Denise Kraft, President of Rotary announces fundraising partnership

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of DuPage will be the benefactor of the 2024 third annual Rotary Holiday Gala fundraiser

Denise Kraft President of the Woodridge Rotary Club proudly announces that they have partnered with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) of DuPage to be the benefactor of the 2024 third annual Rotary Holiday Gala fundraiser.

Geri Kerger, Executive Director and Meredith Kober, Director of Programs gathered with Rich Moore, Fundraising Chairman, Mary Onorad and John Kozlowski from the Woodridge Rotary Club to discuss the details of this upcoming event.

The third annual Holiday Gala will be held on Wednesday December 4th at Bobak's Banquets in Woodridge. The various foods will be sponsored by many local restaurants. The musical entertainment will be provided by 'Vintage Vinyl'. It will be a magical night of giving and gratitude. More details about this event will follow as these two great organizations work together to raise funds for the Woodridge Rotary Club and NAMI of DuPage.NAMI of DuPage was founded in 1985 by a small group of caring parents and has grown to become one of the largest and most innovative alliance on Mental Illness affiliates nationwide.NAMI's mission is to provide support, advocacy, and education to improve the quality of life of individuals with mental illnesses and their families

NAMI's programs support all of DuPage County including Woodridge, Downers Grove and Naperville. The Woodridg Rotary Club is hoping to raise funds to support the many programs offered by NAMI. They provide mental health education to middle and high school students, parents and school staff. They provide educational workshops tailored to each audience. More information is available at their website namidupage.org/youth. The Woodridge Rotary Club will provide more details regarding ticketing of the gala event and sponsorship opportunities as they become available soon.

Rotary Annual Installation Of Officers And Awards Dinner.

There were three scholarship winners and their families who attended the dinner, Maija Flannery, Juliana Urgello and Sara Ryan.

The Woodridge Rotary Club gathered together at Shanahan's Food & Spirits on Tuesday June 25th for its annual installation of officers and awards dinner.

Mary Onorad led the club on the Pledge of Allegiance, Four Way Test and Grace. President Rich Moore welcomed two new members to the Woodridge Rotary Club, Bill Thompson and Adrienne Murphy.

Rich Moore gave an update of the Club's accomplishments during 2024. The success of the Club's second annual holiday gala which was held in December of 2023 at Bobak's provided enough revenue to support two great projects, the purchase of a war memorial for Woodridge VFW Post 1578 and a cargo shipment of medical equipment and supplies for Project Cure, a local Woodridge organization.
Moore spoke of last years Rotary theme which was "to create hope in the world" and thanked all of the club members and the community for their support regarding this program.
There were three scholarship winners (and their families) who attended the dinner, Maija Flannery, Juliana Urgello and Sara Ryan from Downers Grove South High School. The recipients competed for these awards by submitting an application accompanied by their story of accomplishments of volunteering in our community. The scholarship awards were mailed directly to their selected colleges. John Kozlowski, executive secretary, presented the award certificates to the students. Rich Moore, President gave each of the students a globe of the world to remind them that each person can make a difference in this world.

Before Rich Moore passed the gavel to Denise Kraft, the club's new president, he sang a few bars of the song 'You have the whole world in your hands' and wished them well.
Denise Kraft will assume the role of President of the Woodridge Rotary Club. She has been a member of the club since 2018. Denise has volunteered for many organizations in our community including the West Suburban Food Pantry. The new theme for Rotary International for 2025 and 2026 is "The Magic of Rotary". Denise said that the Woodridge Rotary Club will continue to support local organizations like, "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" and other local charities. The 2024 Gala will be held on December 4th at Bobak's, more details will be released shortly. The fundraising activities will support NAMI and Autism.

Denise was surrounded by many family members and friends who pledged to help make this Rotary year a magical experience.

Woodridge Rotary Club Honors Mike Adams

The Rotary gathered to honor Mike for his years of service to the Park District and the Woodridge community with a tree planting ceremony

The Woodridge Rotary Club, family, friends and dignitaries gathered at the Fred Honke Park District offices to honor Mike Adams retirement. Mike was the Executive Director of the Woodridge Park District. They gathered to honor Mike Adams for his 34 years plus of service to the Park District and the Woodridge community.

The ceremony included a tree planting and presentation of a plaque in appreciation of his outstanding service to the Woodridge Rotary Club and community. Rich Moore, President of the Woodridge Rotary Club congratulated Mike for his many accomplishments, Rich said "Mike always led from in front by working with the entire community listening to their needs and making changes along the way”.

Looking back on one of his many accomplishments was working with the Woodridge Rotary Club on the Mini Triathlon fundraiser. Mike was the race coordinator. The Mini Triathlon began in the year 2000 with about 80 participants and ended in 2021 at its peak, he had over 800 participants from many communities and a variety of states. In 2013 the Woodridge Rotary Club Mini Triathlon event named "Woodridge" recipient of the Illinois Governor’s Home Town Award. The proceeds from this fundraising event helped many local charities in the Woodridge community. Due to road closures and construction, the Mini Triathlon ended in 2021.

The Woodridge Rotary Club began its new fundraising campaign by holding its annual holiday gala event. This year the Gala will be held on December 4th, 2024 at Bobak’s. More details will follow.

The new Executive Director of the Park District is Jennifer Knitter, she is a long term employee of the Park District and has worked side by side with Mike over the past several years. Congratulations to Jennifer! Following the tree planting presentation everyone gathered at Shanahan’s Food & Spirits for the Rotary club’s social meeting and to celebrate Mike’s retirement

Best wishes to our good friend Mike Adams for his leadership skills towards this community!

A Note of Thanks From Mike Adams:

A huge thank you to all my Woodridge Rotary friends for the official tree dedication. As previously expressed, I’m truly humbled by this recognition, especially with the location of the tree planting being installed at the Fred C. Hohnke Community Center and in the Keith W. Frankland Recognition Garden - two Woodridge legends. I genuinely appreciate all that Rotary accomplishes each year for the betterment of the Woodridge Community to live, learn, work and play. Thanks for all you do and see you around town soon!

All the Best,

Mike Adams