Based on the recent news and community focus from Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL, here are two recommended Rotary service or fundraising opportunities aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus:
1. Food Waste Reduction and Community Cooking Workshops
Context:
A feature story highlights the importance of fighting food waste using globally inspired recipes. Food insecurity remains a concern in parts of Lake County, especially in Waukegan and surrounding communities. Educational initiatives that combine reducing food waste and improving cooking skills can address both hunger and environmental impact.
Potential Partners:
- Northern Illinois Food Bank (which serves Lake County)
- University of Illinois Extension—Lake County (agricultural and nutrition outreach)
- Local grocery stores (e.g., Mariano’s, Jewel-Osco) for in-kind produce donations
- Lake County Environmental Commission
Next Steps:
- Contact the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Extension Office to discuss collaborative workshops.
- Organize monthly “Community Cooking Nights” featuring recipes that use surplus or ‘imperfect’ produce; include rotating guest chefs to showcase global cuisines.
- Recruit Rotary volunteers to facilitate sessions, handle logistics, and promote food rescue techniques.
- Partner with local grocery stores to secure produce donations approaching expiration.
- Publicize events in English and Spanish, targeting lower-income neighborhoods and youth organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Club) for broader impact.
- Measure impact by tracking participation, pounds of rescued food, and meal distribution.
2. Community Safety & Advocacy: Campaign for a Traffic Light on Roosevelt Road
Context:
A recent editorial urges the community to advocate for a long-delayed traffic light installation on a busy, dangerous stretch of Roosevelt Road. Pedestrian and vehicular safety is a significant issue, particularly for youth commuting to schools and elderly residents. This aligns with Rotary’s focus on supporting communities and building safer public infrastructure.
Potential Partners:
- Local school districts in Gurnee and Waukegan
- Village of Gurnee and City of Waukegan transportation departments
- Lake County Division of Transportation
- Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs)
- Local media outlets for coverage
Next Steps:
- Organize a Rotary-led petition drive and awareness campaign to highlight the need and urgency of the traffic light.
- Host a community safety forum with local officials, inviting residents, especially youth and seniors, to share personal stories.
- Collaborate with PTAs and school leadership to distribute educational materials about safe routes to school.
- Seek funding or matching grants through Rotary District or Foundation sources to help support engineering studies or safety improvements.
- Present petition results and community testimonials to the Lake County Board and Illinois Department of Transportation to escalate the issue.
- Evaluate success by tracking project milestones and local agency engagement.
Both projects directly address current events in the community and leverage Rotary’s core values of service, partnership, and sustainable impact.
1. Maternal and Child Health Initiative: Supporting Families Affected by Hospital Service Closures
Context:
Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan is suspending its obstetrical and neonatal services, leaving expectant mothers and families in Lake County without local access to safe childbirth and newborn care. The Illinois Hospital Report Card notes only 38% of patients would recommend the hospital, emphasizing a trust and resource gap. Families with limited transportation or financial means now face rising barriers to maternal and infant health care.
Potential Partners:
- Black Lives Matter Lake County Resource Center (Executive Director Clyde McLemore)
- Lake County Health Department
- Local churches and faith organizations
- Mothers’ support groups (e.g., NAMI Motherhood, March of Dimes IL Chapter)
Next Steps:
- Host an urgent community meeting at the BLM Lake County Resource Center to hear from affected families and identify immediate needs (transport, education, prenatal supplies).
- Partner with the Health Department to organize quarterly “Healthy Beginnings” drives—distributing diapers, baby formula, car seats, and educational materials.
- Fundraise for a transportation assistance program, helping expectant mothers get to Evanston or Highland Park hospitals.
- Seek Rotary District grant support and establish a steering committee coordinating ongoing maternal health advocacy and resource delivery.
2. “Healthy Food for Schools” Campaign: Improving Student Nutrition in Waukegan
Context:
Waukegan schools are seeking new food vendor bids after widespread and consistent student complaints about meal quality and satisfaction. This illustrates a systemic problem with school nutrition, impacting student health, academic engagement, and equity.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Public School District stakeholders (Board, school nutrition director)
- Local farmers and food co-ops
- Gurnee Park District and urban garden networks
- Advocates for Healthy Youth and student organizations
Next Steps:
- Facilitate focus groups or listening sessions with students and families to identify specific meal concerns and culturally appropriate food needs.
- Collaborate with local growers and food co-ops to pilot a “Farm to School” day, introducing fresh produce and healthy recipe demos in cafeterias.
- Launch a Rotary-backed mini-grant competition, inviting student clubs to design campaigns that educate peers about healthy eating and food waste reduction.
