Based on a review of recent news and drawing from ongoing needs in Lake County communities (Gurnee, Waukegan, and broader Lake County), here are two recommended Rotary service or fundraising opportunities that align with Rotary’s areas of focus:
1. Pet Wellness & Therapy Outreach for Seniors and Veterans
Context:
A recent story highlighted Jennifer Jordan and her organization, Wonder Mutt Wellness in Geneva, offering canine massage therapy and end-of-life care for pets. Pet companionship has proven benefits for mental health, especially among seniors, veterans, and those facing chronic illnesses or isolation—a growing issue in Lake County. Enhancing access to pet therapy services, bereavement support after pet loss, and animal wellness education could meet a community health and mental well-being need.
Potential Partners:
- Wonder Mutt Wellness (Jennifer Jordan)
- Senior centers in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County (e.g., Warren Township Senior Center)
- Veterans’ service organizations (e.g., Lake County Veterans and Family Services Foundation)
- Local animal shelters (e.g., Orphans of the Storm, Save-A-Pet)
- Area pet therapy training providers
Next Steps:
- Reach out to Jennifer Jordan for a presentation or discussion with the local Rotary club(s).
- Arrange meetings with senior center and veterans’ organization leadership to assess interest and needs.
- Design a pilot outreach program for therapy dog visits, pet loss support groups, or pet care education sessions.
- Seek funding through Rotary events or grant applications; invite community sponsorships.
- Promote the project via local press and Rotary channels to recruit volunteers and participants.
2. Civic Engagement & Youth Leadership Forums
Context:
Recent Editorial Board commentary addressed issues of political fairness, voting access, and the importance of democracy in the context of changing congressional maps. With youth voter participation historically low and public confidence in democratic institutions wavering, especially in diverse communities like Waukegan, there is a timely need to promote civic literacy, nonpartisan dialogue, and youth leadership. This aligns with Rotary’s focus on peacebuilding, supporting education, and community development.
Potential Partners:
- Local high schools (Waukegan High School, Warren Township High School)
- College of Lake County (youth and civic engagement offices)
- League of Women Voters of Lake County
- Lake County Clerk’s Office (elections and outreach)
- Youth organizations (Boys & Girls Club of Lake County)
- Nonpartisan national partners, e.g., Rotary’s Interact and Rotaract clubs
Next Steps:
- Connect with school administrators to propose Rotary-sponsored forums or workshops about civic engagement, voter registration, and civil discourse.
- Invite local officials and League of Women Voters representatives to participate as speakers or facilitators.
- Develop an outreach plan to recruit diverse youth voices; consider essay contests or leadership awards as incentives.
- Seek club member volunteers to mentor Interact/Rotaract clubs focused on service and civic action.
- Organize at least one community event before the next local election cycle; gather participant feedback for improvement and sustainability.
Both projects address real and timely community needs as reflected in recent news and Rotary’s mission: supporting community health (including mental wellbeing connected to pet ownership) and education/youth development in democracy.
1. Youth Protection & Digital Well-being Initiative (Waukegan and Lake County)
Context:
A recent, high-profile arrest of a Waukegan man—formerly a school custodian—on child pornography-related charges has raised significant concerns across families, schools, and the wider community. This is likely exacerbating anxiety among students, parents, and educators regarding youth safety, online dangers, and trust in school environments.
Rotary Area of Focus:
- Supporting Education
- Protecting Youth
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan School District 60
- Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Victim Services
- Local PTAs
- Blue Kids Lake County
- Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center
- Local police/school resource officers
Next Steps:
- Convene a roundtable with district leadership, parent associations, and law enforcement to assess current child protection and education gaps.
- Develop a Rotary-sponsored speaker series and workshop series for parents, educators, and students on digital safety, mandated reporting, healthy boundaries, and accessing support services.
- Sponsor the development or enhancement of “Safe School” educational materials and digital citizenship resources, including multi-lingual components.
- Plan a spring fundraiser—such as a “Run for Safe Kids” 5K or an online auction—with proceeds funding additional prevention training and support for at-risk youth identified by schools or social services.
2. Clean Energy & Job Skills Outreach: Solar Futures in Waukegan
Context:
Waukegan was recently featured in the news for its growing solar industry, which represents an opportunity for both environmental stewardship and workforce development in a community where economic disparities persist and recent job losses (e.g., Capital One/Discover layoffs at the former Discover headquarters) have heightened the need for new pathways.
