Arcola Rotary Club wins District Award and installs new president
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
The Arcola Rotary Club met at the Backwater Tavern on June 26 at its last meeting for the Rotary year. District 6490 Governor Mike Martin from Mattoon presented the District’s Vocational Service Award to the Arcola Club.
The club was recognized for its business symposium, which was held on Oct. 24, 2024. For the event, Arcola area businesspeople were invited to learn more about EIU and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The SBDC provides services at no cost to area businesses to help them grow and achieve success.
President Kris Graves summarized the programs that the club held during this past Rotary year, including hosted events and projects. It really was a busy year and much was accomplished. Our grant for the City Dog Park has been completed and ongoing fundraising has netted $3,500 so far. Donations are still being accepted by the city of Arcola to cover final costs. Graves thanked all club members for their help this year and presented awards to the officers and individual members for their special service throughout the year.
DG Mike Martin installed Mick Howrey as the new 2025-2026 President of the club. Other members serving on the 2025-26 Executive Board are: Nick Lindsey, Vice-President; Karen Yardley, Treasurer; Winnie Stortzum, Secretary; Ken Bunker, Sergeant-at-Arms; and Immediate Past President, Kris Graves.
Mick Howrey announced a project, “Shoes for Orphaned Souls” that the incoming District Governor, John Calderon, will be starting this year. All members of District 6490 of east-central Illinois are being asked to collect new shoes for children from birth to 18 years old. DG Calderon will be visiting the Arcola Club on Thursday evening, August 21st, and the club would like to have the whole town involved in the collection of shoes to present to him at that time.
Howrey also mentioned a new program that he’d like the club to support, titled “LeaderUP” Scholarships. The club would help sponsor a person in the Arcola area to attend a leadership development course. More information will be shared in the coming weeks. He also talked about the club supporting the Peace Meal program which provides meals to shut-ins as well as helping seniors or others in need with information about public services which are available to help them.
The club will hold two Assemblies to be held during the July 10 and the July 24 club meetings for planning the year’s events. Members were encouraged to attend.
If you are interested in helping with the betterment of the Arcola community by joining the Arcola Rotary Club, please contact any Rotarian or Secretary Winnie Stortzum at (217) 372-7550.