1. Environmental Restoration & Open Space Stewardship Initiative
Context:
Jessica Vealitzek's recent column, “Nature: A smart investment” (November 16, 2025), highlights the value of acquiring and maintaining healthy open space for recreation and community well-being in Lake County. Gurnee and Waukegan benefit from local preserves and rivers, but continued stewardship is needed to maintain trails, remove invasive species, and expand access, especially for young people and underserved communities.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Forest Preserves District
- Gurnee Park District
- Waukegan Park District
- Local youth organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Club of Lake County, area high schools’ environmental clubs)
- Wild Ones Lake County Chapter (native plant advocates)
- Alliance for the Great Lakes
Next Steps:
- Convene a meeting with Lake County Forest Preserves and local park districts to identify urgent restoration or stewardship needs.
- Organize a spring or summer “Rotary Day of Service” for trail cleanup, invasive species removal, and tree planting.
- Engage youth groups for a mentorship and education component, connecting students to nature and environmental careers.
- Seek small grants or in-kind donations (tools, snacks, educational materials) from local businesses.
- Publicize the effort in local media to encourage broader community participation and attract future sponsors.
2. Youth Civic Engagement & Leadership Program
Context:
Given local and national concern about public trust, leadership, and civic knowledge—underscored by coverage of political confidence and government accountability—Lake County youth can benefit from educational programs in civic engagement and leadership. Rotary’s focus on education and youth aligns with providing opportunities for high school students in Gurnee, Waukegan, and beyond to learn about government, public service, and ways to get involved.
Potential Partners:
- Local high schools (Warren Township, Waukegan High School)
- College of Lake County (civic education programs)
- Lake County Clerk’s Office (elections, civic outreach)
- YWCA of Lake County (youth leadership)
- League of Women Voters Lake County
Next Steps:
- Design a pilot program or after-school initiative pairing Rotary mentors with high school students.
- Incorporate workshops on leadership, volunteering, journalism, public speaking, and understanding local government functions.
- Host events such as mock elections, town-hall simulations, and service-learning projects.
- Leverage Rotary contacts to provide scholarships or recognition for outstanding participants.
- Evaluate program impact for expansion and deeper partnership with school districts or local agencies.
Based on the recent news highlights from the Lake County News-Sun and the current climate in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, the following two Rotary projects are recommended. They align with Rotary’s focus areas of supporting education/youth and promoting community health and wellness:
1. “Sports for All: Youth Access Initiative”
Context:
There is strong interest in youth athletics in Lake County, evidenced by the recent coverage of local football and girls’ basketball teams, spotlights on standout athletes like Ryan Hasemeyer and Lily Fisher, and the collective school spirit these activities foster. However, many low-income families in Waukegan and surrounding areas face financial barriers to participation (league fees, equipment costs, transportation).
Potential Partners:
- Local schools (e.g., Waukegan High School, Libertyville High School)
- Park districts and youth athletic leagues
- Local businesses (Dick’s Sporting Goods, local gyms)
- Community organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake County
Next Steps:
a. Convene a listening session with local coaches, athletic directors, and city youth services to identify the most pressing needs (e.g., equipment drive, scholarship funds, transportation support).
b. Launch a fundraising campaign (e.g., “Sponsor a Player” event) and/or a community sports equipment drive, leveraging Rotary channels and engaging local businesses for matches or donations.
c. Coordinate with the schools and park districts to distribute resources equitably, ensuring publicity for both needs and Rotary’s efforts, possibly culminating in a community “Sports Day” celebration.
2. “Community Health Day: Access & Awareness Event”
Context:
The recent departure of immigration agents from the North Chicago naval station suggests a shift in local stressors for immigrant communities, who often face health access barriers (as noted in regional reporting on health disparities). Also, healthcare and hospital rankings remain a high-interest issue for residents. Ensuring equitable community health is recognized by Rotary and remains an ongoing need, especially among underserved or minority populations in Waukegan and Gurnee.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department
- Waukegan and Gurnee city officials
- NorthShore University HealthSystem, Advocate Aurora Health
- Latino and other immigrant-focused community organizations
- Local pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS)
Next Steps:
a. Organize a planning meeting with key healthcare partners, nonprofits, and local government to select an accessible venue and determine priority health services (e.g., free screenings, vaccinations, mental health counseling).
b. Source volunteer healthcare professionals, translators, and promote the event in English and Spanish throughout area schools, churches, and community centers.
c. Implement the event, capture data on community needs, and use this as a springboard for Rotary’s ongoing advocacy or a recurring series, linking residents to longer-term care and wellness resources.
