The Rotary Club of Downers Grove’s newest members distributed mini-grant stipends to local organizations earlier this month. As part of their development, each new Rotarian was asked to identify their favorite Not-for-Profit / Charity for a $1,000 donation.  
 

The Rotary Club of Downers Grove reviews applications from organizations throughout the year. Funding primarily comes from Rotary GroveFest proceeds.  

MINI-GRANT APPLICATION CRITERIA

• Each application must be a non-profit organization based in Downers Grove or serving Downers Grove residents.  
• Distributions are made to organizations that promote basic humanitarian needs.  These include the simplest of needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, physical and mental health, education, and sanitation.
• Rotary funds must have a measurable impact on the organization and the community it serves.
• Applications are judged on their merits.  No distributions are made to individuals, political groups or for political activities, or to Rotarians or their families.  

Completion of the mini-grant application is required for consideration. If your organization is interested, the application can be found on the club's website dgrotary.org. 

Michelle Imes
When I first heard about SEASPAR many years ago, I was touched by their mission to offer organized sports programs and activities for children with disabilities.  I chose them as the recipient of the mini-grant because I work with children with disabilities and have seen the joy it brings them to be involved in sports and a member of a sports team.    I have great respect and admiration for what SEASPAR does.

Pictured with Michelle Imes, Matthew Corso, SEASPAR Executive Director


Tinamarie Hernandez
Rotary is all about supporting our community and so is Diveheart, so I thought it was a perfect match. Bill Bogdan added “With this generous donation from the Downers Grove Rotary Club we will be able to help support our Women of Diveheart Program.  Thank you so much Rotary".

Diveheart is a nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. The purpose of Diveheart is to provide and support educational scuba diving programs that are open to any child, adult or veteran with a disability, with the hope of providing both physical and psychological therapeutic value to that person.

Tinamarie Hernandez presents $1,000 check to Bill Bogdan, board member for Diveheart


Rob Brannigan
A couple of years ago, I organized a food drive for Downers Grove Area FISH food pantry. The
people who volunteer their time there were so great. I became a senior driver for them. I've really
enjoyed volunteering there so when the opportunity came to be able to donate money to them.
from the Rotary Club, it was a no-brainer. They absolutely deserve it.


Courtney Sustr
I'm proud to support the programs and initiatives of NAMI DuPage who provide vital support to individuals and families navigating the challenges of mental health.
 
Pictured: Jessica Schneider- Director of Community Education and Courtney Sustr


Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson is acutely aware of the challenges facing anyone who has lost a child, especially fathers. He serves on the Board of Directors of Dad’s Of Steele.  Their mission is to strengthen families and communities by encouraging & equipping Dads to be more present in their children's lives.

Pictured: Chris Johnson and David Steele, Founder of Dads of Steele


Further donations to be featured in future newsletters.
 

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Rotary members are still needed to volunteer for Halloween Window Painting, our second October Done In A Day project.

Volunteers Needed!
Friday, October 20th - 4:00 - 5:00 pm Window Striping
Saturday, October 21st - 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Saturday, October 21st - 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Contact Barb Webster or Ann Hattan if you can help.

Hosted by our Club and the Downers Grove Downtown Management Corp, families are encouraged to bring a canned goods donation for the Downers Grove Area FISH in exchange for paints.

And, on Sunday, October 22nd, starting at 1pm until the candy runs out, is the annual downtown businesses trick or treating!

Congratulations to our two Chicago Marathon finishers, Ralphel Jimenez and Chris Walquist!  We are so impressed with your strength and determination. You're an inspiration to us all!

Rotary International today announced Chicago as the winner to hold its annual international convention at McCormick Place West Building, May 25-29, 2030. Rotary members and participants from around the world will gather in Chicago to connect, learn from each other and various experts, and share ideas for bringing positive, lasting change to communities across the globe. The annual Rotary convention was last held in Chicago in 2005 and was attended by approximately 40,000 participants. 

The Rotary Club of Downers Grove is excited to announce the availability of Community Grants!  Please complete and submit the attached for consideration.  Community Grant Application.

Since becoming president on July 1st, our club has been busy.  We had Rotary GroveFest in June and in September we donated $22,000 to the non-profit organizations that helped out at Rotary GroveFest.  Our Done In a Day projects so far:

• August we donated 100 of the most needed items to the FISH Food Pantry,
• September we volunteered at the Fine Arts Festival.
• October was our Halloween Window Painting and we collected coats for Veterans Stand Down Day.
• November was our Grove Express race on Thanksgiving morning. 

• Advocate Charitable Foundation
• Brendan's Smile Foundation
• Catholic Charities
• Community Adult Day Center
• DuPage Habitat For Humanity
• Family Shelter Service
• FISH Food Pantry
• From Walls to Wages
• grit2
• Hope's Front Door
• Navigate Adolescence
• Sharing Connections
• The Backpack Project
• Watts of Love

On December 1st, we had a scavenger hunt to collect items for Family Shelter Service.

With the $22,000 we presented to the non-profits for Rotary GroveFest and the community grants we have awarded since July 1st, we have given $35,500 back to our community!  Great job fellow Rotarians!

I look forward to celebrating with you at our holiday party on December 12th.


 

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We welcome Rapheal Jimenez to our Club!  Raphael recently started at Che Figata in Naperville's CityGate Centre.

Alison Fudacz was inducted into our Club on Tuesday, September 20th!  Born in California, Alison moved here as a child for her dad's work.  Alison graduated from pharmaceutical school and has been a Clinical Pharmacist with RML for the past 15 years.  Alison acts as the bridge between RML and the transplant team, dedicated to ensuring post-transplant patients achieve the best possible outcomes.  Alison has three children, 15, 17, and 19, all graduated or attending Downers Grove South High School.  Alison is joining Rotary as she believes everyone needs to be more involved in their community.