Home Page | Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills

We are an enthusiastic, diverse group of business and professional leaders who enjoy working with others and taking an active role in our community. Since the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club chartered in 2004, we have been supporting and assisting area organizations and international efforts.

HELP US GROW....As we continue to grow our Club membership, we encourage you to stop in for a visit during any one of our weekly meetings or check out details about becoming a member by clicking HERE.

Please Join Us For Lunch

Service Above Self

We meet Wednesdays at 12:00 PM
Lou Malnati's

8515 Redtail Dr
Village of Lakewood, IL 60014
United States of America

Phone:

(847) 742-3378

Email:

lithribfest@gmail.com

Venue Map

December meetings

During December we will not have any in-person meetings. All will be over zoom on Wednesday at noon. Please click on the attached link to join in. Everyone is welcome!!

Topic: Rotary Meetings - December
Time: Dec 2, 2020 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
       Every week on Wed, until Dec 30, 2020, 5 occurrence(s)
       Dec 2, 2020 12:00 PM
       Dec 9, 2020 12:00 PM
       Dec 16, 2020 12:00 PM
       Dec 23, 2020 12:00 PM
       Dec 30, 2020 12:00 PM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Weekly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZcldO6hqTgoGN31GAb7mPy7QkB0G8PTw-rW/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGrpjgtE9OWshuORpwqGojCKPPwtnZBjY0OzTjEAXdeUhqhB-lgYpUnIOzH

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83837973229?pwd=QjJnUEs1VkhiYWh1ZWFBcFJxNGhhQT09

Meeting ID: 838 3797 3229
Passcode: 878517

Thanksgiving Basket Project 2020

On Sunday November 22nd, , 2020, the Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills will host it’s 34th Annual Thanksgiving Community Basket Project. Themed, , “Give Back, and Give Thanks,” the project provides families in need with a complete turkey dinner and a means to celebrate. 2020 has proven that the faces of those in need are changing in our community - and we are here to help. Signups are being received through the Algonquin/LITH InterFaith Food Pantry, St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Huntley.

LITH Rotary’s “Rockin Rotary RibFest” is the major support behind this project. Due to the fact that our major fundraiser was cancelled this year, we are looking for your help. The Algonquin Jewel (on Randall Rd.) will be accepting donations at its registers. As a shopper you can round up, give a specific amount ($25, $50, $100), or donate any nonperishable items.

Checks can be mailed directly to the Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills, P.O. Box 7386, Algonquin, IL 60102.

** Any donations made directly to the club in the amount of $250 or more, will automatically be entered into a SPECIAL DRAWING.

We welcome individuals and groups that would like to volunteer to contact Lindsay at the number below.

The Alg/LITH Interfaith Food Pantry cannot stress enough, that need is up and donations are down. Recipients of food go through a vetting process and can only receive food from their local food pantry according to their address - people in need are not able to travel to other pantries and receive. It is IMPERATIVE that we help locally, and lift those up that have recently found themselves in a position that a year ago was unthinkable.

For further information contact: LINDSAY HERRERA (815) 546-9415

9-16 Meeting at Happy Hour Yoga

Scholarship Winners Announced

The Lake in the Hills Rotary Club is proud to announce the award of $8,500 in academic scholarships to eight outstanding high school graduates for the class of 2020.

Ribfest 2020 Cancelled

   The 15th Annual Rocking Rotary Ribfest, scheduled to take place July 9-12, 2020 at Sunset Park, Lake in the Hills, has been cancelled due to the current coronavirus pandemic.

     In consideration of the “Restore Illinois” guidelines issued by the State of Illinois, including the capacity restrictions until Phase 5 has been achieved, in conjunction with a concern for the safety of Ribfest attendees, volunteers and entertainers, the Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills has determined that it is not practical to hold the event this year.

     The decision to cancel Ribfest came only after numerous discussions within the committee, after careful consideration and research.

