
House Resolution 42, offered by Representative Jeff Keicher, was adopted by the House of Representatives on February 10th, commending the DeKalb Rotary Club for 100 years of service to the community and the world. The resolution recognizes the significant contributions that the Club has made in its 100-year history, including the construction of a swimming pool for DeKalb County citizens and the establishment of a campground for Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations in 1926. The Club’s history of service to the community and world has continued with international humanitarian projects, including the purchase of an ambulance for a village in the Cong and gifting an EKG machine to a village in Guatemala. Locally the DeKalb Rotary Club continues to live the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” by providing music recitals to retirement centers, delivering Meals on Wheels, scholarships for DeKalb High School students, and multiple other service projects.
“I was honored to introduce this resolution granting official recognition from the State of Illinois celebrating the legacy of the DeKalb Rotary Club and showing my support for their current projects that enhance our civic pride,” said Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore). “I congratulate the members and leadership team of the DeKalb Rotary Club on 100 years of achievement in selfless service to our community. Their contributions to DeKalb truly cannot be measured simply in terms of years or dollars. They embody love of community and exemplify how a small number of individuals can truly lift up an entire city by bringing neighbors together in support of a common cause.”
In continuing with the long history of service to the DeKalb community, the DeKalb Rotary Club has selected as its centennial project the restoration of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial clock to working order. The clock is located in Memorial Park at the corner of First Street and Lincoln Highway and has not been functional for many years. DeKalb Rotary Club is planning to bring the workings of the clock to modern specifications while preserving the exterior look. The Memorial Clock, also celebrating its centennial, was dedicated on February 13, 1921.
“Our club has a long history of service to the community and throughout the world, and we are honored that the House of Representatives has recognized the club with the resolution,” said Brian Corr, DeKalb Rotary Club President. “And we are excited to continue that legacy of service with the clock restoration project.”
A preliminary quote indicates that the repairs to the clock will cost between $7,000 and $10,000. Once the Club has raised the funds it will take approximately one month for the work to be completed. The Club’s goal is to have the project completed by Memorial Day of 2021. However, this would require a commitment of funds by the end of April. Updates to the project timeline and fundraising progress will be posted periodically on the club’s website.
Recently the DeKalb American Legion donated $1,000.00 to the DeKalb Rotary Club for the restoration of the Clock.
Donations can be made online through the club’s website here. You can also mail a check to DeKalb Rotary, 829 Woodlawn Drive, DeKalb, IL 60115. Please make checks payable to the DeKalb Rotary Charitable Impact Fund. Donations are tax-deductible.
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