These projects directly address immediate and visible needs in the Lake County area, offer authentic partnership opportunities, and advance Rotary’s mission through practical, high-visibility service.
1. Lake County Youth Literacy & Spelling Excellence Initiative
Rotary Focus Area: Education, Youth Development
Context:
The recent success of Visharad Sathish, a Lake Forest Country Day School seventh-grader, in the Lake County Regional Spelling Bee shows strong student commitment to academic achievement but also highlights the need for supportive structures like study resources, reading materials, and academic coaching. Over seventy schools and hundreds of students participated, indicating widespread youth interest but also likely gaps in access to resources for lower-income or struggling schools in the area. Rotary could make a lasting impact by supporting literacy, spelling, and language arts engagement.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Regional Office of Education (Michael Karner, Superintendent; Courtney Curry, Assistant Superintendent)
- Local schools, especially John Lewis Middle School (Ashley Whitaker, Dual Language Specialist)
- Libraries (Waukegan Public Library, Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee)
- Area parent-teacher organizations or education-focused nonprofits (such as Reading Power, Inc.)
Next Steps:
- Convene a meeting with the Regional Office of Education and school representatives to identify greatest areas of need (books, scholarship funds for spelling camps, resources for English-language learners).
- Organize a Rotary-sponsored annual “Literacy Day” with workshops, spelling mini-competitions, reading circles, and book giveaways.
- Fundraise for materials—dictionaries, study guides, digital subscriptions—especially for under-resourced schools and students wishing to participate in spelling bees or other literacy events.
- Offer a Rotary Youth Literacy Grant that teachers or schools can apply to, with a focus on inclusion of students who may lack parental support, English-language proficiency, or home access to quality materials.
2. Waukegan-Gurnee Green Spaces Clean-Up and Pollinator Pathways Project
Rotary Focus Area: Environment, Community Development, Youth Engagement
Context:
Though not highlighted directly in the spelling bee news, Lake County—including communities like Gurnee and Waukegan—continues to face environmental stewardship challenges, from maintaining clean public spaces to supporting biodiversity in local parks. Green initiatives are timely and align with Rotary’s commitment to sustainability. This project could mobilize youth inspired by academic achievement (as demonstrated by spellers like Visharad) to become community leaders and stewards of their local environment.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Park District, Gurnee Park District
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- Local school environmental/clubs (possible engagement with spelling bee participants for cross-over leadership development)
- Local businesses for sponsorship & supplies
- Illinois Extension Office
- Environmental groups like Citizens’ Greener Evanston or Alliance for the Great Lakes (for resources or expertise)
Next Steps:
- Meet with park districts and forest preserve representatives to identify high-need clean-up areas and sites for pollinator gardens.
- Designate a spring or early summer “Rotary Green Day” for youth and community volunteers, including educational components on pollinators, native plants, and conservation.
- Partner with schools and youth groups—inviting spelling bee participants as youth ambassadors—to highlight STEM learning around ecology and environmental protection.
- Seek local sponsorship or in-kind donations (plants, tools, supplies) from area businesses; consider a fundraiser (5K run, plant sale, or online giving event) to support garden installation, signage, and ongoing youth environmental engagement.
- Publicize and celebrate the project with recognition of youth leaders and involved schools, creating a virtuous cycle between youth achievement in the classroom and in community leadership.
1. Addressing Food Insecurity: Community Food Pantry Support and Mobile Pantry Project
Context:
Recent news highlights a sharp spike in visits to Chicago-area food pantries, which includes Lake County communities such as Gurnee, Waukegan, and Grayslake. Food insecurity continues to be a pressing local concern, especially as winter approaches, putting additional strain on families, seniors, and vulnerable populations throughout Lake County.
Potential Partners:
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- COOL Ministries Food Pantry (Waukegan)
- Avon Township Food Pantry (Round Lake Park, serving greater Lake County)
- Local business sponsors (grocery stores like Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, Meijer in Gurnee/Waukegan)
- Gurnee and Waukegan Park Districts (for event locations and logistics)
- Schools with Interact or service clubs
Next Steps:
- Convene a meeting with Rotary board members and local food pantry leads to gauge most urgent supply needs and outreach gaps (e.g., mobile pantries, culturally specific foods, winter supplies).
- Organize a community food drive, with drop-off points at partner businesses, schools, and municipal locations.
- Explore funding or grants for a mobile food pantry vehicle or to supplement emergency food supplies.
- Involve youth and Interact clubs in sorting, packing, and distributing donations.
- Publicize the drive through Patch, Park District bulletins, and local media to maximize community engagement.
- Host a “Stuff the Bus” or “Mobile Pantry Day” event to raise awareness and collect additional support.