- Raise funds for kitchen equipment upgrades or a mobile produce cart serving Waukegan schools, and advocate for vendor contract guidelines prioritizing nutrition and local sourcing.
1. Youth Literacy & Education Excellence Initiative: Lake County Spelling Bee Enhancement & Sponsorship
Context:
Local seventh-grader Visharad Sathish has garnered attention for winning the Lake County Regional Spelling Bee and advancing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Seventy-three schools across the county and hundreds of students participated, demonstrating a strong local interest in youth academic enrichment and literacy. The success and visibility of spelling bees create an opportunity to further support youth education—a key Rotary area of focus.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education
- Local schools and PTOs (e.g., Woodland, Gurnee, Waukegan schools)
- Local library systems (Waukegan Public Library, Warren-Newport Public Library)
- Corporate sponsors (bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, literacy-focused businesses or nonprofits)
Next Steps:
- Reach out to the Lake County Regional Office of Education to explore collaboration and alignment with their existing spelling bee structure.
- Develop a Rotary “Youth Literacy Champion” program: Sponsor spelling bee enrichment workshops, provide practice materials, and offer travel expense support for regional/regional winners advancing to national competitions.
- Organize fundraising events (such as a Community Adult Spelling Bee) that both raise funds and awareness for youth literacy programs.
- Explore long-term partnerships for Rotary literacy mentorship—including afterschool or summer reading programs—in conjunction with local libraries and schools.
- Leverage the visibility of current champions (like Visharad Sathish) as ambassadors for literacy, inviting them to share their experiences with younger students at Rotary-sponsored events.
2. Community Well-being & Food Security: Healthy Schools Meal Partnership
Context:
Recent news highlighted Waukegan schools seeking new food vendors due to consistent student dissatisfaction with meals, indicating ongoing challenges around student nutrition and food quality in local public schools. Adequate nutrition is essential for student health, well-being, and academic achievement, tying directly into Rotary’s focus areas of health and education.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 (especially Nutrition Services department)
- Local health departments (Lake County Health Department)
- Nonprofits focused on youth and nutrition (Northern Illinois Food Bank, local YMCA)
- Local food producers and restaurants
Next Steps:
- Schedule a dialogue with school district officials to identify major barriers to student meal satisfaction and participation rates in school meal programs.
- Organize “Healthy Schools Taste Test” events where students, families, and community members sample options from prospective vendors, with Rotary volunteers collecting feedback and helping facilitate community engagement.
- Raise funds for a Rotary Healthy Meals Innovation Grant: helping schools pilot new meal programs, conduct nutrition education assemblies, or equip kitchens with resources for scratch-cooked healthy meals.
- Partner with local chefs or restaurant associations for “Chef in the Classroom” demonstrations, teaching students about healthy eating and food preparation.
- Explore collaboration with local farms for farm-to-school sourcing, and promote volunteer opportunities for Rotarians in nutrition education and garden-to-cafeteria programming.
Certainly! Based on recent news and developments from Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL, and Rotary’s areas of focus, here are two recommended Rotary service or fundraising opportunities, with context, potential partners, and next steps:
1. Youth Safety & Empowerment Program
Focus Area: Supporting Education & Protecting Youth
Context:
Recent local news highlights a distressing incident involving a teen who was victimized and endangered, underscoring community concerns about child abuse, online exploitation, and peer violence. Additionally, a 6-month-old baby died of child abuse in the area, indicating a pressing and ongoing need for youth safety initiatives throughout Lake County.
Potential Partners: - Local schools and school districts (Gurnee, Waukegan, Grayslake) - Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center - Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office - Local police departments - Social service agencies (e.g., Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, NICASA) - Child & teen mental health professionals
Next Steps: - Convene a planning meeting with potential partners to discuss prevalent local safety issues and best approaches to youth education. - Secure small grants or sponsorships for materials and program facilitators. - Develop or expand a safety and empowerment educational series for upper-elementary to high school students, focusing on recognizing abuse, online safety, reporting mechanisms, and self-advocacy. - Offer parent/guardian workshops in parallel, focusing on digital literacy and talking to children about safety. - Work with schools to schedule sessions by Fall 2024; publicize through local news outlets and school communication channels.
2. “Healthier Futures” Community Cancer Prevention & Wellness Campaign
Focus Area: Disease Prevention & Community Health
Context:
A recent report notes rising rates of some cancers in younger adults in Illinois, raising the alarm about local health risks and the need for early intervention. Additionally, there have been community spotlights on individuals fighting cancer (e.g., Lindenhurst breast cancer patient honored) and an uptick in food pantry visits—which overlap with health disparities and nutritional need.
