Club Service Activities
Our club is proud to share how we've been helping our community!
 
1. Provided more than $8,000 in grant money in support to children, youth and families in DeKalb County to local non-profits such as Brightpoint and Rooted for Good with receipts from the Taste of DeKalb event.
2. Awarded scholarships to three KEC and Sycamore HS students with help from the Kunes Family Foundation.  
3. Donated $2,075 and more than $650 in new toys to the Salvation Army for use in Christmas support of local families.
4. Assisted with the Feed My Starving Children food-packaging event.
5. Adopted a family through the Family Service Agency and purchased Christmas gifts for their children.
6. Staffed a day for the Salvation Army bell ringing station at HyVee.
7. Delivered Meals on Wheels for a month in cooperation with VAC
8. Contributed 50 lbs of food per Club member to the Salvation Army in its Let’s Talk Turkey and Freezing for Food drives.
9. Participated in the Dekalb County Adopt-a-Highway program.
10. Raised $2,500 dollars in the PolioPlus Auction for Rotary International.
11. Helped the DeKalb Club expand the pollinator site at Rotary Park in DeKalb.
 
 
 
 
WELCOME!!
Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club
Kishwaukee Sunrise DeKalb

Serve to Change Lives

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 7:00 AM
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
1957 DeKalb Avenue
Sycamore, IL 60178
United States of America
We meet every other Tuesday, starting June 9, 2026.
Kishwaukee Club News
Recently our club awarded a combined Rotary District grant and club community grant to Rooted for Good. Our Community Grant for Children, Youth and Families of DeKalb County (CYF Grant) is a competitive local grant for non-profits in the county who have programming aimed at helping children, youth and/or families. This annual effort aims to award up to $10,000 each year and this is our 10th award year. Since its inception, we've awarded over $74,000 into the local area.

This year, one of our grant winners was Rooted for Good. Unfortunately, we couldn't meet all of their requested needs so we submitted them for Rotary District grant to cover the difference and now we're proud to award them the entire $5,000 they requested to purchase gardening tools and supplies for their Kirkland garden site. Rooted for Good's mission is to empower people to access healthy, sustainably grown food and address the root causes of hunger. We're proud to partner with them in their work! Included is a photo of Rooted for Good Executive Director Heather Edwards accepting the award from our club president, Gip Seaver.
 
The club is proud to support a local sock drive which benefits patrons of Hope Haven, Safe Passages and the Rochelle Rescue Mission - it's called "Socktember"(!). Northern Rehab Physical Therapy Specialists is a local collection spot for this effort. We were excited to provide them with over 200 pairs of socks this week to kick off their collection efforts! Pictured below are club members with our sock donations on the table.
 
Our club is proud to announce the 10th Annual Taste of DeKalb event on September 27, 2026! As usual, we'll have food trucks, live bands and family activities. We'll be located at Van Buer Plaza in downtown DeKalb, right at the finish line of the Corn Classic 10K. The event will run from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Bring your family out for some fun and excitement at the Taste! Thanks to our event sponsors, proceeds will go towards the annual award for a Community Grant for Children, Youth and Families (CYF Grant) of DeKalb County. To date, we've donated over $75,000 to local non-profit organizations who directly impact the lives of children, youth and families in our community. WE'RE PROUD OF THAT! You can help keep our grant going by attending the Taste of DeKalb and/or being an event sponsor. See you in September!!
 
 
 
 
On July 7, 2026, we recognized club member Norman Walzer for earning "Major Donor" status through his generosity to the Rotary International Foundation. Over his 17+ years of membership, Norm has donated over $10,000 to earn Level 1 Major Donor honors. At our club meeting several members from District 6420 attended to award him a crystal recognition piece and a Major Donor lapel pin. The Rotary Foundation uses donations to fund both local and international efforts that align with the organization's goals. Norm becomes only the third member of our club to achieve this honor. Thanks for all you do for our club, our community and Rotary Internation, Norm!

