Rotary Club of Aurora United Grant Request Form


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Co-Presidents Linda Callahan and Guy Groot proudly represented the Rotary Club of Aurora United at Midwest PETS 2026 (President-Elect Training Seminar)—an inspiring gathering of Rotary leaders preparing for the year ahead.

Pictured here with keynote speaker and Rotary International President-Elect for 2026–2027, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, this event highlights the strength of Rotary leadership and the shared commitment to Service Above Self.

We’re excited to bring fresh ideas, energy, and inspiration back to Aurora as we continue to make a meaningful impact in our community and beyond.

Last weekend, Aurora United Rotarians Judd Lofchie and David Pedersen picked up boxes of freshly donated bread from Panera Bread and delivered them to Mutual Ground here in Aurora.

Mutual Ground plays a vital role in our community by providing safety, support, and resources for individuals and families affected by domestic violence and abuse. Acts of care like food donations help bring comfort, dignity, and reassurance to those facing some of life’s most challenging moments.

This kind of hands-on service reflects the heart of Rotary—building strong community partnerships, meeting immediate needs, and turning compassion into action. Supporting organizations like Mutual Ground is a powerful reminder of why service matters and how small efforts can create meaningful impact.

A heartfelt thank you to Panera Bread for their continued generosity and community support. Together, we are making a difference.

The Rotary Club of Aurora United was honored to welcome Cindy Bravos, Director of Community Support and Marketing for Hands of Hope, as our recent guest speaker.

Cindy shared the meaningful work Hands of Hope is doing throughout our community—providing comfort, dignity, and support to individuals and families during some of life’s most challenging moments. Her passion for service and commitment to compassionate care truly reflects the spirit of Service Above Self.

To learn more about their mission or get involved, visit www.hvhh.net.

Thank you, Cindy, for the incredible work you and your team do every day.

Members of the Rotary Club of Aurora United were proud to support the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry Senior Program, helping deliver nutritious food directly to local seniors in our community.

This vital program serves older adults—many living on fixed incomes—by providing consistent access to healthy groceries and essential items. For many, these deliveries are more than a convenience; they are a lifeline that supports independence, dignity, and well-being.

Beyond the food, it’s also about connection. A friendly visit, a check-in, and a reminder that they are not alone.

We’re grateful to partner with organizations like Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry and to continue putting Service Above Self into action right here in Aurora.

Learn more or support their mission: mariewilkinsonfoodpantry.org

What an incredible evening at the 2026 Wine and Chocolate Experience!

Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Aurora United and our amazing community for coming together to create such a meaningful and impactful night. Events like this truly showcase the power of connection, generosity, and Service Above Self.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our guests, members, sponsors, and volunteers who made the evening so enjoyable and successful. Your support and energy are what make nights like this possible.

We’re already looking forward to next year—see you then!

Pastor Pannell shared the inspiring mission behind WeNxT—an organization dedicated to empowering at-risk youth in Aurora and surrounding counties through a holistic approach that blends education, recreation, mentorship, and leadership development. Their programs are thoughtfully designed to help young people build confidence, purpose, and the skills needed to become future leaders in our community.

WeNxT’s collaborative partnerships with Aurora Township, the Aurora Police Department, Aurora University, and the Kane County Health Department demonstrate the power of working together to create meaningful, lasting impact.

Thank you, Pastor Pannell, for your passion, leadership, and commitment to strengthening the lives of our youth. Your work is a true reflection of Service Above Self and the difference community collaboration can make.

To learn more about WeNxT Youth Outreach:

https://www.wenxtyouthoutreach.org

Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Aurora United and the Rotary Club of Aurora First Light came together once again to serve both breakfast and fellowship to the clients of Hesed House Homeless Shelter.

Each month, our clubs unite with a shared purpose—filling bellies and hearts—by preparing and serving a warm meal while offering kindness, conversation, and connection. These mornings are a powerful reminder that service is strongest when it’s shared, and that compassion can be just as nourishing as the food on the table.

We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder in service, building community through action and living the Rotary value of Service Above Self.

On December 3rd, the Rotary Club of Aurora United welcomed Tony Winter from the Rotary Club of Batavia, IL, who shared valuable insights and real-world experiences on transforming an established Rotary club to drive membership growth and engagement.

Tony’s thoughtful presentation sparked great discussion and offered practical takeaways for strengthening clubs while staying true to Rotary’s mission. We were also proud to recognize Tony’s feature in the January 2025 issue of Rotary magazine, highlighting his leadership and success in this important area.

Thank you, Tony, for inspiring us to continue evolving, growing, and serving our community together.

The Rotary Club of Aurora United would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dean, Steven, and Nuno from the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry for their tireless dedication and leadership. Their hard work behind the scenes ensures that food is carefully prepared, thoughtfully packaged, and efficiently distributed to individuals and families who need it most—especially during the holiday season.

We are proud to stand alongside such committed partners and to support their mission with a $5,000 contribution from Aurora United, helping ensure no neighbor goes without a nutritious meal during this critical time of year.

Service Above Self is made possible by people like Dean, Steven, and Nuno, whose compassion and commitment make a meaningful difference every single day.

The Rotary Club of Aurora United is proud to continue our partnership with the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry during this busy holiday season—helping prepare food for distribution and delivering meals to seniors who are homebound.

As the holidays approach, our members are honored to serve neighbors who need extra support, ensuring families and seniors have access to nutritious meals, dignity, and the comfort of knowing their community cares.

Service Above Self is at the heart of everything we do.

Thank you to our volunteers and partners who help make the holidays brighter for those in need.

Rotary Club of Aurora – Hands On for Our Community

On Monday October 13th our Rotary Club members rolled up their sleeves and got to work during the Adopt-a-Trail cleanup along the Gilman Trail! Covering the one-mile stretches east and west from the Edgelawn Drive parking area, we picked up litter, cleared debris, and helped keep this beautiful trail safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Trail users stopped to thank us as we tackled the work—reminding us why community service, big or small, truly matters. Until next time, we’ll rest up and get ready to “attack” another section of the trail!

October 15th we were honored to welcome Elizabeth Andaas from Blessings in a Backpack – Chicago Chapter, an incredible organization dedicated to providing food for children who might otherwise go hungry.

Elizabeth shared how thousands of students across the Chicagoland area rely on school meal programs during the week—but often face food insecurity once classes end. Blessings in a Backpack steps in to fill that gap, ensuring kids have nutritious meals to take home each weekend so they can return to school on Monday ready to learn and thrive.

We are deeply inspired by the work they do and reminded that even small acts of giving can make a huge impact in the life of a child.

If you’d like to learn more or get involved, visit chicago.blessingsinabackpack.org.

The Rotary Club of Aurora United sponsors two Interact Clubs.  Rosary High School and Marmion Academy, both located in Aurora.  The clubs do several service projects and fundraising throughout the year.  We are very proud of the work they do and the students truly capture our motto "Service Above Self".

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Rotary Club of Aurora United 2024-2025 Photo Album

2024 Wine & Chocolate Event Album