Based on your request and a review of recent news and community themes relevant to Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL, here are two Rotary service or fundraising project ideas, each aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus and rooted in the context of current events and area needs:
Project 1: “Senior Resilience — Property Tax Navigation and Homeowner Support”
Areas of Focus: Community Economic Development; Supporting the Elderly
Context:
A notable issue mentioned in recent news is the rollout of 2025 property tax reassessment notices, causing “sticker shock” and financial anxiety for many local homeowners, especially seniors on fixed incomes. Property tax increases can threaten housing stability for older residents and those with limited means. Many may not know about available programs for relief, such as exemptions or deferred payment plans.
Potential Partners:
- Local municipalities (e.g., Gurnee, Waukegan Township offices)
- Lake County Senior Services and Property Tax Assessors’ Office
- Nonprofits such as Catholic Charities, AARP Illinois
- Local real estate and tax professionals (volunteer advisors)
Next Steps:
1. Form a Rotary task force to develop educational materials and workshops addressing property tax reassessments, relief options, and budgeting for seniors and low-income homeowners.
2. Partner with municipal offices and libraries to host “Property Tax Navigation Nights,” offering personal assistance filling out exemption and relief paperwork.
3. Organize a fundraising drive to support a “tax relief micro-grant” fund for elderly residents who are ineligible for official relief but need one-time emergency help.
4. Develop a volunteer corps (including Rotarians and high school Interact Club members) to provide follow-up support by phone or home visits (as appropriate).
Project 2: “WWII Nurses & Veterans Honor Initiative”
Areas of Focus: Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution; Supporting Education and Historical Awareness; Disease Prevention and Health (through connection to veterans)
Context:
There is strong, local support for honoring WWII nurses. The news highlights advocacy for the WWII Nurses Congressional Gold Medal Act, sponsored by Sen. Tammy Baldwin. This moment offers a chance for local engagement, education, and recognition of surviving veterans and families, connecting multi-generational community members and raising awareness of service and sacrifice.
Potential Partners:
- Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (North Chicago)
- Lake County Veterans’ Assistance Commission
- Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), American Legion posts
- Waukegan School District history teachers
- Local nursing programs (e.g., College of Lake County Nursing Department)
Next Steps:
1. Host a community recognition event with Lake County veterans’ groups, inviting surviving WWII nurses, their families, and all local veterans to be publicly honored.
2. Collaborate with nursing schools to run educational outreach, including history displays or talks on WWII nurses, at schools and libraries.
3. Raise funds via Rotary-sponsored brunch/banquet or a “Living History” storytelling night, with proceeds supporting veterans’ health services at Lovell FHCC.
4. Engage youth: Invite Interact and Rotaract members to conduct oral history interviews with veterans and nurses, preserving their stories for Lake County archives.
Both projects exemplify the Rotary ethos of service above self, with strong community ties and partnership opportunities. Each addresses a pressing need or moment in time—providing stability and support for senior homeowners facing immediate stress and ensuring that service and sacrifice are not forgotten in our collective memory.
Context:
A recent article highlighted ongoing efforts in Waukegan to provide winter clothing for seniors, led by Waukegan Township Supervisor Marc Jones. Despite over a decade of programming, the persistent need for warm items such as gloves, hats, and scarfs was emphasized—not only to "warm their hands and ears, but also their hearts." With winter storms causing up to 10 inches of snow in the region and temperatures dropping, many seniors remain especially vulnerable.
Potential Partners:
- Waukegan Township (Supervisor Marc Jones)
- Local senior centers and assisted living communities
- Local businesses (sporting goods, clothing shops)
- Lake County Council for Seniors
- Faith-based organizations
Next Steps:
- Contact Waukegan Township (Supervisor Marc Jones) to discuss how Rotary can supplement or expand their drive, ensuring efficient distribution.
- Organize club and community collection points at popular locations such as libraries, churches, and businesses in Gurnee and Waukegan for winter gear (new or gently used).
- Secure partnerships/sponsorships from local businesses for bulk purchases or donation of new items.
- Plan a volunteer day for assembling and delivering care packages directly to senior residences.
Context:
The recent heavy snow and rescheduling of major IHSA state football championships as well as highlights on local sports (volleyball, football) underscore the centrality of athletics in Lake County youth life—and how disruptions may affect access, especially for families with fewer resources. Playoffs and major events moving cities or dates can mean added costs, missed opportunities, or logistical hurdles for youth participants and their families.
Potential Partners:
- Local high schools (e.g., Libertyville, Stevenson, Waukegan, Gurnee)
- Youth sports organizations
- Park districts
- Local businesses and major employers
- Parent-teacher associations
Next Steps:
- Reach out to local high school athletic directors and the IHSA to identify specific needs (e.g., travel funding, uniforms, equipment, scholarships for fees) affected by weather disruptions or tournament rescheduling.