Photos: (Above) Norman Walzer receiving a crystal recognition piece from Jim Stoddard, representing the District's Foundation Committee; (below) all of the Paul Harris Fellows in the club with the awardee.
 
 
The Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club is proud to announce the first of two awardees of our annual Community Grant for Children, Youth and Families (CYF Grant). Started in 2017, the CYF Grant was designed to award grant money to non-profits in the DeKalb County area who have a project aimed at helping children, youth and/or families. Each year the club hosts the "Taste of DeKalb" event in September to raise funds for the grant - always with the goal of raising $10,000. Most years that goal was achieved but this year we were able to award $8,000. Since its inception, our club has awarded over $74,000 to non-profits in DeKalb County!
 
We received many worthy applications and ultimately decided to make two awards. The first is to Brightpoint, a leading child and family services agency with efforts in 70 counties in Illinois. Our club awarded $5,194 to Brightpoint to help purchase needed materials for expecting or new mothers who need a hand - things like car seats, formula, pack and plays and breastfeeding supplies. With nearl 25% of children under the age of 5 in DeKalb County living in poverty, the impact will be substantial and timely.
 
The club is proud to partner with Brightpoint for this important work. We'll be announcing our second CYF Grant recipient soon!
 
Picture: Club President Gip Seaver presents Stacy Miro from Brightpoint with the "Giant Check".
The Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club is proud to announce that they will be offering up to $8,000 in a community grant this year. The grant is open to non-profit and governmental organizations with projects aimed at improving the lives of children, youth and/or families in DeKalb County. This is their eighth year providing the grant and local non-profits are encouraged to apply. The funds may be awarded as one large grant or divided among multiple applicants, as decided by the selection committee. The application is available on the club's website at www.kishwaukeerotary.com and by emailing kishwaukeesunriserotary@gmail.com. The application window is open from March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026. Over the past seven years, the Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club has awarded over $65,000 to local non-profit organizations in DeKalb County!
 
We are proud to announce that on December 6, 2025, the District Nomination Committee elected one of our own, Rudolf M. Sterkel, as District Governor Nominee Designate for Rotary District 6420. This marks a historic moment for Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary, as it will be the first time in our 34-year history that a member of our club has been selected to serve as District Governor.
 
Rudolf is scheduled to take office on July 1, 2028, serving during the 2028–2029 Rotary year.
 
Rotary District 6420 encompasses dozens of Rotary clubs across northern Illinois, supporting thousands of Rotarians who carry out service projects, youth programs, scholarships, and international initiatives. The District Governor plays a vital leadership role—supporting local clubs, helping guide strategic priorities, strengthening membership, and serving as the key link between local clubs and Rotary International.
 
Selection as District Governor reflects deep trust, proven leadership, and a long-term commitment to Rotary’s mission of service above self. For our club, this recognition highlights not only individual dedication, but also the strength and impact of Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary as a whole.
 
We are honored to be part of this milestone and look forward to supporting this journey in the years ahead.
 
Pictured above is the District 6420 leadership team (left to right): 
District Governor Nominee Dr. Kristoffer Tumilowicz
District Governor Melissa McCormick
District Governor Nominee Designate Rudolf M. Sterkel
District Governor Elect Tina Curtis

    

This past holiday season, our Rotary club was proud to turn service into action across DeKalb County. Through the generosity of our members and the strength of our partnerships, we were able to support neighbors near and far in meaningful ways.

We donated over $2,000 in cash and more than $700 in toys to the Salvation Army, helping ensure families had access to essential support and holiday joy. Our members also volunteered their time to ring the Salvation Army donation bell one weekend, engaging directly with the community while supporting this vital cause.

In addition, we sponsored a family of five through the DeKalb County Family Service Agency, providing holiday gifts for the children and helping make the season brighter for a local family.

Our service didn’t stop there. Leading up to the holidays, Rotarians rolled up their sleeves for a road cleanup project in DeKalb, helping keep our community clean and welcoming. We also volunteered at the Feed My Starving Children mobile pack in Sycamore, working side by side to help package meals for children facing food insecurity around the world in partnership with Feed My Starving Children.