Rotary Areas of Focus:
- Protecting the Environment
- Economic Development
- Supporting Education
Potential Partners:
- Midwest Renewable Energy Association
- Waukegan to College
- Lake County Workforce Development
- Local solar companies (such as those mentioned in recent news coverage)
- College of Lake County
- Waukegan Park District or community centers serving young adults
Next Steps:
- Coordinate with clean energy providers and job training organizations to develop a public workshop series: “Solar Careers in Lake County—Exploring Your Future.”
- Host a hands-on solar energy fair for youth and families, showcasing solar tech, environmental benefits, and how to pursue training in solar-related trades.
- Seek grant funds and sponsorships to cover the cost of hands-on educational kits for schools and stipends for youth to attend green jobs training workshops.
- Plan a Rotary fundraiser—for example, a “Green Gala” or “Power Up Pancake Breakfast”—to raise funds for local scholarships for students entering solar/clean energy programs at College of Lake County or other accredited institutions.
These initiatives align Rotary’s resources with urgent local needs around youth safety and future-ready skills, all within established areas of Rotary focus.
Here are two Rotary service or fundraising opportunities for the Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County area, based on the latest news and local needs, and aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus:
1. Youth & Education: Sponsorship and Support for Local Academic Excellence
Context:
Lake County’s Visharad Sathish, a 12-year-old, is advancing to the Scripps National Spelling Bee after winning an intense regional competition involving students from 73 schools. This highlights a strong culture of academic enthusiasm and the importance of nurturing talented youth in the area.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education
- Local public and private schools
- Spelling Bee organizers (Scripps, local education foundations)
- Gurnee and Waukegan public libraries
Possible Service Projects or Fundraisers:
- Sponsor Local Academic Champions: Launch a Rotary Academic Achievement Award providing funding or travel stipends for Lake County students who qualify for national academic competitions (spelling, STEM, debate, etc.).
- Youth Literacy & Public Speaking Workshops: Organize annual workshops for spelling bee participants, focusing on vocabulary, public speaking, and confidence-building.
- Community Academic Night: Host an event to celebrate all regional contestants, engaging families and spotlighting literacy.
Next Steps: 1. Reach out to the Lake County Regional Office of Education and congratulate Visharad Sathish, exploring needs for travel expenses, resources, or general academic support. 2. Meet with local school administrators and spelling bee coordinators to understand ongoing needs for academic enrichment. 3. Form a committee within your Rotary club to plan workshops, fundraising campaigns, and an annual recognition event. 4. Secure sponsors and partners, including local businesses with a stake in education or youth development.
2. Community Health & Child Protection: Digital Safety and Internet Awareness Campaign
Context:
Recent news reports highlight the arrest of a Waukegan man (a former high school janitor) for child pornography. This underscores serious concerns about digital safety and child protection throughout Lake County, especially with the prevalence of device use among children and teens.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office
- Waukegan Police Department or local school resource officers
- Lake County Children's Advocacy Center
- Local Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs)
- School districts in Gurnee, Waukegan, and broader Lake County
Possible Service Projects or Fundraisers:
- Internet Safety Workshops: Organize seminars for parents and students on recognizing online threats, digital citizenship, and reporting inappropriate content.
- "Safe Kids, Safe Tech" Resource Kits: Distribute printed and digital guides for parents, covering topics such as safe screen habits, privacy, and signs of online predation.
- Fundraiser for Counseling Resources: Raise funds to support organizations that provide counseling and crisis services for families impacted by digital crime or exploitation.
Next Steps: 1. Connect with local law enforcement’s community outreach divisions and the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center to develop a needs assessment. 2. Liaise with local schools and PTAs to schedule education sessions and distribute resources. 3. Develop a team of Rotary volunteers or partner experts willing to lead presentations and Q&A panels. 4. Plan a signature fundraising event (such as a "Run for Safety" 5K) to benefit child advocacy and digital safety education programs.
These projects address pressing and timely community needs, directly support local youth, bolster public education, and fit within Rotary’s core areas of focus.
1. Food Security Initiative: Support for Local Food Pantries
Context:
Recent news highlights that "Chicago-Area Food Pantries See Spike In Visits Over Past Year." This indicates a growing need among vulnerable families in Lake County, including Gurnee, Waukegan, and surrounding communities such as Grayslake. Food insecurity is closely aligned with Rotary's area of focus on community health and basic needs.
