Certainly! Drawing from the December 16, 2025 employment and community stories for Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL, here are two Rotary service or fundraising opportunities directly aligned with Rotary areas of focus, local current events, and demonstrable community needs:
1. Youth Career Skills & Apprenticeship Awareness Initiative
Rotary Area of Focus: Education, Youth Development
Context:
Lake County, notably Waukegan and Gurnee, faces ongoing challenges with youth unemployment and skills gaps, particularly for students not on a traditional four-year college path. The news mentions the IBEW Local 117 JATC’s upcoming application window for paid apprenticeships in electrical work and telecommunications (Jan 2026). Many students and young adults are unaware of lucrative skilled trades pathways that offer tuition-free education and good wages.
Potential Partners:
- IBEW Local 117 JATC (Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee)
- Local high schools and community colleges
- Lake County Workforce Development
- Youth service nonprofits (e.g., Boys & Girls Club of Lake County)
Next Steps:
a. Rotary Club convenes information sessions in late December and early January at schools, libraries, and community centers, featuring JATC staff and recent apprentices as speakers.
b. Provide transportation assistance to in-person application sessions for interested youth.
c. Develop print and digital outreach materials to distribute through schools, churches, and local media, emphasizing application details and pathways into the trades.
d. Host a “Career Day” event, where additional trades, union, and apprenticeship representatives can also present opportunities to youth and parents.
2. Community Health Workforce Scholarship Fundraiser
Rotary Area of Focus: Community Health, Education
Context:
There are multiple job postings for health and technical positions (ex: Siemens, RBC Technology Solutions/Dojau Medical Services), indicating local demand for qualified community health and tech professionals. Neighboring communities, including Waukegan and Gurnee, have persistent shortages of homegrown medical technicians, CNAs, and allied health workers—a need illuminated by both the postings and ongoing local healthcare access issues.
Potential Partners:
- College of Lake County (health sciences division)
- Local healthcare employers (e.g., Dojau Medical Services LLC, area clinics, Lake County Health Department)
- Community foundations (Lake County Community Foundation)
Next Steps:
a. Launch a Rotary scholarship fundraiser (ex: charity dinner, online auction) specifically for low-income high school graduates or adult learners pursuing short-term healthcare credentials (phlebotomy, medical assisting, CNA, etc.).
b. Partner with College of Lake County to identify eligible scholarship recipients and coordinate mentorship.
c. Invite employers to co-sponsor scholarships in exchange for enhanced recruiting/visibility at Rotary and partner events.
d. Publicize scholarship recipients and connect them with local mentors employed in healthcare.
Both projects reflect Rotary’s mission to support local youth, strengthen education-to-career pathways, and address root causes of economic and health disparities in Gurnee, Waukegan, and the greater Lake County community.
1. Support for YouthBuild Lake County’s Career Training and Affordable Housing Projects
Context:
YouthBuild Lake County recently opened a career training facility in Waukegan. The program actively involves local youth in construction, life skills, and workforce development, while also building affordable housing in the area. This addresses Rotary’s key focus areas: youth empowerment, education, and community economic development.
Potential Partners:
- YouthBuild Lake County (lead agency)
- Local trade associations (e.g., Lake County Contractors Association)
- Waukegan and Gurnee school districts
- Local banks and credit unions interested in workforce development
Next Steps:
- Rotary Club members should reach out to YouthBuild’s Executive Director to discuss collaboration.
- Plan a service day where Rotarians can mentor students, provide job shadows, or offer workshops in resume writing and interviewing.
- Develop a fundraising campaign (e.g., a benefit dinner or online giving campaign) to help purchase tools, materials, or scholarships for YouthBuild students.
- Coordinate with local schools to identify students who might benefit from YouthBuild programs and publicize these opportunities.
2. Environmental Clean-Up and Stewardship Using Monsanto Settlement Funds
Context:
A recent column notes that Lake County towns will receive settlement funds from Monsanto, historically linked to environmental pollution. This presents an opportunity to promote environmental stewardship and education, directly aligned with Rotary’s environment area of focus.
Potential Partners:
- Local municipal governments (City of Waukegan, Village of Gurnee)
- Lake County Forest Preserves
- Local environmental NGOs, such as the Lake County Conservation Foundation
- Schools and youth groups for volunteer engagement
Next Steps:
- Contact local government environmental offices to identify priority restoration sites (such as lakeshores, creeks, or parklands impacted by pollutants).
