Dads of Steele is now a 501(c)3 non-profit with the motto “Committed, Connected, Courageous”. They have grown to 6000 followers on Instagram and they have a podcast.

Grieving dads find them via postcards at hospitals, word-of-mouth and Google searches. They offer various opportunities for grieving dads to find support, such as a support group phone call every Sunday morning. Their events have included a 3- on-3 basketball tourney, Christmas Karaoke, and organizing to send pencils to Kenya.

Their website is dadsofsteele.org 

• Advocate Charitable Foundation
• Brendan's Smile Foundation
• Catholic Charities
• Community Adult Day Center
• DuPage Habitat For Humanity
• Family Shelter Service
• FISH Food Pantry
• From Walls to Wages
• grit2
• Hope's Front Door
• Navigate Adolescence
• Sharing Connections
• The Backpack Project
• Watts of Love

On December 1st, we had a scavenger hunt to collect items for Family Shelter Service.

With the $22,000 we presented to the non-profits for Rotary GroveFest and the community grants we have awarded since July 1st, we have given $35,500 back to our community!  Great job fellow Rotarians!

I look forward to celebrating with you at our holiday party on December 12th.


 

Thank you Slav Polinski for the great pictures, more of which are on our FaceBook page. And thank you to The Baked Apple for their very generous donation of 45 pounds of bacon which helped in serving a total of 4500 pieces of bacon!

Our Rotary theme this year is Imagine Rotary.  The focus is on advancing commitment to DEI, creating a welcoming club experience, expanding service projects and empowering girls (60 million girls are still denied an education throughout the world),

Locally, District 6450 goals are retaining members, growing Rotaract clubs, reaching out to young people, supporting mental health initiatives, showcasing Rotary and supporting DEI initiatives.

Started in 1987 when the founder visiting Brazil saw first-hand how local, well-qualified doctors and staff did not have supplies and equipment to do their work.  From a garage in Denver, Project C.U.R.E has grown to deliver three to five semi-truck-sized ocean containers weekly.  In addition to support Ukraine, they have delivered 66 air shipments and 109 C.U.R.E. kits.  Each kit contains $2,000 worth of medical supplies. 

Project C.U.R.E.'s greatest needs are volunteers, supplies and equipment and shipping.  Just this week volunteers are needed to sort through 70 pallets of donated equipment and supplies in Woodridge.  

Lois presented the “A, B, C’s of Downers Grove History Facts and Trivia” which went through each letter of the alphabet and gave highlights of the founder, event or place associated with that letter.  Much of the DG history is tied to Native Americans and many familiar names - Blodgett, Carpenter, Pierce Downer, Blanchard, Rogers, Stanley - were part of the alphabet - see attached.

The DG Historical Society is adding new lighting to the Main Street Cemetery.  Events they have throughout the year include: Founders Day, Golf Outing, Living Cemetery, Educational Events, Tivoli Tour, History on Tap and Recognition Programs.  They are documenting information from anyone who has history/information on Downers Grove.  If you know of someone they should talk to, please let them know.

Donna Foyle left her school secretary role and joined Serenity House 18 years ago when her son had addiction issues in high school.  Co-speaker Jarrett Burton is 4yrs recovered from a 10yr history of drug and alcohol abuse.  Donna and Jarrett told powerful, positive stories of the recovery homes and the level of care individuals receive to overcome their addictions.  Donna and Jarret offered our club to visit anytime to see the "Hope and Miracles" that come from living sober and drug-free.

1) Reduce Access to Drugs;  2) Reduce Opiod Use and Misue;  3) Increase Overdose Response;  4) Integrated Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery;  5) Substance Use and Prevention.  It is expected that drug companies will provide $10M in funding over the next 3yrs to support DuPage County action.  

Tragically, Dr. Lanny Wilson lost his daughter in 1994 at a railroad crossing.  The group he started from this led to other roles with the county health department leading to his current position.  Dr. Lanny Wilson is a retired ob/gyn doctor and we learned that he delivered babies for several members and relatives.  In retirement he joined the Hinsdale Rotary Club and has a farm in Kentucky, where he grew up.

David kept trusting his gut.  Continuing to bet on himself, as he had to roll through the changes of playing option QB at Downers Grove North High School, being recruited as a tight end for University of Wisconsin, moving to the offensive line, battling through injuries after staying an extra year at Wisconsin, which affected his draft status. 

David was drafted in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 and has now started in 41 games, including the Super Bowl victory this year!  David's humble personality and thoughtful answers to our questions impressed everyone.

Family is very important to David.  He is married to Caroline, also from Downers Grove, and they have an 18-month-old and an 8-week-old baby.  In town to see their parents and attend a family wedding, David's focus is on living in the present and continuing the Edwards family tradition of pride in family.  Thank you, David for taking time in your precious offseason to speak to our club!
 

Their work has spread across the country with backpacks being delivered in California, Florida and cities throughout the midwest.  Locally, The Backpack project helped in Woodridge in the aftermath of the 2021 EF-3 Tornado, they are working with DuPagePads at their new facility on Butterfield, and every police car in Woodridge carries backpacks to hand out to people in need.  Ryan's story is amazing how one person can be a catalyst for change!
Ryan Gustis is pictured with our treasurer, Heath Mielke, and the contents of a backpack.