Above / Since March 18, 2016, Moser Tower has been highlighted in blue and gold to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Rotary Club of Naperville that is being celebrated March 31. When the tower with the 72-bell carillon turns blue in April, it will be to illuminate a better understanding of Autism.
UPDATE April 1, 2016 / The party’s over! Enjoy the gallery of photos, a sampling of the Rotary Club of Naperville 75th Anniversary Celebration.
Click any photo to enlarge. Close-up photos and “Thumbs Up for Presidents” by Jini Clare, Clare Communications. Long shots and photos of memorabilia by PN.
[shareprints gallery_id=”56825″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”0″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”]UPDATE March 31, 2016 / As of 4:30PM Thurs., March 31, a very limited number (3) of seats were still available and going fast. To see if you can still reserve a spot, call (630) 853-6114.
![Final Rotary Invitation V3 [2]](https://i0.wp.com/www.positivelynaperville.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Final-Rotary-Invitation-V3-2.jpg)
Beginning Fri., March 18, the Rotary Club of Naperville kicked off its 75th anniversary celebration with the illumination of Moser Tower in blue and gold. The event is part of a yearlong celebration marking 75 years of service to the Naperville community and the world beyond.
Since the Rotary Club of Naperville was chartered in 1941, members have dedicated themselves to the Rotary motto, “Service above self.”
“It is with humble pride that we celebrate 75 years of service to our community and the world at large,” said Rotary Club of Naperville President Wendy Hayum-Gross. “Our members represent the best of what it means to come together in service and fellowship and promote positive change here in Naperville and across the globe.”
The Rotary Club of Naperville has been a major benefactor for charitable and community causes since its beginning. Today, through the caring leadership of its members, that tradition continues. The Rotary Club of Naperville provides funding for medical screenings, food pantries, and homeless shelters; supports clean water and health initiatives worldwide; works to eradicate polio globally; funds college scholarships for local high school students; supports homeless veterans through Stand Down Day coat drives and medical screenings; and provides holiday gifts to schoolchildren who otherwise might not receive them.
The community will recognize many lasting gifts the club has made to Naperville, including the all-season recreational area along the Riverwalk at Rotary Hill, also known as “Sled Hill” when it snows.
Other commemorative marks include one of the 72 bells in the carillon of the Moser Tower at the base of Rotary Hill that helped welcome the new millennium. In addition, two Century Walk sculptures— “Horse Market Days” in front of the Pre-Emption House at Naper Settlement as well as “Two In a Million” at Fredenhagen Park —were gifts funded by the Rotary Club of Naperville.
The Rotary Club of Naperville was chartered by Rotary International on March 31, 1941. The 15 original members were leaders in the local business community. The club’s current membership includes 135 men and women in the fields of business, education, government, non-profits, and religion. Many serve in leadership roles with community organizations, boards, and commissions.
Rotary promotes high ethical standards, service to others, and goodwill and peace throughout the world. Luncheon meetings are held beginning at 12:15PM every Thursday at Meson Sabika.
“The Rotary Club of Naperville is grateful for the community’s support and honored to share their celebration,” noted publicist and member Christine Bloom.
The Rotary Club of Naperville also will host a gala at the Embassy Suites on March 31. Rotary International Director Jennifer Jones will be featured as the guest speaker for the evening.
The community is welcome to join in the celebration with cocktails beginning at 6PM, followed by a buffet dinner, a formal program, and dancing.
Tickets are $75 per person. For tickets and more information, visit www.napervillerotary.com.
Embassy Suites Hotel is located at 1823 Abriter Court along the Corporate Corridor.
Editor’s Note: The Rotary Club of Naperville was the first of three Rotary Clubs that now serve this community. In 1991, the original club sponsored and helped to charter the Rotary Club of Naperville-Sunrise. Rotary Sunrise meets at 7AM on Fridays at the Naperville Country Club. In 2007, the Rotary Club of Naperville-Sunrise sponsored the Rotary Club of Naperville-Downtown. Rotary-Downtown meets at 4:44PM on Wednesdays at Hugo’s in Main Street Promenade. All three clubs are members of Rotary International and Rotary District 6450. And all three clubs were represented during festivities on March 31.
One more thing... For more than a decade, Rotary’s biggest community-wide fundraiser was Oktoberfest, held annually in downtown Naperville. Today, live music, the flavor of brats and other German accents continue to be celebrated at Oktoberfest, now revitalized and hosted by Naper Settlement, the city’s outdoor history museum. For 2016, Oktoberfest is slated under the big tent Sept. 30-Oct. 1.