- Organize a community clean-up event with Rotary volunteers, municipal workers, students, and environmental partners.
- Use part of the settlement funds (if possible) or raise matching Rotary funds to purchase supplies, trees, native plants, or educational signage about pollution prevention.
- Create educational programming for youth tied to stewardship, recycling, and environmental health, running in conjunction with the clean-up projects.
These targeted projects draw on both current news and ongoing needs, and foster Rotary values of service, ethical leadership, and sustainable improvement in Gurnee, Waukegan, and across Lake County.
Certainly! Based on your summary of recent news in Lake County, including the story of 12-year-old Visharad Sathish qualifying for the National Spelling Bee, and general knowledge of the region’s current challenges, here are two Rotary service or fundraising project ideas aligned with Rotary’s areas of focus.
Context:
Visharad Sathish’s success highlights academic excellence among Lake County youth. However, travel to national competitions can be a financial burden and academic enrichment opportunities are not equally accessible across all schools. Many bright students, particularly from under-resourced areas in Waukegan and Gurnee, lack financial support for such events or extracurriculars that foster leadership and scholarship.
Potential Partners: - Lake County Regional Office of Education - Participating School Districts (District 50, District 56, District 121, etc.) - Local businesses for sponsorship (e.g., Gurnee Mills, local bookstores) - Parent-teacher associations (PTAs) - Non-profits like Boys & Girls Club of Lake County
Next Steps: 1. Coordinate with the Regional Office of Education to identify students advancing to regional, state, or national competitions who may need financial assistance. 2. Launch a fundraising campaign (e.g., spelling bee night, trivia fundraisers, online giving) to create a sponsorship fund for competition fees, travel, and enrichment resources (books, software, tutoring). 3. Promote the fund through schools, media, and business partners. 4. Establish an application process for equitable distribution of support to students in need, and celebrate recipients publicly to promote youth achievement. 5. Consider pairing this with reading mentor programs for at-risk students in Waukegan or Gurnee.
Context:
Lake County communities continue to address environmental concerns, from water quality to green space preservation. Rotary’s environment focus is timely, and local schools, parks, and neighborhoods in Waukegan and Gurnee present opportunities for impactful, hands-on service projects that also educate youth.
Potential Partners: - Lake County Forest Preserves - Local school green teams or science teachers - Waukegan Park District, Gurnee Park District - Community organizations like North Shore Water Reclamation District - Native plant nurseries and local landscape businesses
Next Steps: 1. Identify schools or parks (particularly in underserved Waukegan/Gurnee neighborhoods) interested in starting or revitalizing gardens, pollinator habitats, or tree-planting projects. 2. Organize community service days with Rotary volunteers, students, parents, and local environmental partners. 3. Fundraise for native plants, tools, educational signage, and maintenance supplies through events (plant sales, Earth Day fairs, corporate sponsorships). 4. Integrate environmental education workshops for youth, possibly through partnerships with local teachers and science departments. 5. Publicize projects with signage and media, showcasing Rotary as a leader in sustainability and education. 6. Measure and report on positive environmental impact (e.g., pollinator counts, gallons of rainwater absorbed, number of students engaged).
These initiatives respond directly to community achievements and needs, foster collaboration, and build Rotary’s visibility as a champion for education and the environment in Lake County.
1. Service Project: Food Security Initiative for Local Pantries
Context:
Recent reporting notes that Chicago-area food pantries, including those serving Waukegan, Gurnee, and greater Lake County, have experienced a significant spike in visits over the past year. This trend indicates growing food insecurity among local families, making it an urgent community health and basic needs issue.
Potential Partners:
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- COOL Ministries Food Pantry (Waukegan)
- Community Action Partnership of Lake County
- Local grocery stores (Jewel, Mariano’s, Walmart)
- Other service clubs and faith-based organizations
Next Steps:
- Contact food pantry leaders to assess immediate needs (staple foods, hygiene items, volunteers).
- Organize a community food and essentials drive, leveraging Rotary club members, schools, and local businesses.
- Plan a volunteer service day to sort and distribute food, with Rotary members offering hands-on help.
- Explore a fundraising dinner or event (possibly at a local restaurant or community center), with proceeds buying high-need pantry items.
- Raise awareness through social media and local media about food insecurity and Rotary’s response.