These projects reflect what Rotary is all about: local service, global impact, and people who care enough to act. If you’re looking for a way to give back, build friendships, and be part of something that truly makes a difference, we’d love for you to consider joining us.

Service above self isn’t just a motto—it’s what we do.

You may be checking out this website because you're considering Rotary - GREAT! You've come to the right place. Below are 10 good reasons you should consider joining us.
 

Service Opportunities
Club members have many opportunities for humanitarian service, both locally and internationally. Service programs address such concerns as health care, hunger, poverty, illiteracy, and the environment. Rotarians experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back to the community. At Kishwaukee Sunrise, we endeavor to provide a $10,000 community grant EVERY YEAR. This money goes directly towards helping children, youth and families in DeKalb County. Internationally, we support the Jane Adeny Memorial School for girls in Kenya. We raised and donate funds for this because we know that educating young women is one way to bring prosperity and advancement to any community, region and country (and the world!).

Professional Networking
A founding principle of Rotary was to meet periodically to enjoy camaraderie and enlarge one’s circle of business, community and professional acquaintances. As the oldest service club in the world, Rotary club members represent a cross-section of the community’s owners, executives, managers, political leaders, and professionals – People who make decisions and influence policy. Our club members are invested in the community and are the type of people who can "get things done."

International Awareness
With more than 34,000 clubs in over 200 countries & geographical areas, Rotarians gain an understanding of humanitarian issues through international service projects and exchange programs. One of Rotary’s highest objectives is to build goodwill and peace throughout the world.

Friendship
Rotary was founded on fellowship, an ideal that remains a major attraction of membership today. Club members enjoy the camaraderie with like-minded professionals, and club projects offer additional opportunities to develop enduring friendships. Rotary club members who travel have friendly contacts in almost every city in the world. Have you ever met Diane Hammon? Join us for one meeting and you'll know what we mean by friendship.

Good Citizenship
Weekly Rotary club programs keep members informed about what is taking place in the community, nation, and world and motivated to make a difference. Each week we have a presenter, many of whom share news about relevant events and activities going on in our own back yard. 

Supporting the Development of Youth
Rotary sponsors one of the world’s largest youth exchange programs in the world. We also help run a leadership camp for high schoolers in our region every May. At our club, we additionally fund three scholarships for AMAZING students from DeKalb and Sycamore high schools and the Kishwaukee Education Consortium who have overcome incredible challenges and strive to build a new life for themselves through higher education.

Entertainment
Social activities give Rotarians a chance to let loose and have fun. Every Rotary club and district hosts parties and social activities that offer diversions from today’s demanding professional and personal schedules. Conferences, conventions, assemblies, and social events provide entertainment as well as Rotary information, education, and service.

Ethical Environment
Encouraging high ethical standards in one’s profession and respect for all worthy vocations has been a hallmark of Rotary from its earliest days. In their business and professional lives, Rotarians abide by The Four-Way Test:

Of the things we think, say or do:

1) Is it the TRUTH?

2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3) Will it BUILD GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Leadership Development
Rotary is an organization of successful professionals. Team building, fundraising, public speaking, planning, organization, and communication are just a sampling of the leadership skills that club members can exercise and enhance. Being a Rotary leader provides further experience in learning how to motivate, inspire, and guide others. Members can participate in the three day Rotary Leadership Institute courses offered at various times during the year.

Want to be a part of something like this? Join us any Tuesday morning at 7:00 am at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in conference room 4. Or, if you're not a morning person, the DeKalb club meets on Monday nights at 6:00 pm at the Ellwood House Museum and the Sycamore club meets every Wednesday for lunch (12:00 noon) at Blumen Gardens.

Club Executives & Directors
President
Immediate Past President
Treasurer
Secretary
Rotary Foundation
Sergeant at Arms
Public Image Chair
Grant Management Chair