     The Ribfest is the major fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills, providing funds for the club to achieve many of its goals, some of which include funding a number of local community service initiatives & projects, scholarships to local seniors, and grants for local not-for-profits servicing the Lake in the Hills community.

      The Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills looks forward to seeing everyone at Ribfest 2021!

2020 Grant Applications

2020 Grant applications are now being accepted.

The Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills, one of the more than 34,000 worldwide Rotary clubs, has supported community nonprofit organizations through fundraising and subsequent grants for the past 11 years.

The Club is seeking proposals for projects and programs that help improve the quality of life for Lake in the Hills (LITH) and McHenry County residents most in need.

Grants Available:

*MAJOR Support Award-maximum of 4 awards @ $1000 (maximum) each

*IMPACT Award- 1 award @ $2000 (maximum)

*TEAM Support Award- 1 award @ $3000 (maximum)

Applications can be downloaded from the link on the lower left of this page

Edited 2-29 with correct available grants.

Meeting location change

It's that time of year again! Our next meeting, December 18 @ noon will be at Jacobs HS for our annual turkey distribution. The next regular meeting will be January 8 at Lou Malnatis @ noon. Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Club Grants Available!

The Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills, one of the more than 34,000 worldwide Rotary clubs, has supported community nonprofit organizations through fund raising and subsequent grants for the past 11 years.

The Club is seeking proposals for projects and programs that help improve the quality of life for Lake in the Hills (LITH) and McHenry County residents most in need.

Grants Available:

*MAJOR Support Award-maximum of 3 awards @ $2000 (maximum) each

*IMPACT Award-1 award @ $4000 (maximum)

*TEAM Support Award-1 award @ $3000 (maximum)

Please go to the links at the bottom left of this page for further information and applications!

Phil's Friends Blanket Making Project

On April 4th the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club will combine forces with the Jacobs Interact Club to make blankets for Phil's Friends. We will not hold our regular meeting at noon.

Looking for Volunteers for our Thanksgiving Basket Project

On Sunday November 19th we will be distributing the food families will need to prepare meals for Thanksgiving. In preparation to distribute food to close to 200 families we will need a lot of help. Here are the times we need help with.

Friday: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM or a little later.

Unload food, boxes and sort food

Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Unload more food and assemble packages for distribution.

Sunday: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Assist with folks that are picking up food or deliver food to the folks that can't make it to us.

All of this is taking place at Lake in the Hills Village Hall located at 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156. If you are available please contact Jim Benages at 847-721-5677 or email lithrotarybasket@gmail.com

Thanksgiving Basket Project

On Sunday November 19th the Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills will hand out and deliver Thanksgiving baskets to families in need. The baskets will contain the typical items a family would need to host a nice Thanksgiving meal. If you are in need or you are aware of someone that could use a little additional help as we enter the holiday season please pass this information along. The sign up form for the baskets is under forms on the left side of this page.

Visioning Session

The regular meeting of the club for October 4 will be cancelled as the entire club will be participating in a Visioning Session that week! The Visioning Session will be an active 3 1/2 - 4 hour workshop involving all club members. The outcome of session will help create a plan to achieve the vision as to what the club would like to accomplish over the next three years both locally and around the world. During the session, led by four facilitators from Rotary District 6440, the members will discuss the Club’s future in areas such as community service, vocational service, international service and the efforts of creating a stronger Club organization.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians who are members of more than 30,000 Rotary clubs in 169 countries.

2017-2018 Installation Dinner

On Sunday, June 25, 2017, our Club held the 2017/2018 Installation dinner. Our incoming President Jim Benages and the Board of Officers and Directors were installled for the 2017/2018 Rotary year. Representing the District leadership was our very own Assistant Governor Mary Bishop and District Governor Nominee, Julie Clark, who conducted the installation. It also was an opportunity for members to hear what is being planned by our new president for the upcoming year! Good luck Jim!

