The Jacksonville Rotary Club donated more than $115,000 to the local community in 2017-18. These donations resulted from Jacksonville Rotary Club’s fundraising efforts, community support, and collaboration with the Jacksonville Rotary Foundation.
In her last meeting at the helm of the Jacksonville Rotary Club, President Ginny Fanning said, “Our major project, celebrating our club’s Centennial, contributed $94,556 to the new patio and electronic sign at the Morgan County Fairgrounds. Other club donations went to Prairieland United Way, Passavant Lifeline, Jacksonville Main Street, Green Pastures Christian Retreat Center, Chautauqua, Fellowship of Christian Athletes at MacMurray College and Illinois College, Share the Love, JHS Post Prom, Fourth of July Blast Committee, Washington Elementary Dance Squad, and Beyond Water.”
Fanning continued, “We distributed $10,000 in Scholarships from the Jacksonville Rotary Foundation to local high school graduates. The Rotary Trees Project planted more than $900 in trees for the community. The club used a $2,158 Literacy Grant from Rotary District 6460 to provide books to every classroom at South Elementary School and a $2,000 Grant from Rotary District 6460 (matched with $1,739 in club funds) to purchase new equipment for the District 117 Special Needs classroom at Eisenhower School. We want to thank everyone for their support of these community projects.”
Fanning then proceeded to induct new club president Daphne Spradlin, president-elect Brittany Henry, secretary-treasurer Steve Hardin, and board of directors Shawn Artis, Cathy Jo Littleton-Wahl, Steven Varble, Maryjane Million, Jane Breen, Gina Hayes, Jean Hembrough, and Karen Walker.
Spradlin spoke about the club’s upcoming year and her excitement about how Rotary will continue to benefit the community, saying, “We want to encourage everyone to mark their calendars for our Oktoberfest, which will take place at the Morgan County Fairgrounds on September 15. And please continue to come out for free Ferris Wheel rides on Sundays from 4:00-6:00 p.m. through October.”
The Jacksonville Rotary Club was recently recognized by the Jacksonville Journal-Courier as “Best Community Supporter” in its 2018 Readers’ Choice Awards, an award the club shared with the Jacksonville Kiwanis Club.
Rotary unites people from all continents, cultures, and occupations. Rotarians are leaders in their fields and communities. Rotarians’ diverse perspectives help them to identify and solve problems in communities throughout the world.