Above / Rotary Club of Naperville presents 13 grants totaling more than $70,000 to nonprofit organizations with proceeds from Holiday Parade of Lights. (Photo courtesy RCN)
The Rotary Club of Naperville recently awarded more than $70,000 to thirteen local nonprofit organizations as a result of The 2022 Holiday Parade of Lights held Thanksgiving weekend in downtown Naperville.
The Rotary Club of Naperville assumed organization responsibility for the parade in 2021 as the Club’s signature fundraiser and has raised money each year to benefit local nonprofits. Dubbed “a parade with a purpose,” the proceeds raised from the Holiday Parade of Lights are awarded to area nonprofits who support diverse populations and the community in meaningful ways, including organizations that support community and educational programs for youth; food, housing, and employment; and mental health awareness.
This year’s recipients were The Alive Center; DuPage County ACT-SO; Highland Park Community Foundation; Jack and Jill of America Foundation West Suburban Chapter; Little Friends, Inc.; Naperville Police Foundation; Naperville Professional Fire Fighters for a Cause; PAGES – Partners for a Collaborative Education Service; PAGES – Parents Advocating for Greater Enrichment of Students; PATHS – Parents and Administrators Together Helping Students; Spirited Pearls Foundation; SUCCESS Program – Schools Using Coordinated Community Efforts to Strengthen Students; and The Leadership Initiative.
“My theme for The Rotary Club of Naperville this year focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly for youth, and I am proud that our Club can provide financial support for these organizations that impact the lives of so many in our community,“ said Kim White, Rotary Club of Naperville President.
The Rotary Club of Naperville would also like to thank the sponsors and donors who helped make the parade possible, as well as the help provided by the City of Naperville, the Special Events & Community Arts (SECA) Grant Fund Program, the Naperville Police Department, Naperville Park District, and NCTV-17.
The Rotary Club of Naperville was founded on March 31, 1941 with 15 members, Today, the Rotary Club of Naperville has over 100 members who are dedicated to “service above self,” providing a wide variety of service projects in the community and globally. The Club meets at 12:15PM most Thursdays in person or on Zoom, and guests are welcome to join.
The Rotary Club of Naperville since 1941
The Rotary Club of Naperville is a member of Rotary International, one of the first humanitarian organizations, and is a part of over 35,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 200 counties and geographical areas with 1.2 million members worldwide. The purpose of Rotary fellowship is to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to help build goodwill and peace in the world. The Rotary Club of Naperville includes members who are leaders in the fields of business, education, religion, nonprofit organizations, government, and many other vocations.
For more information, visit www.rotaryclubofnaperville.org.
Report submitted by Dave Della Terza for Rotary Club of Naperville.
Four Rotary Clubs of Naperville
In addition to the Rotary Club of Naperville, this city is home to three other Rotary Clubs, all members of Rotary International and Rotary District 6450; and each with different leadership, personality and fundraising goals as well as members that meet at a different time and place.
Chartered in 1991, the Rotary Club of Naperville-Sunrise meets from 7-8AM every Friday (except the last of each month!) at Naperville Country Club from April through the end of the year and at other locations when NCC is closed for the season. Meetings for February 2023 are planned at Alive Center and for March 2023 are set to be held at DuPage Children’s Museum. March is an important time to go green for fundraising with Rotary-Sunrise. Registration is now in progress for its annual St. Paddy’s 5K, set for Sat., March 11.
Chartered in February 2007, Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown meets weekly at 4:44PM on most Wednesdays. On the second and fourth Wednesdays the club meets in person at Angeli’s Restaurant, 1478 E Chicago Ave. Other meetings on the first and third Wednesdays are via Zoom. No meeting if there is a fifth Wednesday in a month.
Chartered in 2017, Rotary Club of Naperville After Dark meets selected Tuesdays at 6:30PM at the Knights of Columbus, 615 E. Ogden Ave.
Member Rotarians are known to “make up” meetings by attending meetings at other Rotary Clubs in Naperville, in Illinois, the United States and throughout the world. Visiting other Rotary Clubs is a great way to learn about Rotary projects and fundraisers that can make a difference for unmet needs as well as to experience first hand what’s happening in other communities. Rotary Clubs meet to build friendships, goodwill and peace worldwide with a motto of “Service above Self.” Guests are welcome. Guest fees vary from club to club.