LITH Rotary Club Seeking Community Projects

The Lake in the Hills Rotary Club is interested in providing support, both monetarily and hands-on, which directly impacts an organization or individual located in Lake in the Hills. To submit a request, please email a brief description of your organization, project or need along with who will benefit from your work to Dot Dustin atddustin@dustinandcompany.com

It is through the fundraising efforts of the Rotary Ribfest and other programs that the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club is able to provide support locally and internationally to a variety of organizations.

The Lake in the Hills Rotary Club is a volunteer organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and build goodwill. Club meets weekly on Wednesday, Noon to 1:00 p.m. at Moretti’s Ristorante in Lake in the Hills. To learn more about the Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills, visit www.lith.org .

2016-17 Grant Winners Announced

Posted on May 27, 2017

2016 Lake in the Hills Rotary Rockin' RibFest proceeds fund numerous local organizations and projects. During the months of April and May 2017, not-for-profit organizations all over McHenry county were given the opportunity to submit grant proposals for a share of $19,000 in grant awards.

Battle of the Books 2017

Posted on May 05, 2017

Last year, we donated money to a local school for a program called "Battle of the Books" so that books could be purchased for 4th and 5th graders. They split up into teams, had an opportunity to read 30 different books and then 'compete' on what they remembered from what they read. Today was one of those competitions. We had the pleasure of moderating several of the rounds. It was so much fun to share in the kids' excitement and amazing how much recall they had from the stories they read!

Scholarship Opportunities 2017!

Please share with any high school seniors you know who may be eligible to benefit!

The Rotary Club of Lake in the Hills is offering scholarship opportunities for graduating high-school seniors. The following is a breakdown of the different scholarships available for the school year 2016/2017:

Tom Stock Memorial Scholarship: This $3,000 scholarship will be awarded to one high school senior who is a Rotary Interact member, demonstrates academic excellence, a significant commitment to community service and is involved in extra-curricular activities.

Service Above Self Scholarship: This $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to one high school senior who successfully demonstrates academic excellence and a significant commitment to service.

Making a Difference Community Scholarship: This $1,500 scholarship will be awarded to four high school seniors who successfully made a difference in our community.

Completed applications are due April 29, 2017.

For more information and the application, go to link on this page, left side, under Forms, Scholarship Information and Application or go to:

https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000002386/en-ca/files/homepage/scholarship-information-and-application/Scholarship-Application.pdf

Literacy is for ALL Ages

Literacy is the ability to read, view, write, design, speak and listen in a way that allows you to communicate effectively. The power of literacy lies not just in the ability to read and write, but rather in a person’s capacity to apply these skills to effectively connect, interpret and discern the intricacies of the world in which they live.

We are all "Phil's Friends"

Posted on Mar 15, 2017

A real team approach to Service above Self...

Serving at the STC Soup Kitchen!

1-13-17

The first service project for the Club for 2017 was held on 1-13-17 at the STC Soup Kitchen, located on the north side of Chicago. Our club participates in many service projects, embracing the philosophy that community can be interpreted as being local, regional or international. The simple goal of the club is to embrace and operate under the current Rotary year theme which is "Rotary Serving Humanity". As such, our club is dedicated to taking on projects that serve persons of need locally and beyond! The STC soup kitchen has been in operation for about 40 years and serves between 90 - 150 guests. This has become an annual trek for the club, filling in at a time when their normal volunteer base isn't able to meet the need.

On Eagles Wings!

The Club met on 12-14-16 at Jacobs High School. It was a very special event as club members had the opportunity to tour the in-school food pantry that the club partnered with District 300 to start. The club provided initial funding of $5,000 to help initiate the project and has committed to supporting the project on a long term basis. The project, called "On Eagles Wings", enables students to bring home supplemental food supplies as well as other supplies. After the tour, the club members delivered Holiday food baskets to students (and their families) participating in the food pantry.

What a week!

This has been quite a week for our club members!