Rotary Areas of Focus: Community health, basic needs, and support for the vulnerable.
2. Youth Mental Health Initiative: Building Resilience & Prevention Workshops
Context:
Recent incidents in Grayslake and broader Lake County—such as the arrest of a teen after a violent altercation with a police officer—underscore the increasing concerns about youth mental health, stress, and lack of positive outlets. Community needs include better prevention, resilience training, mentoring, and improved access to mental health resources for teens and their families.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department, Behavioral Health Services
- Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (ZCenter) for trauma-informed support
- School districts (District 121/Waukegan, District 56/Gurnee, District 46/Grayslake)
- Youth organizations (Boys & Girls Club of Lake County, Beacon Place in Waukegan)
- Community mental health professionals
- Local law enforcement/community resource officers for a restorative justice approach
Next Steps:
- Engage with local schools and health department officials to identify priority topics (e.g., coping with anxiety/depression, conflict resolution, substance abuse prevention).
- Develop a series of evening or weekend workshops for youth and parents, facilitated by trusted mental health providers and peer mentors—ideally hosted at schools or park district centers.
- Secure Rotary Club funding and sponsorships for materials, speaker fees, and healthy refreshments.
- Recruit Rotary volunteers (and youth leaders from Interact) to support logistics, promotion, and mentoring activities.
- Launch a communications campaign in partnership with community partners to ensure high signup and sustained engagement.
- Consider expanding with ongoing peer support groups or Champions for Change leadership programs for at-risk teens.
Rotary Areas of Focus: Youth support, education, disease prevention, and promoting peace.
1. Community Health: Mobile DMV + Senior Services & Health Resource Fair
Context:
The Mobile DMV is scheduled for December 12 at the Libertyville Senior Center. Transportation and access to essential services remain critical needs for seniors and those with disabilities in Lake County and surrounding communities (including Gurnee and Waukegan). The DMV event attracts older adults seeking ID renewals or other vital services—making it an ideal opportunity to offer additional community health and support resources.
Potential Partners:
- Libertyville Senior Center
- Lake County Health Department
- Local hospitals (Advocate Condell, Vista Health System)
- Agencies on Aging (Catholic Charities, AgeGuide)
- Lake County transportation services
Next Steps:
- Contact Libertyville Senior Center to co-sponsor or expand the Mobile DMV day, adding a “Senior Resource & Wellness Fair” component adjacent to DMV services.
- Invite Lake County Health Department to provide free flu shots, health screenings, and information on local health resources.
- Connect with agencies to staff tables with information about aging-in-place, legal rights, transportation, and nutrition.
- Organize Rotarians as event volunteers and to provide transportation for seniors with limited mobility.
- Publicize the expanded event through Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County Rotary networks and local media.
2. Education & Youth: Scholarship Fundraiser & Mentoring with “Open Doors to Education”
Context:
The “Kim Muno Scholarship Goal” event on November 30 at Libertyville High School, presented by Open Doors to Education, points to ongoing community needs: removing barriers for local students seeking higher education, especially those from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. Grayslake, Waukegan, and Gurnee school districts all serve students who could benefit from enhanced scholarship access and youth mentoring.
Potential Partners:
- Open Doors to Education (primary local nonprofit)
- Libertyville High School and other district schools
- Local businesses (for event sponsorship and promotion)
- College of Lake County (outreach and resources on college readiness)
Next Steps:
- Meet with Open Doors to Education to explore collaboration on an annual Rotary-sponsored scholarship fundraiser dinner, raffle, or walk/run in early 2025.
- Invite successful college-bound students and alumni to share stories, inspiring current students at Waukegan, Gurnee, and Grayslake schools.
- Pair scholarships with a mentorship program, matching Rotarians with high school seniors for guidance on college/career exploration, essay writing, and financial aid navigation.
- Seek contributions (monetary and in-kind) from local businesses; offer public recognition and partnership highlights.
- Coordinate publicity with local news outlets and schools to maximize impact and reach.
Certainly! Based on the recent news and ongoing community needs in the Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL area, here are two highly relevant Rotary service or fundraising opportunities aligned with Rotary’s focus areas and rooted in current events and local news:
1. Service Project: Senior Support & Connection Drive
Aligned with Rotary Focus: Community Health, Supporting the Elderly
Context:
Lake County Partners in Aging (recently highlighted as a Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board grant recipient) serves older adults and caregivers, emphasizing independence, dignity, and connection for seniors. Isolation and mental health for seniors continue to be urgent issues, heightened during holidays and winter months.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Partners in Aging
- Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board
- Rotary Clubs in Gurnee, Waukegan, Lake Forest/Lake Bluff
- Local caregivers’ associations
- Area high schools (for youth volunteer involvement)
Next Steps:
- Reach out to Lake County Partners in Aging and Vernon Township Board to coordinate needs (e.g., collecting/delivering care packages, tech help for virtual connection, transportation for appointments/social events).