- Launch a Rotary-led “Sports for All” Fundraiser (e.g., community basketball or volleyball tournament, winter fun run, or an online giving campaign) to support at-risk and low-income student athletes.
- Publicize the fundraiser in partnership with local media and school newsletters, soliciting both monetary donations and donated equipment.
- Establish an application and distribution process for student-athletes in need, working with school counselors and coaches to ensure equitable allocation.
Both projects deeply align with Rotary’s focus on community health, education, and youth development, responding directly to current events and needs identified in Lake County’s news and community discussions.
1. Youth Academic Excellence & Literacy Initiative (Spelling Bee Support and Expansion)
Context:
A seventh-grade student from Lake County, Visharad Sathish, recently won a marathon spelling bee and will represent the region at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. Hundreds of students across 73 Lake County schools participated in the regional contest. This highlights a strong local interest in literacy, vocabulary skills, and youth academic achievement.
Potential Partners: - Lake County Regional Office of Education - Local school districts (Gurnee, Waukegan, etc.) - Public libraries in Lake County - Scripps National Spelling Bee organizational representatives
Next Steps: - Scholarship & Sponsorship: Create a Rotary-funded scholarship or travel fund for students who qualify for national academic competitions (like spelling bees, math olympiads, STEM fairs) to cover fees, travel, and accommodations. - Outreach and Mentorship: Organize Rotary volunteers to mentor elementary and middle school students in language arts, with workshops, study guides, and public speaking activities at partner schools and libraries. - Fundraising Event: Host an annual community spelling bee or vocabulary night for both adults and youth, using it as a fundraising and awareness event for youth literacy programs. - Rotary Literacy Award: Launch an annual award for students, teachers, or schools advancing literacy and academic achievement, presented at a public event.
2. Winter Wellness & Warmth Drive (Community Health & Basic Needs Support)
Context:
Recent news includes record cold temperatures and the region's first reported cold-related death (woman, age 68), highlighting serious risks for vulnerable residents during severe winter weather in Lake County, including Gurnee and Waukegan.
Potential Partners: - Local health departments (Lake County Health Department) - PADS Lake County (homeless shelter/support organization) - Food pantries and churches (e.g., COOL Ministries in Waukegan, local United Way) - Senior centers and assisted living facilities - Municipal emergency services
Next Steps: - Warmth Drive: Organize collection and distribution of winter essentials—coats, gloves, hats, blankets—for at-risk community members (homeless, low-income families, seniors). - Health Workshops: Partner with health professionals to provide winter health and safety workshops, including signs of hypothermia/frostbite, and distributing wellness kits (with vitamin C, warming packs, etc.). - Fundraising Gala/Drive: Launch a winter-themed fundraising event (such as a Polar Plunge or charity dinner) with proceeds funding local heating assistance programs, emergency shelter nights, and wellness checks for isolated seniors. - Outreach Collaboration: Mobilize Rotarians to assist with wellness checks and distribution, working alongside shelter staff and social workers to extend the initiative’s reach and impact.
These two projects directly respond to timely community needs and reflect Rotary’s focus on education, youth development, community health, and supporting vulnerable populations.
Project Idea 1: "Lake County Winter Warmth Drive" – Expanding the Coat Donation Program
Context:
Recent news highlighted an ongoing coat donation event at the Grayslake Community Park District, which reflects a heightened need for winter essentials among local families. Patch reports and food pantry data from Grayslake and surrounding Lake County areas indicate a noticeable increase in visits, suggesting a broader rise in financial hardship. As winter intensifies, this need will grow, particularly among vulnerable youth and families.
Potential Partners:
- Grayslake Community Park District (active coat drive organizers)
- Chicago-area food pantries (network to identify and reach those in need)
- Local schools (Waukegan, Gurnee, Grayslake Districts to distribute flyers and collections)
- Social service organizations (PADS Lake County, Catholic Charities Lake County)
Next Steps:
1. Contact the Grayslake Community Park District to coordinate support for their ongoing coat drive and discuss expansion into neighboring towns, including Waukegan and Gurnee.
2. Set up collection sites at Rotary meetings, partner businesses, libraries, and schools across Lake County.
3. Seek donations not only of coats but also hats, gloves, scarves, and socks—essential for winter well-being.
4. Organize Rotarian volunteers and involve Interact & Rotaract (youth) for sorting and distributing items to food pantries and shelters.
5. Publicize the drive via local news, social media, and school newsletters, highlighting stories humanizing the need.
6. Coordinate a distribution event in January or February at a central location (potentially a school gym or community center), in partnership with service agencies and local officials.
