Fundraiser sold out, but you can still help
While most fundraisers need a push to provide a full house, the Schaumburg-Hoffman Rotary Club's "Classic $10,000" dinner dance has reached its capacity and is poised to raise $120,000.
Rotary organizers, however, are not content to sit back and revel at a capacity crowd with 400 guests, who will dine on gourmet choices and dance late into the night Saturday at the Schaumburg Marriott.
They realize they can't accept any more reservations to the dinner itself, but, efficient fund-raisers that they are, they see further ways to reach their monetary goal.
They welcome the opportunity to let you know that you have until noon Saturday to purchase a $100 raffle ticket that might cash in for $10,000, $2,000, $1,000 or two $500 prizes. A few flips of the fingertips on the computer keys will allow benefactors to purchase a ticket online at rotarysweepstakes.com.
Julie Clark, fundraising director of the Rotary, says there is much to accomplish.
"Our goal is to reach $120,000 to continue with our community and international projects, as well as our $25,000 scholarships we give every year," Clark said.
Clark and Bill Kelley are event co-chairs, sharing duties with chairman Jeff Milstein.
Clark, who is the Rotary's liaison on the Alexian Foundation Board, points out that the Schaumburg-Hoffman Rotary pledged $50,000 to the Alexian Brothers Health Network each year for the next five years. The proceeds of this year's dinner and raffle are expected to reach that mark, and provide for the other recipients as well.
The structure, to be constructed on the campus of St. Alexius Hospital in Hoffman Estates, will be named the Alexian Brothers Children's Hospital and provide "a medical home for area children and offer pediatric specialists in a superior facility," according to the hospital's Web site. Construction will begin when three quarters of the campaign goals are realized, perhaps as early as 2009.
Rotarians work to eliminate poverty, are involved in environmental conservation, desire food, security, health care and education for all, and aim for peace and conflict resolutions.
"As you can see, we have a lot of big plans for the year," Clark said, "and we just completed an international matching grant to provide water filters for 1,000 families in Guatemala. It is a project that includes other clubs in our district."
Clark relates that her fellow Rotarians have no doubts they will reach the $120,000 goal at the fundraiser. She says all members are optimistic.
"We are extremely excited about this new project, and we are working diligently to meet our goals," Clark said.