Rotary Club of Vandalia IL - 3295

11/04/2026

See you on Tuesday! 🩸

10/28/2026

Rotarian Kevin Childers presented the program at the Vandalia Rotary Club’s October 27 meeting, sharing a personal look at history through the experiences of his grandfather, Orel Turner.

Childers recounted his grandfather’s journey from a young college student in 1916 to being drafted into the Army during World War I. Turner was preparing to enter the front lines when the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. Childers also discussed the Spanish flu pandemic and the hardships his grandfather faced upon returning home, including the loss of his father and the family farm.

Although Turner never achieved his dream of graduating from college, his dedication and sacrifices helped future generations accomplish that goal. Childers concluded with a lighthearted history quiz, reminding Rotarians that ordinary people and their personal stories are an important part of history

10/23/2026

Vandalia Rotary Club member Shane Bowen presented the program at the club’s October 20 meeting, sharing his knowledge and experience in land surveying.

Bowen discussed the history of surveying, explaining how early surveyors used measuring rods and chains to establish property boundaries and divide land into townships and sections. He also explained how legal property descriptions and parcel numbers are used to identify land today.

Throughout the presentation, Bowen shared interesting connections to Vandalia's history, including how early surveying influenced the layout of local streets, property lines and the original town squares. He also discussed the importance of accurate surveys when purchasing property, building structures or determining property boundaries.

The program gave Rotarians a better understanding of the history, mathematics and precision involved in land surveying and its lasting impact on the community.

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

Rotary Blood Drive
It’s less than a month until the next Rotary Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday November 10th. The bottom line is that our community and our country need more donors!
As more and more donors age out due to various health reasons, they are not being replaced by the number of young, healthy donors that are needed to keep number up. At the same time, there is more and more need, more people, and more surgeries taking place that need to have a ready supply of blood products.
For many years, the number of donors has been steadily decreasing to the point where blood supplies are often critically short. The blood donation is usually quick and quite relatively painless…usually just that one stick to get the blood flowing. Five minutes or so later…you are done! Refreshments are served and sometimes there are giveaways for donors. But more importantly…BLOOD SAVES LIVES!
Be a part of saving lives by coming out to donate blood on Tuesday November 10th at the Vandalia Moose Lodge between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm. You will be glad you did! And so will the lucky recipient of your blood!
If you have a mobile phone, you can download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app to your phone. Not only will it provide an easy place to make your appointment, but it will also tell remind you of your blood type, and how many units you have donated on an ongoing basis, but it will also show you your Blood Journey, from donation to processing to ultimately where your blood was sent. Kind of a neat thing. Download the app, make your appointment, and get on down to the next Blood Drive on November 10th…especially all you younger people!
At the last Rotary Red Cross Blood Drive on September 8th, the total units received was only 59 units, one of the lowest totals in recent memory. With your help we can save even more lives.

10/13/2026

Vandalia Rotary Club welcomed Rotary District 6490 Governor Deb West as its guest speaker on October 13.

West shared her goals for the Rotary year, centered around the theme “Create Lasting Impact.” She encouraged members to continue making a difference through meaningful service projects, community partnerships and membership growth. West also recognized Vandalia Rotary's community involvement, including its Christmas parade, dictionary program and support of the local food pantry.

West highlighted several district initiatives, including efforts to eradicate polio, the Shoes for Orphan Souls project and upcoming Rotary events. She concluded by sharing a personal story about her time in her high school marching band, emphasizing that just as every member was needed to make the band successful, every Rotarian plays an important role in serving their community.

10/06/2026

Vandalia Rotary Club welcomed Kaskaskia College President George Evans as its guest speaker on October 6. Evans was invited by Rotarian Ty Bates.

Evans shared several exciting updates from Kaskaskia College, including strong enrollment, expanded opportunities for high school students and the college’s continued focus on providing an affordable education. He noted that 67% of KC graduates last year left the college with no student debt.

Evans also discussed KC’s growing partnerships and investments in workforce education, including a $6 million grant toward a new manufacturing academy. The planned facility will expand training opportunities in areas such as welding, HVAC, industrial technology, machining and automation. He emphasized the important role community colleges play in preparing students for local careers while supporting the workforce and economic development of the communities they serve.

10/02/2026

Rotarian Aaron Alderson presented the program at the Vandalia Rotary Club’s September 29 meeting, reflecting on the September 11 attacks 25 years later and their lasting impact on the country.

Alderson discussed the tremendous loss within the financial services industry, as well as the economic effects that followed the attacks. He also shared how September 11 impacted air travel closer to home, including changes at St. Louis Lambert International Airport and the decline in passenger traffic that followed.

The program also included discussion of the flights involved that day, stories of survival and sacrifice, and the importance of continuing to remember the events of September 11 and those whose lives were forever changed.

10/01/2026

🎄 Rotary Christmas Parade Registration
https://app.seemylegacy.com/community/2808/campaign/10671/overview

Be part of the excitement of the Olde Tyme Christmas Rotary Christmas Parade sponsored by the Rotary Club of Vandalia IL - 3295 and help bring this year’s theme, Stars, Stripes & Holiday Lights, to life! ❤️🤍💙✨

We’re inviting businesses, community organizations, churches, schools, youth groups, and families to enter a float or walking group, and marching bands to join the parade and add their creativity to this special holiday tradition.

Participants are encouraged to embrace Stars, Stripes & Holiday Lights in their entries. Think twinkling lights, stars, patriotic touches, red, white and blue Christmas décor, or your own creative interpretation of the theme. Whether you go all-out or keep it simple, every entry helps fill the parade with color, community spirit, and Christmas cheer!

Registration Categories: Float Entry; Walking Group Entry; and Marching Band Entry.

🏆 Parade Prizes:

Float & Walking entries: 1st Place – $200 and 2nd Place – $100.

Marching bands will compete within two group classifications:

1st Place – $300

2nd Place – $150

The Parade will begin immediately after the Tree Lighting ceremony (approximately 5:35 p.m.) The parade route begins at the corner of Gallatin and Seventh Streets, travels East on Gallatin Street then South on Fourth Street. Line-up starts at the corner of Gallatin & Eighth Streets. Parking is available at the Fayette County Courthouse parking lot as well as along the streets near the Courthouse.

✨ Light it up. Deck it out. Make it your own!

Register your entry today and help us create a memorable Olde Tyme Christmas Rotary Christmas Parade filled with holiday lights, hometown pride, creativity, and Christmas spirit! 🎄⭐❤️🤍💙

09/23/2026

Vandalia Rotary Club took a field trip to Vandalia Bowl for its September 15 program, organized by Rotarian Marina Worman.

Tony and Debbie Richardson welcomed Rotarians for a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of the bowling alley. Members learned about the engineering and equipment used to reset bowling pins and got an inside look at Tony’s custom process for drilling bowling balls.

The Richardsons also explained the science behind maintaining the lanes, including how different waxing patterns and techniques can dramatically change the way a bowling ball travels down the lane. The tour gave Rotarians a new appreciation for the skill, technology and precision that go into the sport of bowling.