Nonprofit groups in Rockton and Roscoe making plans for 2023

Nonprofit groups and organizations in Rockton and Roscoe are making plans for the return of popular events in 2023.

The Rockton Lions Club works year round to give back to the communities they serve. Lions Clubs live by the motto, “We Serve.” Rockton Lions Club started in 1938. Every year they work to keep this mission strong through different events and fundraisers, each set up to support others.

Old Settlers Days is a popular place to be in June and a committee of Lions is already in the planning stage of this year's event.

Candy Day is another way that Lions volunteers collect money to be used and shared.

Currently Rockton Lions and other clubs are selling roses as a charity fundraiser with a focus on sight and hearing issues and community betterment. Order today to brighten a loved one's day with roses arriving at their door, with a delivery date set for April 1. The cost is $20 a dozen. Roses can be purchased directly from a Rockton Lions Club member or bought online. Buying online adds a .75/dozen fee for credit cards.

Every December the club carries on the tradition once started by the former officer Everett “Wimpy” Vaughan. Money raised from the Wimpy Fund auction or donated is used to help more than 100 families in Rockton, Roscoe, Shirland, South Beloit and Harrison. All names of families are found by reaching out to the local school districts.

To assure a brighter Christmas season, each receives food, toys and Christmas gifts from the Rockton Lions Club.

These are just a few areas where the Rockton Lions Club shines. At the 2023 Stateline Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala, the Rockton Lions Club was a finalist for the Community Service award. This nomination was well earned and deserved!

In Roscoe, Lions members are the face behind the Roscoe Fall Festival. Like the club in Rockton, they also raise funds through Rose Days.

Both Lions Clubs collect used eyeglasses year round, both in Rockton and Roscoe.

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Hononegah Woman's Club (HWC) was founded in 1964 and focuses on philanthropic actions through various forms of outreach. Education is an integral part of the club as they give scholarships or camperships every year - especially in the areas of the arts, leadership roles, music and specialized studies.

Hononegah Woman's Club began the new year with a meeting followed by fun rounds of Bunco.

On February 23, members and guests are meeting at Your CBD Store in Roscoe, in the Schnucks shopping plaza at 6:30 p.m.

HWC is seeking new members to welcome to have fun while also making a difference. The club meets once a month, typically on the fourth Thursday, with some exception for holiday months. Dues are $25 annually.

The rich history of the Village of Rockton is kept alive through the efforts of nonprofits such as Macktown Living History and Rockton Township Historical Society (RTHS).

Macktown Living History is the site of Winnebago County's earliest settlement and the home of Stephen Mack and Hononegah. Located in Macktown Forest Preserve west of downtown Rockton, it offers large historical reenactments, such as Frenchmen's Frolic, and hands-on opportunities with Sunday events. On Feb. 12, you can try out an old style musical instrument and learn to play a simple tune from the 1840's.

Rockton Township Historical Society hosts monthly events accompanied by always interesting presentations. The Carriage House Museum is full of memorabilia and is the perfect place to seek out historical facts. They are open for tours during specific times. Check their website or Facebook pages to keep up with upcoming programs.

Both organizations work well together as they did during last year's Mack Family Reunion. Hopes are that this special event makes a return sometime this summer.

Last year RTHS celebrated their 75th anniversary along with Rockton Woman's Club who hit another milestone - 125 years in existence.

The Roscoe Township Historical Society is busy raising money to restore the Cross Homestead on Hononegah Road, where the family of Roscoe's first permanent settler lived. Though the Township's Community Center is being built next to it, the historical building is being restored purely from donations, without taxpayer funds.

Rockton Woman's Club members meet for lunch at a local restaurant and discuss local happenings in place of monthly meetings. Dues are paid that help go toward philanthropic action.

Rockton Woman's Club gives back annually as they donate a book to the Talcott Library on behalf of the club. They also donate to at least two entities in the Rockton area. The club has regularly donated in the last couple of years to "Vets Roll" and the Old Stone Church food pantry.

“We feel these groups serve and provide honorably to the residents of the community, Rockton Woman's Club,” President Jerri Noller said.

She adds, “I feel our 125th anniversary celebration was very successful and appreciate the support of the community the day of our celebration. It is a wonderful accomplishment to have been an active club for more than 125 years.”

There are eight members who are 90 plus years old and attend monthly luncheons.

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The Stateline Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to a Business After hours event on Thursday, Feb, 16 from 5:30-7:30 at the Chamber office at 5386 Williams Drive in Roscoe. This is a great opportunity to network while enjoying refreshments and beverages.

The Stateline Business Expo is coming back to the Hononegah High School field house. Mark your calendars now to see the best businesses and non-profit organizations have to offer on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25.

On Feb. 16, elev815, an nonprofit organization of volunteers committed to supporting our businesses, our youth and our communities, is hosting a Lunch and Learn with Karen Radtke of Integral Health Solutions in honor of Heart Health Month. Karen will share about 3 Common Myths About Heart Disease.

The main project of elev815 is to offer scholarships - more than a dozen each year and growing - to local high school students.

The Rockton American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Post #332 works tirelessly to support all veterans. They provide nursing scholarships to high school students who have plans to go into the profession.

This year they are hosting a craft and vendor fair at the American Center (American Legion) on April 30, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Vendors are needed; with only one of each type being accepted. To sign up,  contact co-chair Nicole Walker at Nicolewalkers23@gmail.com. If reserving a space before March 2, the cost to participate is $25 for a space. After that date, the cost from March 2 to April 21 is $30. It is requested that each crafter or vendor please also donate a raffle item or a gift basket to add to the fun of the overall event.

Funds raised from the event will be used toward helping to carry on the Legion's mission.

The Live R.E.A.L. Foundation, based in Roscoe, provides advocacy to fight against the stigma of mental illnesses and substance use dependency, awareness of the dangers of the new millennial drugs, education on opioids, overdoses & naloxone and support for those left behind from substance use or mental illness deaths.

Throughout the year upcoming events are certain to keep everyone moving in the Stateline! Things are off to an excellent start!

More News from Roscoe

• Controlled prairie burn near Willowbrook Middle School South Beloit and Boone County Fire departments staged a prescribed burn at Birds Grove Prairie.
• Death notices for the Stateline: 4/22/2024 We remember those who are no longer with us in Roscoe, Rockton, and South Beloit.