Potential Partners:
- Local food pantries, such as Northern Illinois Food Bank and COOL Ministries Food Pantry (Waukegan area)
- Local churches and civic organizations
- High school service clubs (e.g., Key Club, NHS)
Next Steps:
- Connect with leadership from Northern Illinois Food Bank and local pantries to assess the most urgent needs (food drives, volunteers, funding for specific staple items).
- Organize a Rotary-branded community food drive, leveraging club member networks, local businesses, and schools.
- Apply for a Rotary District Grant to help fund shelf-stable food purchases or essential items.
- Schedule a “Rotary Day of Service” where club members and community partners volunteer at multiple pantry locations (packing, distribution, or delivery).
- Publicize the effort through social media and local news outlets to garner support and recognize ongoing need.
2. Youth Mental Health & Wellness Awareness Campaign
Context:
Lake County has faced several recent tragedies involving youth, including a reported 19-year-old who went missing and later died following a critical motorcycle crash. Mental health challenges among young people—grief, anxiety, risk behaviors—remain a community concern, exacerbated by isolation and recent traumatic events. Rotary emphasizes disease prevention as well as supporting education and healthy lives for youth.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department’s Behavioral Health Services
- Lake County schools (Warren Township, Waukegan Community Unit, and others)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Lake County
- College of Lake County (mental health student orgs)
Next Steps:
- Collaborate with school counselors and local NAMI representatives to develop a needs-focused awareness campaign or speaker series for students and parents (topics may include coping skills, grief support, substance abuse prevention).
- Prepare grant application or seek donations for resource packets, peer support programs, and/or social media outreach materials.
- Facilitate a Youth Wellness Fair in partnership with local schools and mental health providers—offering screenings, educational resources, and promoting available community services.
- Train interested Rotary members (using NAMI’s “Ending the Silence” or similar programs) to serve as youth mental health ambassadors.
- Continue efforts beyond one-off events, creating sustainable support networks in partnership with area schools and health agencies.
Rotary Service and Fundraising Opportunities for Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL:
Context:
The “Neuro Universe Celebration & Resource Fair” scheduled for November 15 at Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills, underscores ongoing community interest in local access to health resources and neurodiversity support in Lake County. Health equity and resource navigation remain needs in Gurnee, Waukegan, and surrounding areas – especially for families seeking information about mental health, neurodivergence, and community services.
Potential Partners:
- Neuro Universe Celebration organizers
- Lake County Health Department
- Hawthorn Center management
- Local mental health resource groups (NAMI Lake County, Autism Society of Illinois)
- School districts (Waukegan and Gurnee)
Next Steps:
1. Reach out to Neuro Universe Celebration coordinators to explore Rotary sponsor or partner involvement (booths, funding, volunteers).
2. Organize Rotary-led breakout sessions or "ask the expert" panels focused on children's mental health, anxiety management, or community health navigation.
3. Provide grants or fundraising to underwrite transportation or materials so low-income families can attend and benefit.
4. Expand the fair’s scope in 2025 to Gurnee and Waukegan, coordinating with school social workers and municipal health offices.
Context:
The Grayslake Greenery Garden Club’s event, “Putting Your Garden to Bed,” and the continued popularity of farmers markets in Grayslake and Round Lake demonstrate widespread community interest in gardening, environmental education, and food security. There is also a broader Rotary area of focus on environmental sustainability.
Potential Partners:
- Grayslake Greenery Garden Club
- Grayslake/Round Lake Farmers Market organizers
- Local schools’ environmental clubs (Gurnee District 56, Waukegan Public Schools)
- University of Illinois Extension (Lake County Master Gardeners)
Next Steps:
1. Collaborate with the Garden Club and area farmers markets to create a “Rotary Roots” educational series offered next spring/fall, teaching families about sustainable gardening, composting, and healthy eating.
2. Fund and distribute free “starter kits” for family gardens to low-income families in Waukegan and Gurnee, possibly through school and library partnerships.
3. Organize volunteer “Rotary Green Teams” to help transform vacant lots or community spaces in Waukegan into teaching gardens or pollinator habitats.
4. Seek grant funding or business sponsorships from local nurseries, landscape businesses, and garden centers to support future workshops and supply needs.
Both opportunities align closely with Rotary’s areas of focus by advancing public health, supporting neurodiversity, fostering environmental education, and involving youth and families throughout the community.
1. Rotary Mental Health & Substance Abuse Prevention Initiative (Aligned with Community Health & Supporting the Fight Against Substance Abuse)
Context:
Recent police blotter news reports an incident involving a man with meth in Lake County. This underscores ongoing concerns about substance abuse and related criminal behavior in Waukegan, Gurnee, and the broader Lake County region. Addiction continues to disrupt families and community safety, especially with the spread of methamphetamines and opioids.