2. Service/Fundraising Project: Youth Journalism & Civic Responsibility Program
Context:
Recent news highlights that Grayslake High School students contributed to winning a major journalism award. This success presents an opportunity to foster youth development, education, and civic engagement, especially amid ongoing local safety challenges (reports of crime, traffic campaigns, etc.).
Potential Partners:
- Grayslake Community High School District 127
- Waukegan High School’s journalism and media clubs
- Daily Herald or Lake County News-Sun journalists
- Local public libraries
- College of Lake County (Communications/Journalism Department)
Next Steps:
- Connect with Grayslake High School’s journalism adviser and interested faculty in neighboring districts.
- Design a youth journalism workshop or mentorship program—emphasizing public service reporting, community safety, and civic awareness.
- Seek guest speakers from local media and law enforcement to share responsible reporting and community leadership strategies.
- Organize a “Youth Voices Forum” where students publish or present impactful stories, perhaps themed around solutions to community challenges.
- Raise funds for professional equipment, field trips, or scholarships for youth participants—possibly hosting a sponsored storytelling night or dinner.
Both projects are strongly aligned with Rotary's focus on community health, basic needs, education, and youth empowerment, and build on specific, documented trends and achievements in the Lake County area.
Certainly! Based on recent community events and ongoing issues in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County, IL, here are two Rotary service or fundraising opportunities that directly align with Rotary’s areas of focus and current community needs:
1. Youth Enrichment & Literacy: Book and Tutoring Drive at the College of Lake County
Context:
Waukegan and surrounding areas face persistent educational achievement gaps, especially among lower-income and minority youth. The College of Lake County (CLC), hosting events like the Ruth Page’s “The Nutcracker,” regularly partners with the community and serves as a hub for young people. With 2025 noting a heightened focus on education recovery post-pandemic, supporting out-of-school literacy and tutoring is key.
Potential Partners:
- College of Lake County administration and student organizations
- Local school districts (Waukegan Public Schools, Gurnee District 56)
- Public libraries (Waukegan Public Library, Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee)
- Local businesses willing to provide sponsorship or in-kind support (e.g., bookstores)
Next Steps:
1. Engage CLC's outreach or student affairs office to co-host a book, tutoring, and school supply drive, with drop-offs at campus events in December.
2. Coordinate with local schools to identify specific student needs and recruit high-school/college students as volunteer peer tutors or reading buddies.
3. Publicize via local events calendars (like the Grayslake Patch) and local publications.
4. Measure impact by tracking the number of youth served and books/resources distributed.
2. Community Health and Wellness: Holiday Food & Hygiene Pop-Up for Vulnerable Families
Context:
Lake County—including Waukegan and Gurnee—continues to see high needs among food-insecure families, especially around the holidays. Rising inflation has made access to basic hygiene items and nutritious food a challenge for many families. The KC's Cabin Last Minute Market in Spring Grove serves as a local event with high foot traffic, presenting an ideal setting for a Rotary outreach pop-up.
Potential Partners:
- KC's Cabin and market organizers
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- Local health clinics (Lake County Health Department, Erie HealthReach Waukegan)
- Other service clubs or congregations
Next Steps:
1. Coordinate with KC’s Cabin and Last Minute Market planners to secure a Rotary booth for December 21.
2. Partner with the Northern Illinois Food Bank and local retailers to provide healthy food, warm clothing, and hygiene kits to families in need.
3. Recruit Rotarians and youth volunteers to staff the booth and connect visitors to local support services.
4. Follow up post-event with recipients to assess ongoing needs and potential for recurring support.
Both project ideas are timely, actionable, and allow for partnership with established community organizations while aligning with Rotary’s areas of focus: supporting education/youth and improving health and basic needs.
Service & Fundraising Opportunity 1: Community Traffic Safety and Educational Campaign
Rotary Areas of Focus: Community Health, Youth
Context:
In response to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office ramping up patrols as part of a holiday traffic safety campaign (through Jan. 5, 2026) and a recent serious rollover crash on I-94 that injured three, there is heightened concern about road safety in the Gurnee, Waukegan, and Lake County community, especially during high-traffic periods. Education, awareness, and community involvement can complement law enforcement’s safety initiatives and address the root causes of dangerous driving—like distracted or impaired driving—especially among youth and young adults.
