Welcome
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Woodridge!
On behalf of the Club Officers and Members we sincerely welcome you to our dynamic club.
The Rotary Club of Woodridge is committed to the mission of Rotary which is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through a fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. We assist in developing community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. We also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self.
It is our hope that you will support the Woodridge Club's efforts to make a difference in the community and abroad to improve the quality of life for those in need.
Special Announcements:
"Service Above Self" College Scholarship Program:
The Rotary Club of Woodridge's College Scholarship Committee chaired by Ms. Julie Burke will be accepting applications for the 2012 "Service Above Self" College Scholarshop Program through April 3, 2012. The Club will award two (2) - $2,000 scholarships to the winning recipients respecitve university.
For additional details click on the following link: Scholarship Information
Four-Way Test Essay Contest (Junior High Students): The Rotary Club of Woodridge's Four-Way Test Essay Contest Committee is chaired by Mr. Jim Picek. Stay tune for details for the 2012 contest.
The winner will recieve a $50 U.S. Savings Bond from the Rotary Club of Woodridge and entry into the Rotary Interntional District 6450 contest that could win a $150 cash prize for 1st Place, $100 for 2nd Place and $50 for 3rd Place. Additionally, $50 will be awarded to the winning student's classroom awarded on behalf of the student.
The Club awarded Jack Diamond from St. Scholastica School as the essay winner for the 2011 contest.
For additional details click on the following link: Contest Information
Upcoming Events:
3rd Annual Recycling Extravaganza 
Saturday, May 19, 2012 8AM - Noon
Woodridge Park District's
Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park
(8301 S. Janes Avenue, Woodridge, IL)
Volunteers needed - call 630/719-4707
Click Here for items being collected for recycling!
13th Annual Mini Triathlon (Chicagland's LARGEST Mini-Tri Event)
Sunday, August 19, 2012 (Main Event 7AM / KiDs Event 10:30AM)
Woodridge Park District's
Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park
(8301 S. Janes Avenue, Woodridge, IL)
Early Bird Registration opened March 1, 2012
Click Here for Online registration
Click Here for promo video
Click Here for Event details
Sponsors & volunteers welcome. Contact Race Director Mike Adams
at madams@woodridgeparks.org
The Rotary Club of Woodridge and Woodridge Mini Triathlon support the following races:
Seven Bridges Season Starters 10Mile, 5k & 1 Mile Childrens Run
Sunday, May 20, 2012 (10Mile - 8AM / 5k - 8:15AM / 1Mile Kids - 10:45AM)
CARA Certified
For detailed information CLICK HERE.
Downers Grove Park District 35th Annual
DG5 Miler Run
Sunday, June 24, 2012 (5 Miles - 8:30AM)
CARA/USTAF Certified
For detailed information CLICK HERE.
Past News:
St. Paddy's Day Bash!
The Woodridge Rotary hosted Woodridge's First St. Paddy's Day Bash! The event featured The Whiskey Brothers on Friday, March 16, 2012 at Seven Bridges Golf Club, 1 Mulligan Drive, Woodridge, IL 60517.
For event details: Click Here
NBC's Biggest Loser Participant - Came to Woodridge
On March 13, 12 noon, the Woodridge Rotary hosted Jerry Hayes participant from the very popular NBC’s Biggest Loser program. In an effort to promote wellness within the community, the Rotary Club has asked Jerry and his wife Estella to share information about their journey to health.
This 65 year old couple during season 7 (September 2008 through May 2009) on the Biggest Loser started on the journey that changed their lives from couch potatoes to athletes by losing a combined weight of 260 lbs in less than 8 months. Hed discussed how they struggled to start and how they dedicated themselves to a life changing process. Also, how they overcome the myth of the mind and body regarding their age and their ability to do high intensive exercises. Jerry and Estella can easily say that “If they can do it, anyone can do it.” Their story inspired everyone in attendance to change their lives and to be proactive in their journey to a healthy new life. Both Jerry and Estella are still at goal weight and enjoy a healthy and fit life.
