Rotary Club of Loves Park
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Mailing Address Rotary Club of Loves Park P.O. Box 2118 Loves Park, IL 61130 Send e-mail to: info@lovesparkrotary.com |
The Rotary Club of Loves Park (Illinois) held its Charter Night on April 11, 1967, at the Forest Hills Country Club.
It was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Rockford. There were 26 charter members, and as of July 2007, Reverend Don Lyon is the only remaining charter member. An original copy of the Charter Night program
was placed in a time capsule at Loves Park City Hall, which will be opened in November 2023.
The Club first held its 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 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 Youth Exchange,
RYLA, Interact, and World Community Service and Club Extension.