Potential Partners: - Lake County Sheriff’s Office - Local high schools (e.g., Warren Township High School (Gurnee), Waukegan High School) - Waukegan Tire (local business sponsor) - YMCA or local youth organizations
Next Steps: 1. Connect with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and local schools to discuss co-hosting educational assemblies or workshops on safe driving. 2. Develop a fundraising campaign—such as a “Drive Safe” 5K run/walk, with proceeds supporting accident victims or funding educational materials in schools. 3. Recruit local businesses, like Waukegan Tire, to sponsor safety giveaways (reflective gear, helmet fittings, etc.). 4. Collaborate with area media to publicize the efforts during peak travel times (holidays, prom season, etc.). 5. Monitor project impact via attendance, survey feedback, and potentially, reductions in student and community traffic incidents.
Service & Fundraising Opportunity 2: Senior Connection and Enrichment Program Expansion
Rotary Areas of Focus: Community Health, Supporting the Elderly, Reducing Isolation
Context:
The Touchpoint Program, launched by Congregation Sukkat Shalom, has been recognized for enabling seniors to connect and find a sense of community (recently featured in Lake Forest-Lake Bluff news). Loneliness and isolation among the elderly remain urgent public health challenges, especially during winter months and post-pandemic. Rotary could collaborate to expand such initiatives within local senior centers, faith communities, or accessible public venues.
Potential Partners: - Congregation Sukkat Shalom (Touchpoint Program) - North Shore Senior Center/Lake County Council for Seniors - Area hospitals and clinics (for referrals and outreach) - Local student groups (intergenerational connections: Woodlands Academy, YMCA youth, etc.)
Next Steps: 1. Initiate dialogue with Touchpoint Program leaders about a Rotary collaboration—offering volunteers, support for transportation, or funding group activities (arts, games, tech help, wellness workshops). 2. Organize intergenerational event days, inviting high school or college students (such as from Woodlands Academy or YMCA youth groups) to participate. 3. Launch a fundraising drive (Rotary gala, online auction) to cover expanded programming, meals, or tech tools for virtual connections. 4. Create outreach materials targeting isolated seniors and their families to invite participation. 5. Collect metrics on participation and reported well-being to track and promote the program’s success.
1. Community Health & Safety Initiative: "Safe Roads, Safe Holidays" Campaign
Context:
Recent news highlights an increase in traffic safety campaigns by the Lake County Sheriff's Office, especially during the high-traffic holiday season ("Patrols Ramped Up In Lake County For Holiday Traffic Safety Campaign"). Fatal vehicle accidents, such as the one involving a Mundelein resident on Route 22, underscore an urgent community health and safety concern. Rotary’s focus on disease prevention and community well-being aligns with addressing accident prevention, safe driving awareness, and post-accident support.
Potential Partners: - Lake County Sheriff's Office (contact: Sheriff John Idleburg) - Local hospitals (Advocate Condell Medical Center, Vista Health) - Area high schools (Waukegan High, Warren Township) - Insurance providers engaged in safe driving outreach
Next Steps: - Convene a meeting with the Sheriff’s Office and local EMS to identify key risk factors and messaging needs. - Develop and print multilingual safe driving materials targeting both adults and teens for distribution at school assemblies, community centers, and local businesses. - Organize a fundraising drive or charity event to support local accident survivor assistance programs (scholarships, counseling, or medical support). - Host “Safe Holiday Driving” workshops, potentially with interactive activities or guest speakers from survivor advocacy groups.
2. Youth Engagement & Workforce Development: "Lights, Camera, Lake County!" Film & Media Mentorship
Context:
Lake County is currently hosting film productions, such as "The Exes of Christmas Past" (news: “Rom-Com Filming in Lake County To Get Underway This Weekend”). This media activity presents an opportunity to engage youth interested in film, media, and digital arts, while connecting them to real-world professionals and skill-building experiences. Rotary’s education and youth development areas can be advanced by fostering creative career pathways for local students.
Potential Partners: - Lake County Film Festival organizers and local production companies - Area schools and youth organizations (Waukegan Park District, Boys & Girls Club) - Media professionals involved in current productions (contact through Lake County Film Office) - Community colleges (College of Lake County: digital media and communications departments)
Next Steps: - Reach out to film production teams and the Lake County Film Office for partnership opportunities, such as set visits, Q&A sessions, or internship days. - Partner with local schools to identify interested students for a “media bootcamp” or mentorship program. - Organize a fundraising film screening event, with proceeds supporting scholarships for students to attend film, technology, or digital storytelling camps. - Develop a recurring "Student Short Film Series," featuring youth work on issues relevant to the area (public safety, diversity, community pride), culminating in an annual showcase.