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

District 6440 Histories 2005
1967 Hosted student from Argentina.
1970 Hosted student from Argentina.
1973 Hosted group of summer exchange students from Austria. Entertained groups of students in
the summer.
1978 Organized the Interact Club - 20 members.
1980 Sent student to South America.
1981-82 Hosted student from Germany.
1983-89 Hosted students from Australia, Japan, Brazil, Ecuador, and Finland.
1994 Hosted one student from Spain and one from the Czech Republic.
1995 Hosting student from France, and sponsoring two outbound students.
1999 Inbound exchange student, Bruno Barbosa, from Brazil. Outbound exchange student to
Germany, Justin Mentell from Waukegan.
2000 Inbound Youth Exchange Student Achinee “Som” Yimklai from Thailand; outbound Youth
Exchange Student Elizabeth Kozlik to Australia
2004 Hosted Inbound Student from Slovakia.
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Rotary Club of West Chicago Chartered Dec. 29, 1953
The first project of the club was the first public swimming pool in West Chicago. It opened in Reed-
Kepler Park July 4, 1955, and was operated independent from the city 17 years until it was transferred to
the city after all bonds were paid off or donated. The next community project was a World Travelogue
series held six times a year at the Community High School auditorium for the past 16 years with profits
derived therefrom used for various community needs.
Project and services of the past years have included: Support for local library, Salvation Army (donut
days), Los Amigos Americanos project, re-building city entry signs, supporting Win-Way Share Food
program, and co-hosting Annual Teacher’s Welcome Luncheon. Funds raised through Las Vegas
Nights, coupon book sales, yard and garage sales, pop stand sales which have generated donations for
local hospitals, Christmas decoration, and personal emergencies which have confronted local citizens
and institutes.
1995 current projects are: Maintenance of the Sam Bishop fund for needy and deserving students at
West Chicago Community High, annual breakfast with Santa with proceeds going to WAYS (Wayne-
Winfield Youth and Family Services), annual fundraiser in conjunction with West Chicago Historical
Society for support of Wayne and Helen Fox Community Center, ongoing support and interest in Nepal
Dentistry Project (pioneered by member John Yancey), coordination for last 14 years of Community
Blood Drive, participation in literacy tutoring, shadowing program in connection with WCCHS,
participation in Immunization for Children, Meals on Wheels delivery, and Local School District
Education for Excellence projects.
1996-05 - Current Membership: 28.
Over the last decade our club has seen some peaks and valleys of membership -- falling as low as 17 and
reaching 30 members in late 2004. Past President, Ed Hedeen (02-03), has been responsible for most of
the upsurge, which currently finds the Club with a membership of 28.
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