool and
Butterfield School, thanks to the generosity of Club member Jeff Harger and his company, Harger
Lightning Protection. An additional $5,000 was contributed toward the continued implementation of the
system. The Village of Libertyville was awarded the Governor’s Hometown Award for the project.
$15,000 was pledged by the club towards the Rotary International program to eradicate polio worldwide.
Over $21,000 was contributed from the club’s Paul Harris Fund, through member contributions, and in
matching funds from the club. The fourth annual Charitable Giving Reception was held on March 26,
2003, and $38,000 was presented to local charities. Hosted inbound Youth Study Exchange Student
from Brazil, Cristiane Silva. Two outbound Youth Study Exchange students were selected to visit Italy
and Ecuador. Co-hosted the 19 th Annual District 6440 Ski Outing for visiting Youth Study Exchange
students with the Libertyville Rotary (Noon) Club. Continued the club’s involvement in highway cleanups,
Harvest Fest, Oktoberfest, bell ringing at Salvation Army kettles, purchase of Christmas gifts for
Winchester House residents, collecting for Misericordia Candy Days, and bingo at Liberty Towers.
Participated in holiday collections for Lake County Haven and Toys for Tots. Collected 5,000 used
books for the Book Worm Angels program to supplement the libraries at schools in Chicago. Sponsored
5 high school students to the Rotary Youth Leadership conference. Inducted 18 Paul Harris Fellows,
including 6 multiple Fellows. Fellowship activities included the annual holiday party, and an outing to
the Dance Center North production of “The Nutcracker.” Purchased and donated three “dorm”
refrigerators to be used as door prizes at the Libertyville High School after-prom party for seniors.
Outgoing President Tucker Olson selected Larry Jelinek as Rotarian of the Year.
2003-04 - President Marty Neal – The club began the year with 70 members. Some of the significant
accomplishments during the year included: The annual Fall Fundraiser dinner and silent auction was
held at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville and netted over $52,000 to be used for the
club’s charitable giving projects and scholarships. Twenty-four members of the club volunteered to
become the first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), a FEMA training program for local
community preparedness. The team will be used to assist emergency service personnel in times of
disaster. Hosted an inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student from Germany, Katarina Kocera. Hosted an
inbound Rotary Youth Exchange student from Brazil, Rochelle DeAssis. Selected two Outbound Rotary
Youth Exchange Students; Jessica Rodriquez to Brazil and Dori Shin to Mexico. The fifth annual
Charitable Giving Reception was held on April 14, 2004, and $46,000 was presented to 28 local
charities. Charter club member Sam Licocci was given honorary membership designation. Continued the
club’s involvement in highway clean-ups, Harvest Fest, Oktoberfest, bell ringing at Salvation Army
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