Dundee Rotary members throw parties, help the needy

Usually, things slow down for many groups during the holidays. Members traditionally have a party or two, and then they go their separate ways until after the first of the year.

This isn't the case, though for Dundee Township's Rotary Club.

From the beginning of fall until the end of the year, members are busy selling boxes of oranges and grapefruits, throwing Halloween and Christmas parties for local children and buying presents for needy families.

Take last week for example. Rotarians hosted their annual holiday party for 40 members of the Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township. Guests munched on treats, heard stories and received presents from Santa Claus. The 6- to 8-year-olds also played games and made crafts.

“It was a great event,” said Rotary President Gary Gundersen. “We have been doing this for years now; it's always a lot of fun.”

In the week before Christmas, members will adopt two needy families for the holidays. They will buy them the gifts this recession is keeping the parents from buying for their children.

The money for the gifts and the party was raised weeks ago during the club's annual citrus sale.

“That's our biggest fundraiser,” Gundersen said. “From the proceeds, we are able to plan the parties, sponsor the families and give out scholarships to area high school students who plan to go to college.”

The sale can net anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000. The parties don't cost nearly that much, but the amount of the scholarships add up quickly. They range from $1,000 to $2,500. The largest annual award is a $10,000 four-year scholarship.

“Education is important to Rotarians,” Gundersen said. “We've always been excited providing educational opportunities to people. We're investing in the future.”

Promoting community goodwill is also the foundation for the club's activities, he said. The 33 local Rotarians meet and work all year to ensure Dundee Township is a better place to live. Constantly, they are planning events for the entire community.

For more information about the Dundee Township Rotary Club, call Gunderson at (847) 888-4040.