Rockton Lions Club spread Christmas cheer to local families through Wimpy's Fund

Every year the Rockton Lions Club, with the help of numerous community supporters, bring Christmas cheer to local families assuring that they have a merry Christmas.

Money raised from the Wimpy’s Fund auction is used to help families who are less fortunate in Rockton, Roscoe, Shirland, South Beloit and Harrison. All names are referred by local schools, and are also verified. Items are based on a wish list provided by the parents.

This time-honored tradition is named after former Rockton police chief Everett Vaughan who served as chief from 1977-1981.

He was given the nickname Wimpy based on the cartoon character in a Popeye who walked the streets and carried a sandwich board.

As he was helping children cross the street, Chief Vaughn would notice that some of the children didn’t have gloves, hats and socks.

He went one step further and took the mothers of those families shopping to buy clothing, groceries and one gift for each child in need. His wife Betty provided Christmas dinner for the families. Over time they added toys into the mix.

Vaughn passed away in 1997 and his friend Jack Stewart took action in carrying on his legacy. Other Lions Club members have teamed up over the years to make the Christmas season special by carrying on this long time tradition.

As a result of the Wimpy's Fund Auction and other fundraising efforts, about 130 families, with a total of 328 children, received a dose of Christmas cheer in 2025.

Working with Rockton Lions delivery chair Tami Verstraete, numerous volunteers spend many hours preparing for the delivery of food, toys, clothing, gifts and toiletries.

This year Wimpy's helpers came from Apex General Contracting and Jim Stringham, South,Beloit Lions Club and Leo Club, and the Rockton Lions Club, who helped with every aspect, from buying gifts and wrapping to sorting to delivering gifts and food boxes to the families.

Rockton and Roscoe schools are key supporters of Wimpy's Fund.

Rockton Grade School,Whitman Post Elementary School,Stephen Mack Middle School and Ledgewood Elementary School held fundraisers for the Wimpy's Fund.

Also jumping into supportive action were Roscoe United Methodist Church, Rockton Methodist Church. St, Andrew Lutheran Church. Red Shed Preschool, World of Dreams Daycare, Bridget's Be Bella, Embellish Beauty Bar, Sage Nail Artistry, 1st National Bank and Trust, Stillman Bank and Employees, All World Machinery Supply, MSC Industrial Supply Sales Team, Edge Fitness and Sports Performance, Worth It Wellness with Erica, First Student Bus Company and Sandi, Dollar General in Roscoe, Fire & Iron Firefighters MC, Station 53 of N-IL.

Special thanks go to the “pick up team” of Brandie White and Ann Mylin, plus tons of friends of the Rockton Lions Club.

Local dentists Dr. Usedom and Dr. Carlson, both from Rockford, and Joiner Family Dental of Roscoe, generously donated toothbrushes for all of the children.

Businesses also display tags or set up “giving trees" for community members and employees to adopt a family. Extra donations come in from churches and schools, some also adopting a family.

Several organizations hold toy drives and donate those toys to Wimpy's Fund.

Every year the Rockton Lions Club hosts Breakfast with Santa at the Rockton Christmas Walk. Funds from the breakfast also go toward Wimpy's Fund.

Behind the scenes, many hours go into preparing for the auction, which is held after the Rockton Christmas parade.

Volunteers work for at least a month, with a weekly meeting to plan the next steps, making phone calls to organize and gather donated items.

A group of core volunteers put the auction together led by co-chairs Terrie Garlow and Carol Wright. They gather donations and organize both the silent and live auction event. Many other Lions members lend a hand by donating or helping during the auction.

The process starts in October. Rockton Lions Club members and community volunteers spend a total of well over 200 man hours on paperwork, communications with the schools, and other tasks for each Wimpy's Fund.

Volunteers for the delivery day are always too many to count, with a huge group of Lions members, people in the community, businesses, school districts and local churches.

“We have many returning volunteers," said Wimpy's Fund chair Tami Verstraete, "and every year we pick up new volunteers who have received help from Wimpy's Fund as a kid or within the past few years and now are in a better place and want to pay it forward or just want to help this wonderful organization."

Verstraete says, “I always tell new delivery volunteers, be prepared to cry and take it all in as it's the best day of the year. Delivery Day, which is the Saturday before Christmas, is truly my favorite day of the year. I consider it an honor to be able to take what Wimpy started so many years ago and carry on his legacy.”