Rotary's Evening of Blues 2011
(Saturday, September 11, 2011)
The Rotary Club of Woodridge hosted an Evening of Blues off the "Dock" at Seven Bridges Golf Club to support Woodridge Community Resource Center Educational Scholars.
Click here for event details.
12th Annual Mini Triathlon (Chicagland's LARGEST Mini-Tri Event)
The 12th Annual Mini Triathlon (Chicagoland's LARGEST) held on August 21, 2011 again sets a record by registering 700 athletes, which took place at Woodridge's award winning C
ypress Cove Family Aquatic Park. The Club's main fundraiser netted $28,000 in proceeds to be used for the Club's charitable and service projects throughout the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
The Club extends its sincerest gratitude to the 120 plus volunteers and extended list of Sponsors led by Platinum Sponsor: Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital & Good Samaritan Health and Fitness; Gold Sponsors: Wilton Brands and McDavid USA; Silver Sponsors: Girgis Orthodontics, Morton Salt, Illinois American Water, and Sam's Club; as well as the many other community sponsors.
The tentative date for the 13th Annual Mini Triathlon is August 19, 2012.
Rotary Clubs Team Up to Support Downers Grove South Jazz Ensemble
Rotary Clubs from Woodridge, Darien, Downers Grove, and Westmont hosted the Downers Grove South Jazz Ensemble at the Seven Bridges Golf Club on April 12. The Jazz Ensemble performed a sneak preview of their selections for the 16th Annual “Essentially Ellington” High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival in New Y
ork City in mid-May. The South High Jazz Ensemble is among 30 finalists to be selected nationally to attend the 3-day event of workshops, jam sessions and performances. The four local Rotary Clubs showed their appreciation and support for these outstanding young musicians by providing a $7000 check for the New York competition and the music program in general at District 99 high schools.
The check was presented by Susan McNeil-Marshall, Woodridge Rotary President, and Mark Samel, immediate Woodridge Rotary Past President to Craig Roselieb, Downers Grove South Music Director. Samel also provided a separate $3000 check to the group from the Michael David Samel Spirit of Music Fund, a foundation which was established to honor Michael Samel, Mark’s son and a dedicated high school musician who died in an auto accident ten years ago.
The Rotary Foundation, a charitable arm of Rotary International, provided a portion of the funding through a joint grant developed by the four Rotary Clubs. Each local club contributed at least a $1000 to the grant and the Foundation added a 50% match. Darien Rotary President Randy May, Nancy Martens, Westmont President-elect, and Downers Grove Todd Gallentine officially represented their clubs at the lunch at Seven Bridges.
“Our support shows how much we respect the commitment that these young people have made to the music program—and how proud we are of their participation,” noted Rich Moore, Woodridge Rotarian who worked with Samel to bring the Rotary Foundation and the Darien, Downers, Westmont, and Woodridge Rotary Clubs together for this effort.
2nd Recycling Extravaganza
Thank You Woodridge Community - On May 14, your efforts made a difference in the environment. The Woodridge Rotary Recycling extravaganza was a huge success thanks to the many volunteers, community groups and residents who took the time to clean up their town. A special thanks to the Woodridge Jaycees who worked tirelessly at the electronics recycling station. The Woodridge Lions Club and the Woodridge VFW provided much needed opportunities to recycle eye glasses and flags. The Green Team from Downers Grove South High and their faculty volunteers were a great new addition this year to our volunteer crew. We had volunteers from the Village of Woodridge, the Woodridge Park District, the Woodridge Public Library and the community. DuPage County’s participation in the event supported the electronics recycling and the paper shredding. We appreciate their financial support as well as their contribution of manpower during the event. The Woodridge Rotary wants to say a special thanks to SCARCE and Kay who provide the encouragement and assist in locating resources for the successful event. Our vendors/participants were great to work with – Cintas, Exide, Neil’s Hauling, and the Sharing Connection. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS COMMUNITY EFFORT!!!
For more information regarding the past event click here. For event flier click here.
John Perry