Rotary Areas of Focus: Community health, supporting vulnerable families, youth services.
Project Idea 2: "Youth Mental Wellness Resource Fair" – Addressing the Rising Need for Youth Support
Context:
With the tragic events reported recently (Grayslake couple charged in a fatal robbery attempt), the return of scholarship drives (the Kim Muno Scholarship Goal), and ongoing recovery from pandemic isolation, Lake County youth face increasing pressure and risk of mental health struggles. Community concern is rising about access to positive social supports and mental health resources for youth and their families.
Potential Partners:
- Local school districts (Grayslake High School District 127, Gurnee School District 56, Waukegan Public Schools)
- Youth services organizations (Lake County Youth Services Bureau, Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, National Alliance on Mental Illness Lake County)
- Healthcare providers (Lake County Health Department, NorthShore University HealthSystem)
- Mental health advocates and counselors
- Local Interact, Rotaract, and Key Clubs
Next Steps:
1. Contact school administrators and service agencies to gauge interest and coordinate event timing and location (e.g., a high school auditorium or public library).
2. Recruit expert speakers to deliver brief, practical talks on stress management, healthy relationships, and where to find help.
3. Invite community partners to staff tables with printed resources, helpline information, and sign-up sheets for ongoing youth programs.
4. Engage local Rotary youth clubs (Interact, Rotaract) to help plan and promote the event to peers, ensuring it is welcoming and relevant.
5. Solicit event sponsorships or underwriting from local businesses to provide food, activity supplies, and resource materials.
6. Publicize the fair widely: through Patch, social media, and partner newsletters, prioritizing privacy and inclusiveness.
7. After the event, follow up with surveys and connect interested attendees to ongoing youth support and leadership programs.
Rotary Areas of Focus: Supporting education, disease prevention and treatment (mental health), youth development.
1. Service Project: Mental Health & Wellness Fair for Youth and Families
Context:
Lake County, including Gurnee and Waukegan, continues to face heightened mental health stress, especially among youth and families, following years of disruption post-pandemic. Local organizations, including schools and health departments, have identified growing needs for accessible mental health resources, coping skills education, and community support. Hosting a Youth and Family Mental Health & Wellness Fair in collaboration with ongoing December community events would support Rotary’s area of focus on disease prevention and treatment, and maternal and child health.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Health Department & Community Health Center
- College of Lake County (existing event location partner)
- Local school districts (Waukegan CUSD60, Gurnee District 56, Woodland D50)
- NAMI Lake County
- Youth & Family Counseling, Libertyville
- Local businesses (for wellness product/service sponsorships)
Next Steps:
- Connect with College of Lake County leadership to coordinate event space during heavy December foot traffic (e.g., before or after “The Nutcracker” performances).
- Contact school social workers and counseling organizations to identify resources and speakers.
- Schedule mental health workshops, free counseling/resource info booths, and wellness activities (yoga, mindfulness, art therapy for youth).
- Raise sponsorship to fund materials and refreshments, and promote through Rotary, school, and partner channels.
2. Fundraising/Service Project: “Cards & Care Packages for the Troops and Seniors”
Context:
The “Drafts & Crafts: Holiday Cards for the Troops” event highlights ongoing local engagement in supporting deployed service members. Additionally, many Lake County seniors, including those served by the Libertyville Senior Center’s Mobile DMV event, face winter isolation and would welcome community outreach. Expanding this effort to a countywide, Rotary-led “Cards & Care Packages for the Troops and Seniors” project aligns with Rotary’s areas of focus on supporting peace, community service, and caring for vulnerable populations.
Potential Partners:
- Beer Bazaar (existing “Drafts & Crafts” organizer, Grayslake)
- Lake County Senior Services, Catholic Charities
- Libertyville Senior Center
- Operation Support Our Troops – America (OSOT-America)
- Local youth groups (school Interact clubs, Scouts)
Next Steps:
- Coordinate dates and locations for collection and packaging events, ideally partnering with Beer Bazaar and senior centers.
- Solicit donations of snacks, comfort items, and hand-made cards from local businesses and schools.
- Engage Rotary club members, youth volunteers, and community members in creating and collecting cards and care packages.
- Arrange delivery logistics for both deployed troops (via OSOT-America) and local isolated seniors (via senior services partners).
- Publicize success stories and project impact to encourage ongoing volunteerism and support.
1. Rotary Community Mental Health Wellness Initiative
Context:
The Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board is currently accepting grant applications to support nonprofit partners providing essential mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services. The increased focus on mental health in Lake County, particularly amid residual challenges from the pandemic and increased community need, highlights this as a key area for Rotary involvement.