Potential Partners: - UnitedHealthcare of Illinois (contact: Dr. Abbie Miller, CMO) - Lake County Health Department - Local hospitals and clinics (Advocate Condell, Vista Health, etc.) - Cancer support organizations (e.g., American Cancer Society local chapter, Gilda’s Club) - Food banks and pantries - Area high schools and community colleges for educational outreach
Next Steps: - Contact UnitedHealthcare and local hospitals to convene a planning committee dedicated to prevention and early cancer detection in youth and young adults. - Plan a fall health fair or series of pop-up wellness days in Gurnee, Waukegan, Grayslake, and nearby towns, offering: - Free or low-cost screenings for cancer risk factors - Nutrition education and resources (collaborate with local food pantries) - Information on lifestyle risk factors, HPV vaccination, and mental health support - Develop an awareness campaign leveraging local news, school, and library partnerships to reach families and young adults. - Seek A/V and venue support from schools, park districts, and libraries. - Fundraise for screening costs, health kits, and campaign materials through Rotary’s existing donor network and local business sponsors.
These opportunities directly address timely community needs and leverage Rotary’s strengths and established networks to make an immediate, visible difference.
1. “Harvest Fest Food Drive and Healthy Families Initiative” (Community Health and Basic Needs)
Context:
Lake County continues to face food insecurity, with many families relying on local food pantries. The October 18 Harvest Fest at Hawthorn Row in Vernon Hills and the October 25-26 HUGE, FREE Lake County Home Show in Grayslake offer excellent opportunities to reach a broad cross-section of community members. Rotary’s focus on community health and disease prevention can align with nutrition and healthy families programming.
Potential Partners: - Vernon Hills Park District and Hawthorn Row businesses (for event space and logistics) - Avon Township Food Pantry, Northern Illinois Food Bank (for food distribution) - Advocate Condell Medical Center or Lake County Health Department (for nutrition education) - Local Scouts, Key Clubs, or Interact Clubs (for youth volunteers)
Next Steps: - Reach out to Hawthorn Row and Lake County Fairgrounds/Home Show organizers to secure booth or partnership presence. - Coordinate with food banks to identify most-needed, healthy items (canned proteins, whole grains, baby food, fresh produce if possible). - Organize volunteer shifts, including Rotary members and youth volunteers, for collection and sorting. - Arrange for a mobile health educator (from local hospital or health department) to offer quick nutrition tips, blood pressure checks, or “healthy snacks for kids” handouts. - Promote the drive through partner organizations and local media. - Deliver collected goods the following week; share impact report with the community.
2. “Youth Arts in Action: Mural & Collage Workshops” (Education, Youth Development, Peacebuilding)
Context:
Several creative, youth-focused events are on the calendar—including the October 12 Canvas Mural Collaboration at Beer Bazaar in Grayslake and the Day of the Dead Collage Workshop at Grayslake North High School on October 23. These arts programs help foster youth engagement, self-expression, cultural understanding, and community pride, all of which align with Rotary’s education and peacebuilding areas.
Potential Partners: - Grayslake Arts Alliance (Sinéad Carus, GAA Featured Artist) - Grayslake North High School art faculty - Local arts supply stores (for material donations) - Lake County juvenile services or Boys & Girls Club (to offer inclusive access for underserved youth)
Next Steps: - Contact Sinéad Carus or GAA and Grayslake North High School art teachers to offer Rotary sponsorship for material costs, refreshments, or scholarships for underserved participants. - Arrange for Rotary volunteers to assist with event facilitation and share about Rotary’s youth programs (e.g., scholarships, Interact, RYLA). - Help promote the events and invite participation from youth service organizations (e.g., Scouts, Boys & Girls Club). - Consider a fundraising component: auctioning youth-created artworks at a community event, with proceeds supporting arts programming or mental health services for youth. - Share stories and photos with local media and Rotary networks to highlight youth voices and Rotary’s commitment to education and peacebuilding.
Here are two Rotary service or fundraising project opportunities for the Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL areas, based on current events and community needs:
1. Project: Building Inclusive Community Support for People with Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities
Context:
A recent news item highlights the Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board’s efforts to raise awareness of supportive services for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. This is a timely need as agencies seek greater community integration and access for people with disabilities.
Potential Partners:
- Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board (lead partner)
- Local advocacy groups (e.g., Northeast Illinois Special Recreation Association)
- Special education departments in local school districts (Waukegan, Gurnee, Lake Forest)
- Local businesses for job/skill training
- Other civic and community organizations
Next Steps:
- Reach out to Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board to coordinate a meeting and identify top service/support gaps.
