Rotary Club of Charleston, IL

06/17/2026

Congratulations to Alice Shonk for recognition as Charleston Rotary's Rock Solid Rotarian for the 2025-26 club year! The Rock Solid Rotarian Award recognizes a member who stands out for their club and community service, with the award presented by the previous year's recipient (Todd Vilardo). Highlights of Alice's service include her dedication as Club Treasurer, a role she has performed with distinction and enthusiasm since 2011. Among other service impacts, Alice also has been a key contributor to the success of the "plastic bottle caps to park benches" project through transporting the large volume of bagged bottle caps to the recycling firm in Evansville, Indiana and returning with benches to be placed at sites such as Fox Ridge State Park.

06/09/2026

Charleston Rotary Club recently heard from one of its members, Kristen Bertrand, on the important work done by the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation. Kristen serves as a Program Officer for the foundation, which works with volunteers and donors throughout the region to support charitable investments in their communities. One of their important activities is administration of a wide range of scholarship funds, and Kristen spoke on the impact these funds have made in helping students financially with their college and professional education plans. She feels blessed to be part of such a public interested organization.

06/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18mrN9RQA3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Sit a Spell with GPF Staff Alissa on Warbler Ridge's New Bench made of recycled bottle caps! Thanks to Rotary Club of Charleston, IL the south field bat habitat area of Warbler Bottoms (550N. accessed via Bypass Rd) now has a rest stop.

Rotary has recycled more than 600 pounds of plastic bottle caps and turned them into multiple sturdy benches for outdoor use that are located throughout Charleston, Thank you Club of Charleston, IL .

06/01/2026

Have you joined any Rotary Fellowship groups? They are a way to connect with Rotarians across the world who have common interests. A good way to promote international friendships…or maybe even meet a new neighbor! Check them out here:

https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/more-fellowships

06/01/2026

Charleston Rotary recently heard from representatives of the Americorps (National Civilian Community Corp) team on their time in Coles County during the last month. The team member representatives were introduced by Kent Macy of the Embarras Volunteer Stewards, which worked with a mix of area nonprofits and local governments that partnered on the application to bring them to Coles County. During their time here (April 23 to May 30), their work included removal of invasive plants, trails maintenance and park landscaping along with help with major nonprofit events and activities. Kent Macy was particularly appreciative of their impact on eradicating invasives such as bush honeysuckle, garlic mustard and burning bush/winged wahoo.

05/26/2026

Memorial Day on May 25th included the first stage of the 2026 edition of Charleston Rotary's Fly the Flag subscription-based fundraiser project. Fly the Flag project coordinator Doug Abolt is shown with his team's last flag of the day to be taken down prior to sunset. Our next patriotic holiday for flag installations will be Flag Day on June 14th.

05/20/2026

Charleston Rotary's May 19th meeting featured the recognition of the 2026 Jefferson Student Leadership Award recipients. The awards recognize Fourth, Fifth and Sixth grade students (two per class) who stand out on a range of student leadership qualities. They're first nominated by their teachers and then selected by a committee of Jefferson Elementary School staff and Rotary Club members. Congratulations to Carissa Hughes and Rowdy Walker (4th Grade); Josie Van Loenen and Vincent Taylor (5th Grade); and Audrey Morgan and Brandon Johnson (6th Grade)!

05/15/2026

A reel from the EIU International Program about today’s rooftop tour of Old Main.

05/15/2026

Rotarians and EIU International students were treated to a tour of Old Main by Mark Hudson. What a view of Charleston (and our newly installed Peace Pole) from the top!

05/15/2026

Throwback Thursday!