- Organize a volunteer sign-up (including Rotary youth groups/Interactors) for friendly phone calls, in-person visits, and care package assembly/delivery.
- Seek in-kind or monetary donations for care items (blankets, hygiene products, puzzles, technology for virtual calls, etc.).
- Host a winter fundraising event to support ongoing senior outreach and mental health programs.
- Publicize through Patch, local churches, and community centers to enlist broad community support.
2. Fundraiser: Lake County Toys for Tots & Holiday Cheer Expansion
Aligned with Rotary Focus: Supporting Children and Youth, Community Engagement
Context:
Toys for Tots is actively seeking donations in Lake Forest and throughout Lake County to spread holiday cheer to children. Given high local need and increasing economic pressures on families, amplifying this effort with additional fundraising, collection sites, and volunteer support is both timely and impactful.
Potential Partners:
- Local Toys for Tots coordinators (Lake County chapter)
- Local businesses (e.g., Waukegan Tire, The Episcopal Preschool) as drop-off/collection sponsors
- Public schools and youth organizations (to maximize toy collection and distribution)
- Community centers, religious groups, Patch for publicity
Next Steps:
- Contact Lake County Toys for Tots organizers to align Rotary efforts with their logistics and target needs (specific age groups, under-served zip codes).
- Enlist local businesses and Rotary members to serve as collection points and sponsors for matching donation drives.
- Organize a family holiday event (e.g., breakfast with Santa, holiday lights walk) with admission as toy donation or ticket sales benefiting toy purchase, hosted by Rotarians.
- Coordinate with schools and Interact Clubs to encourage student participation, creative fundraising, and awareness-building.
- Publicize campaign and event widely through Patch, school channels, and local media.
Certainly! Here are two Rotary project recommendations for Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL, based on current community needs and news:
1. “Safe Roads, Safe Communities” Youth Education and Awareness Campaign
Context:
Recent tragic events such as the fatal crash in Lake County involving Darren Lucas and potentially connected to a TikTok livestream highlight critical issues around road safety, distracted driving, and social media use among youth. With the ongoing investigation and public concern, there’s heightened community interest in prevention, education, and youth engagement around these topics.
Rotary Area of Focus:
- Community Health
- Youth
Potential Partners:
- Local police departments (Libertyville, Waukegan, Gurnee)
- Area high schools and middle schools
- Lake County Health Department
- Safe Communities America
- Local youth-serving nonprofits (e.g., Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake County)
Next Steps:
- Convene a meeting with school district officials and police representatives to outline program goals.
- Engage youth leaders to co-create relevant messaging around safe driving and responsible social media behavior.
- Design and schedule interactive workshops at local schools, ideally including real stories and speakers impacted by distracted driving.
- Develop and disseminate educational materials (digital and print), possibly in partnership with local influencers or students experienced in video production.
- Apply for a Rotary District Grant to fund campaign materials and speaker fees.
- Plan a local kickoff event, perhaps in January for National Teen Driving Awareness Month.
2. “Operation Winter Shelter” Emergency Assistance & Supply Drive
Context:
Early and unexpectedly heavy winter snow—recognized recently across Lake County—can particularly threaten vulnerable populations, including the homeless and elderly. Waukegan and Gurnee both have sizable populations in need during the winter, and severe weather is already impacting mobility and safety. Recent news also highlights ongoing missing persons cases, further emphasizing the importance of outreach to at-risk individuals.
Rotary Area of Focus:
- Community Health
- Disease Prevention and Treatment
- Basic Needs
Potential Partners:
- PADS Lake County (homeless support organization)
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- Local faith communities with warming centers (e.g., Village Church of Gurnee, Waukegan churches)
- Village and city governments (emergency response coordination)
- Local businesses for donation collection sites
Next Steps:
- Coordinate with PADS and local municipalities to assess the most urgent needs (blankets, coats, nonperishable food, hygiene kits, etc.).
- Establish donation drop-off points at Rotary partner sites, businesses, and community centers.
- Mobilize Rotary members and community volunteers for collection, sorting, and distribution efforts.
- Publicize the drive through local media, social channels, and newsletters.
- Organize “Winter Prep” informational sessions at shelters and senior centers, offering practical cold weather safety tips and resources.
- Seek donations or sponsorships from local businesses to match or expand supply drives.
Both project concepts leverage recent events, Rotary’s values, and strategic local partnerships to address urgent and ongoing community needs in Lake County.