Rotary Club of Springfield IL Sunrise

07/25/2026

The Illinois State Fair kicks off on Aug 13 through Aug 23, 2026.

When you come to the Fair, we hope that you'll park with Sunrise Rotary. All profits go to projects that help provide opportunities for great kids in the Springfield area.

Our lot is conveniently located on Peoria Rd, south of Walgreens and United Community Bank, near Gate 2 at Sangamon Ave. Friendly Sunrise Rotarians and trained volunteers are there every day, from 9 am to dusk during the fair and can find you a spot. Our prices are always competitive with the lots in our area. We've been doing this for over 15 years and this is one of our biggest local endeavors to raise money for local kids.

We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to visiting with you at our lot.

07/15/2026

Our speaker today was lifelong resident and longtime business owner/Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter. Brian Barstead introduced Andy as an old friend and classmate at Franklin Middle and Springfield High School. Andy spoke about the overall age demographic trends of our County and the need to attract opportunities for young people to stay and prosper here. He reviewed the projects to finish the transportation hub downtown, add more hotel and convention space and the potential for the data center being developed in Sangamon County.
Brian thanked Andy for his long time support and leadership in the community, as an international business owner and local leader; and also for influencing his own motivation and ability to pursue a life of service. For those reasons, Brian personally honored Andy as a Paul Harris Fellow- the 5,157th in West Central Illinois history and the 78th from Rotary Sunrise.

Fellow SHS Class of ‘76 Alumnus, and friend- also a Paul Harris Fellow- Tim Schweizer joined in for the meeting today. Old Solons renewing friendships. Andy and Tim are currently not technically Rotarians, but they have Service above Self in their hearts and deeds and are friends of Rotary.

07/03/2026

Happy July!

07/01/2026

Rotary’s Youth Exchange program is world famous, promoting peace by immersing high school students from many countries for a full year of study, staying with host families and experiencing other cultures. Through this program, we build world peace and understanding, one youngster/future leader at a time. https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/youth-exchanges.

Today, we heard from two of Springfield’s outbounds getting ready for their journeys to meet new friends and join with new families.
- Thien - a Springfield Southeast High student- sponsored by Rotary Sunrise is heading for his experience in the Philippines🇵🇭
- Juliana - a Springfield High student - sponsored by Springfield South Rotary will be going to Germany. 🇩🇪

God Speed and best wishes to both of you and we look forward to hearing all about your experiences! May Peace Prevail on Earth.

06/10/2026

Here are our new Club branded playing cards. The photo used in our Club’s logo is an actual unretouched picture taken on a beautiful morning a few years ago with Brian Barstead’s iPhone from our meeting room window at the Hoogland CFA, when the sun was just rising and happened to cast a golden ray, just at the right angle for the image of our beautiful Capitol. I don’t believe there has been a more beautiful morning moment since.
Come visit our club and maybe you’ll get a deck of Sunrise cards while supplies last!

06/10/2026

04/20/2026

The Rotary Clubs of Springfield have partnered with Compass for Kids to power programs which help our youngsters in Central Illinois. Compass is raising money this week and contributions will be matched by local donors, tripling your impact. Go to compassforkids.org for more information.

https://www.compassforkids.org/match-2026/

Campaign Dates: April 20 - 24, 2026 The Compass for Kids Match Campaign is LIVE!

04/06/2026

Springfield Sunrise Rotary members donated and collected linens for families at MERCY Communities
Members from Sunrise donated linens, in March, to help MERCY Communities which supports families in need by providing units of housing for families with children. You can donate in season clothing, bedding and towels, toilet paper, paper towels and cleaning supplies by calling MERCY at 217-753-1358.
L to R Amy Voils from MERCY and Sunrise Rotary Immediate past President Jill Moorhead

03/22/2026

Coffee, the official drink of morning Rotary Clubs, everywhere.