For 10 years now, the Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown, or the 444 club has been meeting weekly.
While two other Rotary Clubs exist in town, the Downtown club formed as a means to offer more service opportunities in our tightknit community.
“They see a need, with a group that they’re involved with a not for profit, a church, a school, and they bring to the whole group an idea and say ‘here’s something that needs to be done let’s find a way to fund it, let’s find a way to get it done,’” said Chuck Corrigan, Past President and Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown.
And a third club makes Rotary more accessible to those in the community, meeting every Wednesday at 4:44 p.m. to cater to those just getting off work, but also allow some time for socialization before they get down to business.
Over the years the group has sponsored 36 college scholarships to single parents returning back to school and presented over 40 grants to local nonprofits. But by working with the other Rotary clubs they can accomplish even more.
“We have the power of using our foundation to do projects not only here but throughout the world. A lot of clubs in this area, the noon club in Naperville, for example does tremendous projects in Africa and Central America,” added Corrigan.
As they look ahead to the next ten years, the Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown looks forward to addressing even more unmet needs in our area.
“We’re just trying to spread the word and get more people involved and hopefully they see this as an opportunity to do good in their community,” said Corrigan.
This year is also the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation.
Naperville News 17’s Alyssa Bochenek reports.
