Rock Island Rotary is a leader in advancing the Rock Island community and coming to the aid of those in need. Club members work to raise money, donate, and volunteer for various efforts to help our local community.
“Service Above Self” is the motto of Rotary, and in that spirit, Rock Island Rotarians step up whenever the need arises. We have planted trees, built flower and herb barrels, built and maintained Little Libraries, hosted blood drives, raised money for disaster relief, funded RYLA leadership camp for students, built Trykes that create mobility and independence for kids with disabilities, annually hosted a foreign exchange son or daughter, and supported one or more local students as exchange students to other countries. We have donated winter coats to the needy and made warm winter scarves and blankets for children, collected food for the hungry, and much more!
Here are a few of our many local projects:
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Adopted School - Earl Hanson Elementary
We host a monthly “Birthday Books” party and present new books to Earl Hanson students having a birthday that month. We also host an annual “Pumpkin Palooza” fieldtrip for all 1st and 2nd graders to a local pumpkin patch and do an Angel Tree for students in need each Christmas season. We help with numerous PTO projects throughout the school year.
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Food Pantry
Thursday evenings Rock Island Rotary members volunteer at the Heart of Hope Food Pantry in Rock Island. We assist in the selection and bagging of food items distributed to those in need. We also provided funding for a new service shed and weekly gather gently used grocery bags and deliver them to Heart of Hope.
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Bell Ringing
Each year during the holiday season, Rock Island Rotary provides volunteers to staff the Salvation Army Bell Ringing sites at the Rock Island Hybee grocery store.
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Community Grants
Our Community Grants Committee solicits and screens requests for suppor from dozens of local non-profit organizations. The committee annually distributes thousands of dollars in donations, typically in increments of $500 - $1500 to ensure we help as many organizations as possible. Annually, these grants total $20,000!
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Club Foundation Grants
Provided by our local Club Foundation, substantial grants of more than $10,000 are given annually to projects aimed at improving the lives of Rock Island citizens. These grants have a major impact on our community.
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Reindeer Ramble 5K
The Rock Island Rotary Reindeer Ramble is an annual holiday-themed 5K run and competitive walk hosted by the Rotary Club of Rock Island that brings runners, walkers, families, and community members together for a fun, festive event while supporting Rotary's charitable initiatives.
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Fred Houlton Service Above Self Scholarship
New in 2021, a $1000 annual scholarship is administered through the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation. This scholarship is awarded to a Rock Island High School senior who demonstrates service and exhibits how the Rotary Four Way Test has impacted their life. It is named in honor of long-time educator, club member, and former District Governor, Fred Houlton.
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Mary L. Fislar Scholarship
New in 2024, a $1000 annual scholarship, administered by our club, awards an Illinois Quad City area High School senior who demonstrates leadership, character, and a dedication to serving others. It is named in memory and honor of long-time club member and leader, Mary Fislar.
Rock Island Rotary Peace Poles
The Rotary Club of Rock Island dedicated five Peace Poles across Rock Island, Illinois, on June 17, 2025, featuring the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in eight different languages. Each pole serves as a symbol of global harmony and local community connection, and is part of the international Rotary World Peace Pole initiative promoting goodwill and a culture of peace.
They are located at:
Quad City Botanical Center
Rock Island High School
Rock Island Public Library (Downtown Branch)
Friendship Manor
Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center