- Organize a Disabilities Awareness and Resource Fair, bringing together local agencies, families, and the Rotary Club to share resources, volunteer opportunities, and raise funds for supportive programs (e.g., adaptive sports equipment, summer camp scholarships, accessible transportation).
- Invite businesses (including featured Patch sponsor Waukegan Tire) to sponsor or participate, possibly hosting job-readiness workshops or internships for youth and adults with disabilities.
- Consider establishing an annual fundraising event, with proceeds supporting existing local services or launching new pilot programs (education, recreational, or vocational).
2. Project: Advancing Youth Education and Leadership—Support for School Enrichment and Debate Programs
Context:
Recent reports show Woodlands Academy’s Congressional Debate Team excelled in competition, and Woodlands Academy (Lake Forest) received a National Blue Ribbon School Award. Meanwhile, many local schools lack resources to provide advanced academic enrichment, extracurricular programs, or competitive academic teams. There is growing interest in supporting youth leadership, public speaking, and academic excellence throughout the region.
Potential Partners:
- Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
- Local high and middle schools in Waukegan, Gurnee, Lake County
- Waukegan To College (community-based educational nonprofit)
- Local libraries and youth organizations
Next Steps:
- Convene a meeting with debate team advisors, school administrators, and local nonprofits (such as Waukegan To College, who is hosting the “1000 Dreams Gala”) to assess needs and opportunities for broadening access to debate/public speaking programs, especially in under-resourced schools.
- Develop a mentorship program pairing successful debate students and educators from Woodlands Academy with students at Waukegan and Gurnee schools.
- Organize Rotary-sponsored youth leadership and debate workshops or competitions, potentially as a signature annual event and fundraiser. Proceeds could be directed to fund travel, materials, or scholarships for underserved students.
- Seek sponsorship from local businesses and other service organizations to expand the reach and impact.
Both opportunities support Rotary’s areas of focus: “supporting education,” “growing local economies,” and “supporting the disabled and marginalized.” These projects respond directly to current community efforts and news, and can leverage both Rotary’s leadership and network-building strengths.
Based on the current news from Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL, as well as Rotary’s areas of focus, here are two recommended service or fundraising opportunities:
1. Community Health & Safety Initiative: Family Violence Prevention and Support
Context:
Recent news highlights a tragic incident in Gurnee where a son assaulted his mother with a metal pipe and a heartbreaking child abuse case in the county resulting in the death of a 6-month-old. These stories underscore urgent needs related to domestic violence, child safety, and family mental health in the Lake County area.
Potential Partners:
- A Safe Place (Waukegan-based organization providing support for domestic violence survivors)
- Lake County Health Department - Behavioral Health Services
- Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital (Community outreach programs)
- Local law enforcement community relations officers
Next Steps:
1. Contact A Safe Place and the Lake County Health Department to identify their most pressing needs—could range from immediate supplies for survivors, funding for safe housing, to community education workshops.
2. Organize a community forum or panel (possibly hosted at a local library or park district facility) focusing on domestic violence prevention, signs of abuse, and resources available. Invite mental health professionals and survivor advocates.
3. Plan a fundraising event (e.g., a walk/run, benefit dinner, or silent auction) with proceeds directed toward emergency shelter, legal support, and counseling services for families in crisis.
4. Launch an awareness campaign in conjunction with local police and schools, distributing informational materials and providing workshops for youth and parents.
2. Youth Education & Road Safety Awareness Campaign
Context:
There have been recent local cases of severe vehicle-related injuries, including a motorcyclist in Libertyville suffering life-threatening injuries and a fatal hit-and-run that killed a pregnant mother in Waukegan. These incidents reveal a community need for improved road safety, particularly involving youth and young adults as drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Division of Transportation
- Illinois State Police – District 2
- Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) chapters at local high schools (including Warren Township High School in Gurnee and Waukegan High School)
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Chicagoland Chapter
- Local driving schools
Next Steps:
1. Engage with the Lake County Division of Transportation and local SADD chapters to co-develop a road safety awareness week, including assemblies and hands-on workshops at area schools.
2. Partner with police and MADD to offer interactive simulated driving activities (e.g., distracted driving simulators, seatbelt convincers) at school and community fairs.
3. Apply for Rotary District and community grants to purchase educational materials or bike helmets for youth, and distribute these at community events.
4. Launch a social media campaign featuring testimonies, safety tips, and contests for students to showcase safe driving pledges.
Both projects respond to immediate local needs and align directly with Rotary’s focus areas, especially promoting peace, supporting education, ensuring community health, and saving lives.