Potential Partners: - Lake County Health Department (Behavioral Health Services) - Gateway Foundation Waukegan - NAMI Lake County - Local police departments (e.g., Lake Forest, Waukegan, Gurnee PDs) - Schools (for youth outreach)
Next Steps: - Convene a planning meeting with representatives from health, youth, and law enforcement sectors. - Develop and promote community education forums about substance abuse prevention, mental health awareness, and available treatment resources. - Organize a fundraising event (e.g., a community walk, speaker panel, benefit dinner) to support local treatment and recovery organizations. Funds could help provide educational materials, sponsor counseling scholarships, or assist outreach programs in local high schools. - Engage Rotary volunteers in distributing resource information at community events.
2. Youth Education Equity Initiative in Partnership with Woodlands Academy and Local Schools (Aligned with Education and Youth Development)
Context:
Woodlands Academy in Lake Forest was recently honored for state and national Blue Ribbon excellence and is actively engaging the community through open house events. This highlights both educational achievement and potential gaps in equity and opportunity, especially for underserved students in neighboring communities like Waukegan.
Potential Partners: - Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart - Waukegan Public Schools - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago – Lake County - Lake County Community Foundation
Next Steps: - Propose a joint mentorship or tutoring program leveraging the strengths of Woodlands Academy students/faculty to assist youth in Waukegan and Gurnee who may lack academic support. - Organize a supply drive or fundraising campaign to provide materials, technology, or scholarships for local students in need. - Facilitate workshops or career/college readiness seminars for middle and high school students in partnership with educational institutions and business leaders. - Recruit Rotary volunteers to participate as mentors, guest speakers, or resource providers for ongoing youth development programming.
1. Community Mental Health & Violence Prevention Initiative
Context:
Recent tragic events, such as the fatal shooting at the Great Lakes Naval Station housing complex resulting in the deaths of John Taylor and Olivia Lacey, and increased violence-related incidents reported (e.g., the man with meth charged with battery and assault in Lake County), highlight concerning levels of trauma and mental health needs in the Gurnee, Waukegan, and broader Lake County community.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department Behavioral Health Services
- Local law enforcement and first responders
- Schools and youth organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Club of Lake County)
- Be Well Lake County (existing mental health initiative)
Recommended Rotary Project:
Organize a community forum and resource fair focused on violence prevention, trauma awareness, and mental health services. The Rotary Club can provide funding for mental health first aid training for local educators, parents, and community leaders. Proceeds from a fundraising event could be dedicated to scholarships for youth counseling or support for families affected by violence.
Next Steps:
- Reach out to Lake County Health Department and local police to assess urgent needs and coordinate a joint forum.
- Develop promotional materials and secure speakers (police, counselors, survivors).
- Set a date and secure a venue (e.g., local library, school, or park district facility).
- Launch a fundraising campaign (virtual or an in-person gala) to support direct services.
- Follow up with measurable results (number trained, funds raised, people connected to services).
2. Emergency Preparedness & Warming Supplies Drive
Context:
With the recent Freeze Warning issued for the Chicago area, as well as recurring harsh winters in Lake County, vulnerable populations—especially the unsheltered, seniors, and low-income families—face heightened risk from cold weather. There is a clear seasonal need for emergency warming supplies and education on winter preparedness.
Potential Partners:
- PADS Lake County (homeless shelter services)
- Catholic Charities Lake County Services
- Local senior centers and food pantries (e.g., COOL Ministries Food Pantry)
- Gurnee and Waukegan Fire Departments (for preparedness education)
Recommended Rotary Project:
Coordinate a warming supplies drive and emergency preparedness workshop. Collect and distribute blankets, coats, hats, gloves, and hand warmers. Present sessions on home weatherization and cold weather health for at-risk residents. This aligns with Rotary’s focus on community health and disaster response.
Next Steps:
- Contact PADS and local agencies to determine specific needs (item types and quantities).
- Set collection points at local churches, businesses, and schools.
- Recruit Rotary and youth volunteers for sorting and distribution.
- Work with fire departments to schedule preparedness presentations.
- Deliver supplies and track impact (number of items collected/distributed, workshop attendance).
By addressing both the urgent need for mental health/violence prevention resources and the recurring hazard of cold weather, the Rotary Club will make a meaningful, immediate impact that aligns with its core areas of focus.