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Rotary Club of Glen Ellyn


The History of the Glen Ellyn Rotary:

Over the past 50 years, the Glen Ellyn Club has held noontime meetings at several locations. It now meets every Thursday at 12:15 p.m. at locations including Barone's restaurant and the Glen Oak Country Club.

The Rotary Club of Glen Ellyn was sponsored by the Oak Park Rotary Club and chartered in 1943. After several years, the Rotary Club of Glen Ellyn sponsored the West Chicago club in 1954 and the Wheaton Club in 1957.

Although Rotary has participated in many civic endeavors over the years, the Club is best recognized as a major funder of College and Vocational Scholarships since 1965. The Club has assisted over 170 students by spending $200,000 in the past 30+ years. In 1999, in conjunction with James E. Pehta, the club began offering the Hesterman Entrepreneurial Scholarship.

Recent local projects include work on refurbishing Family Service Shelter and the construction of the Gazebo  in Prairie Path Park. International Projects include humanitarian efforts in Peru, ambulances for Cuajimalpa, Mexico, vocational scholarships for 18 youths in Palo Alto, Mexico and participation with Rotary International in the effort to eradicate polio throughout the world. Through this last effort, 144 countries are now polio-free.

The history of our Club would not be complete without mentioning the many pleasant events enjoyed by members and their spouses. Some of these events include the Annual Installation and Recognition Dinner, Bulls and Cougars games, Golf Outing, Steak Fry, and Wine and Cheese Party.