Rockton Roscoe Rotary stays true to their mission of Service Above Self
Further educational opportunities have been opened thanks to a sold out Ribfest in 2026.
Service Above Self is the motto of the Rockton Roscoe Rotary.
One of the ways theRockton Roscoe Rotary gives back is through the annual Ribfest. Varied rib recipes, side dishes and beverages were on the menu, with the ribs being sold out.
This years competition drew excellent crowds as competition heated up between Fire Departments from Rockton, South Beloit, Shirland and Rockford on Saturday, July 25, with action taking place in the parking lot of Viking Lanes in South Beloit.
After trying the ribs, the final votes were tallied.
For the third consecutive year Shirland emerged as this year’s winner of the “Best Rack of Ribs, People’s Choice.”
All proceeds from Ribfest are used to support the club's Rockton Roscoe education fund.
Based on school size, the Rotary awards two scholarships to students from Hononegah and one to a student from South Beloit.
The Rockton Roscoe Rotary Club promotes literacy by providing books to librarians in Rockton, Roscoe, Shirland and South Beloit schools as well as to North Suburban Library in Roscoe, and Talcott Free Library in Rockton. These books often supplement a possible shortage of books for readers.
The Rockton Roscoe Rotary district acts as the liaison between Rotary International and the club. The district exists to support the clubs in public image, foundation fundraising, membership growth, member engagement and to handle any questions or support the clubs may need.
They communicate Rotary International’s messages regarding those same topics, and Rotary’s action plan or roadmap, to ensure continuity and clarity between Rotary International and the clubs.
On July 2, 2026 the Rotary District 6420 donated $6,000 to Northern Illinois Food Bank, Providing Over 24,000 Meals for Winnebago County Neighbors.
Rotary District 6420 continues to champion service above self through initiatives that address critical local needs, from food insecurity to youth programs and community development projects.
In April of 2026Rotary District 6420raisedmore than $13,000 for the End Polio Now campaign while teaming up with Severson Dells Nature Center for a unique “golf ball hunt” at the former Elliot Golf Course.
Conference attendees spread out across the course, collecting thousands of golf balls as part of an environmental cleanup effort supporting the site’s transition to a restored natural space.
The project combined teamwork, purpose, and a bit of friendly competition—bringing the Rotary’ International’s tagline, “people of action” to life.
At the same time, the conference made a global impact. Through the Purple Pinky Challenge and a silent auction, participants raised over $5,700. With the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s 2:1 match, the total contribution exceeded $13,000 to support the eradication of polio worldwide.
The two-day event, held in Rockford brought together Rotarians from across northern Illinois under the theme “What’s Next, Rotary? — Standing Still Isn’t an Option.”
The conference featured leadership-focused breakout sessions, conversations around membership growth, and a panel of emerging leaders sharing what they’re looking for in today’s organizations.
Clubs from across the district were also recognized for their impact, including achievements in literacy, membership, and public image, along with participation in the Level-Up Leadership Initiative.
A highlight of the weekend was the Rotary Youth Exchange program, featuring a vibrant Parade of Flags and a keynote that showcased the life-changing impact of global connection and cultural exchange.
“Rotary is about taking action—and sometimes that looks like rolling up your sleeves and heading out on a golf course,” said Rotary District 6420 Immediate Past District Governor. Melissa McCormick.
Rotary District 6420 includes more than 40 clubs and over 1,200 members dedicated to strengthening communities locally and globally.
Hybrid meetings allows club members to meet both in person and virtually.
Meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month at Sophia's Restaurant in Roscoe, with social events each quarter.
To contact the Rockton-Roscoe Rotary Club, you can go to their website https://portal.clubrunner.ca/8404/. New members are always welcome by the Board of Directors and the current membership!
Furthering educational opportunities, the club has participated in a design competition with CEANCI (Career Education Assistance of North Central Illinois).
The winner was a female graphic arts student at Hononegah who created a new brochure for the Rotary. CEANCI is a program designed to prepare and to invest in all students for career and college through partnerships that build innovative regional opportunities.
The Rotary backs an “Interact Club” that is incorporated into local schools - Rotary for ages 12-18. This service club has a minimum of two events in the fiscal year, one for the school and one for the community.
Volunteers are needed to help with weeding at a pollinator plot at Kinnikinnick Elementary School, providing nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and other essential pollinators.
The club is looking for volunteers to help with weeding and watering, or through a donation of plants.
Since January 2020 they have served and provided breakfast for Carpenters Place in Rockford, an outreach that continues today. They have also extended help to the Rockford Rescue Mission.
In July 2020, during the COVID pandemic, the Roscoe Rockton Rotary club participated in assembling 3,125 face shields.
They also donated 100 face shields each to Fair Oaks in South Beloit and Highview in the Woodlands in Rockton.
In the past an “End Polio Now” walk was held at Hononegah to raise funds for the Polio Plus Foundation. Two countries in the world are still not considered polio-free: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In 2022 the club participated in the Rockford 1M Meal Packing Event.
They have helped deliver food to the cars for the South Beloit Food Pantry drive-thru. Rotary blood drives have aided in saving lives.
The Rockton- Roscoe Rotary was the winner of a sustained literacy award at the Rotary District 6420 Conference in April 2024.
The Rotary is a strong supporter of the Winnebago County 4-H program, with sponsorship for the Grand Champion Overall Pair-Pen of Standard Chickens and the Champion Computer Generated Art.
History of the Rockton Roscoe Rotary
The local Rotary Club was chartered on June 3, 1959, with 22 members. They met on Mondays at noon at the Wagon Wheel Resort and the first president was George Wm. Franzen.
Originally called the Rotary Club of Rockton, it represented Rockton, Roscoe, Shirland, and Harrison.
In time the club name was changed to the Rotary Club of Northern Winnebago County and later changed to Rockton-Roscoe Rotary Club in November 2019.
Today, the Rockton, Roscoe Rotary continues to put Service Above Self.