Potential Partners: - Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board - Local providers such as Lake County Health Department, NAMI Lake County, and other mental health nonprofits - School districts in Gurnee, Waukegan, and surrounding communities - Local businesses (e.g. Waukegan Tire, who already sponsor local events and have a community presence)
Next Steps: - Connect with the Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board and local providers to identify the most urgent needs and possible gaps in current mental health outreach and education. - Organize a mental health awareness campaign, resource fair, or support group series open to the public, focusing on education, destigmatization, and resource navigation. - Explore possibilities for funding small grants to local organizations, or directly support local schools with mental health resources (e.g. printed materials, speaker events, workshops). - Leverage local business networks for sponsorship and dissemination of information. - Submit grant applications where appropriate and coordinate volunteer involvement from Rotary members.
2. Rotary Youth Enrichment and Education Scholarship Program
Context:
Lake County publicized that North Shore Catholic schools (Woodlands Academy, Regina Dominican, and Loyola Academy) are implementing new testing and admissions flexibility for 8th grade girls. Meanwhile, many families in Gurnee, Waukegan, and surrounding areas struggle to access educational enrichment opportunities due to cost and lack of awareness. Supporting youth education and access is a core Rotary focus—especially for underresourced populations.
Potential Partners: - Woodlands Academy, Regina Dominican, Loyola Academy admission offices - Local public middle schools and PTAs (in Gurnee, Waukegan, etc.) - Community organizations such as Society of St. Vincent de Paul (who are already active in youth and family support) - Local businesses (possible sponsors) - Rotary International’s youth service programs (e.g. Interact, Rotary Youth Exchange)
Next Steps: - Meet with local public middle school administrators and the partnering Catholic/private schools to determine barriers for local girls in accessing these new flexible admissions options. - Develop a scholarship fund or “application grant,” with fundraising events (e.g. a Benevolent Bakery or community pizzeria night) that helps offset application/test fees, transportation, or extra-curricular costs for families in need. - Host an “Education Access Day” info session for families and students, featuring admissions officers from the schools and current scholarship recipients. - Set up a Rotary youth mentorship component, matching high school-aged Interact members and Rotarians with middle schoolers considering their high school options. - Coordinate with local nonprofits for identification of eligible recipients and maximize community outreach.
Both initiatives directly address Rotary's core focus areas of community health (mental health) and supporting education and youth. These projects also readily invite community partnerships, make use of existing events/businesses, and offer clear avenues for Rotary volunteer and fundraising involvement.
1. Youth Safety and Family Support Program
Context:
Recent news from Libertyville highlighted a serious incident involving a domestic dispute that resulted in arson charges and the temporary missing status of a 14-year-old boy after a community event. These troubling events suggest a need for enhanced youth safety, family crisis support, and community education around conflict resolution and well-being. Rotary’s focus on child and maternal health and supporting education are clearly aligned.
Potential Partners:
- Lake County Youth Services Bureau
- ZCenter (Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, recently received grants for community education and prevention)
- Libertyville High School and area school districts
- Local law enforcement (e.g., Libertyville Police Department)
Next Steps:
- Convene a meeting with ZCenter, school counselors, and youth services to discuss gaps in youth safety and family support resources.
- Organize a Rotary-sponsored Youth and Family Safety Forum, bringing together experts to offer workshops on topics like family communication, conflict resolution, mental health, and emergency resources.
- Launch a fundraising campaign (such as a community dinner or online giving platform) to support the ongoing outreach of ZCenter and partners. Fund proceeds could expand crisis hotline hours, provide youth counseling scholarships, or train school staff in de-escalation and trauma-informed responses.
2. Community Health and Nutrition Drive
Context:
Reports indicated a significant community need, as evidenced by BHHS Chicago’s Libertyville Office donating 130 Thanksgiving meals to Lake County residents in need. As food insecurity remains a challenge and with additional concerns like the recent nationwide Listeria recall, supporting community health and nutrition is crucial. Addressing hunger and nutrition aligns with the Rotary focus on disease prevention and health improvement.
Potential Partners:
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago (recently ran a Giving Tuesday campaign, “Give Hope a Home”)
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- Local grocers/farmers’ markets
- Lake County Health Department
Next Steps:
- Partner with Northern Illinois Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul to organize quarterly Rotary Food and Nutrition Drives, focusing on healthy staples and fresh produce distribution.
- Host community “Health and Wellness Fairs” in collaboration with the Lake County Health Department, offering screenings, nutrition education, safe food handling workshops (especially following food safety outbreaks), and resources for under-served families.
- Secure sponsorships or matching gifts from local businesses and grocers to maximize fundraising impact and distribute gift cards or meal kits. Consider involving local restaurants and the recently covered “Benevolent Bakery” in meal preparation or food donation.
These Rotary projects directly respond to recent news and pressing local needs, building a safer and healthier Libertyville and Lake County community.