As is required by our bylaws, the election of Officers and Directors took place at our first meeting in December, which was December 7, 2017. Elected Officers for the 2017-2018 term were the following: Jim Benages as President, Bill Dustin as President- Elect, Jim Wales as Secretary, Yvonne Cornett as Treasurer. Elected Directors to the Board were Steve Swanson, Colleen Wales, Ron Magrini and Jack Bechaud. Dot Dustin, the current President will serve as Immediate Past President. These positions are effective July 1, 2017.

Another item on the agenda for this week was the annual ringing the bells for the Salvation Army. Every year our club selects a date to go out to help this non-profit raise funds to help the needy. Invariably, it almost always turns out to be one of the coldest days and this year was no exception. Braving the cold this year, a great number of club member showed up to help ring the bells! It may have been freezing but the warmth brought on by the comaraderie between members helps the club achieve this objective every year!

The last major item addressed by the club this week was the authorization of sending emergency relief funds in the amount of $1,000 to the Rotary Club of Gatlinburg Tennessee. That area has been devastated by wildfires with loss of life, injuries and a substantial number homes damaged or destroyed and the Rotary Club for Gatlinburg has initiated efforts to help wherever they can.

$45000 Donation to Build Veterans Memorial

In May 2014, the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club announced that they would be donating $45,000, toward the construction of the Veterans Memorial located at the Lake in the Hills Village Hall.

LITH Rotary Club President Dot Dustin presents the third of three $15,000 checks to Paul Mulcahy, Village President

And Another Grant Award is issued........

As the Rotary year winds to an end, the Club had the pleasure of awarding a major grant award of $1,800 to Options and Advocacy for McHenry County. Prior to the presentation, Executve Director Cindy Sullivan gave a presentation to the club on organization. Options and Advocacy is an organization with the goal of empowering individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through advocacy and coordination of service options for a better life.

Executive Director Sullivan presenting on the organization she leads.

Presentation of $1,800 check!

And the Major Grant Awards Keep on Being Awarded!!

This year, the Club started a new program initiated by our Community Service Committee. The Major Grant Awards program started with a call for applications from organizations and entities for programs and projects that help improve the quality of life for Lake in the Hills and McHenry County residents. One of the requirements was that the project should demonstrate a need not currently supported by the organization's ongoing operating budget. Proposals were due by May 15, 2016 and the Club received 25 completed grant requests! This made it extremely difficult for the Community Service Committee as all the applications represented projects that clearly were worthwhile and beneficial to the community. The Club started issuing the awards on June 1, with TLS Veterans receiving a $2,000 grant which will enable them to implement upgrades at the New Horizons transitional living home. On June 8, 2016, the Club issued a $2,000 award to the National Alliance on Mental Illness - McHenry County (NAMI). This award will enable NAMI to provide Mental Health First Aid Training to approximately 120 first responders from the Lake in the Hills area. On June 15, 2016, the Club awarded its 3rd Major Grant Award to Turning Point, a domestic violence agency serving McHenry County. Turning Point assists victims of domestic abuse with advocacy services, counseling and emergency shelter. Jane Farmer, Executive Director for Turning Point, told the members at the meeting that the award of $2,000 will be used to purchase a new refrigerator for their shelter as well a bed.

Today, the Club awarded Grant # 4 and Grant #5! The first grant went to the Senior Care Volunteer Network, an organization dedicated to help seniors remain independent and at home for as long as possible. Their successful grant application for $1,540 will fund a senior birthday bag program for 750 recipients. Executive Director Sarah Ponitz was on hand to receive the award. The second award was to Mane in Heaven, an organization that provides therapeutic benefits through animal assisted activity and therapy visits with miniature horses. Their successful grant application for $651 will help fund educational and therapy visits. Board members Jennifer Chernak and Hans Mach were on hand to accept the award on behalf of Mane in Heaven.

Executive Director Sarah Ponitz receiving grant check!