About :

The Rotary Club of Loves Park Illinois held its Charter Night on April 11, 1967 at the Forest Hills Country Club and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Rockford. There were 26 charter members, and as of January 2006, Rev. Don Lyon is the only remaining charter member. An original copy of the Charter Night program was placed the time capsule at Loves Park City Hall and will be opened in November 2023.

The club first held it's meetings at the Lake View Supper Club at Windsor Lake. Over the years, the club has held its meetings at various locations in Loves Park, including various restaurants such as the old Mayflower. Other locations have included Bethany Presbyterian Church and what is now the Clayton House motel. Since about 1990, the club has met at the Loves Park City Civic Center (City Hall).

Since 1983, the primary fundraising focus of the club has been an annual fruit sale. Every year before the holidays, members of the club take orders for oranges and grapefruit which are then personally delivered the week before Christmas. In 1983, the sale netted a profit of $2197.00. Profits in recent years have exceeded $10,000.00 and are used to support the Rotary Youth Exchange, the Rotary Foundation, and various community charitable organizations.

The Loves Park Club has been at the forefront of leadership in the District. Three members have served as District Governors: Stu Smith 94-95, Mel Sparlin 98-99, and Anita Papich 05-06. The club has also had many members serve as chairman of a number of District Committees, including the Youth Exchange Committee, the RYLA Committee, the Interact Committee, and the District committee for World Community Service and Club Extension.