YMCA - Expanding Services

 

     Brent Pentenburg is the Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Rock River Valley, where he has been instrumental in leading the organization since 2014.  He joined the YMCA as Vice President of Operations and has since risen to the position of CEO.

     Brent holds a BS in Organizational Leadership from Middle Tennessee State University and has a strong background in health and recreation management.  His leadership has been pivotal in the YMCA's growth and development, particularly in the Belvidere Family YMCA, where he has taken over management duties effective in July of 2025.

     Brent is an advisory member for Youth for Christ, a member of the Rotary Club of East Rockford and Cherry Valley and volunteer with Stateline Church. He and his wife, Johnnie, are also foster parents and inspire others to get involved as adoptive or foster parents in our community.

     Brent will discuss some of the various services that the YMCA offers and also tell us where he sees the YMCA in the future.

     This will be an interesting and informative program and one to bring a guest or prospective member to join us in person at Memorial Hall or via Zoom.

     President Paul, who is a member of the YMCA Board of Directors, will introduce our presenter and act as Rotary host.

     At our February 26th meeting, President Paul introduced two new members of Rockford Rotary.  Actually, one new member and one old member transferring back to Rockford.

 

 

     Jim Nelson is returning to Rockford after a few years in Tennessee.  Jim is a Past President of Rockford Rotary and also a Past District Governor.

 

  

 

     Tanner Elliott is the Development Manager for Habitat for Humanity and was sponsored by Denise Noe.  Tanner also has the distinction of being the youngest member of Rockford Rotary.

     We would encourage all of our members to make an effort to meet and welcome Tanner and Jim to Rockford Rotary.

 

     Our 2025-26 goal for the Rotary International Foundation Annual Fund is $13,000.  So far, members have contributed $7,391.  In addition, members have contributed an additional $3,620 to the other six funds including Polio Plus.

     Our other goal is to have 100% participation.  To date, 27 members have contributed to the Foundation out of our total membership of 84 which is 32.1%.

     Congratulations to Suzanne Berger who is our newest contributor to the Foundation.  Congratulations and thank you to the following members who have contributed to this year's campaign.

 

 

 

     We ran into Cole Bathje at the Food Bank on February 24th.  Cole is a Rotary Academy graduate and recently changed jobs from Rockford Promise to NIFB.  With the help of the Hononegah High School vocational interns, we packaged over 7,000 oranges.

     While Cole, Paul, Eric and Pete were packaging oranges, Mary Maxted and Kent Maxted were working up front in the market.

     Thanks to everyone who helped out at the NIFB and check to see when Rockford Rotary is scheduled to help out again.

 

     Our February 26th program featured the Rotary Academy.

 

 

     Linda Johnson gave us a history of the Rotary Academy.  Even though she has given this before, we have a number of new members who learned about our signature project.

     We also heard from two of the Academy students from RESA talk about their experiences with the Rotary Academy.

     Then Michael Von Driska (Pail's son), and Hannah Long from Camp Winnebago gave us some information about the fall and spring activities that the Academy students participate in.

 

L-R - Michael Von Driska, Hannah Long, Tamara Butler, Meghan Dziki, Linda Johnson, President Paul.

 

     The Service Above Self Award recognizes outstanding volunteer service by individuals and organizations. Do you know someone or an organization that you admire for their volunteer service in Rockford? Please nominate them for a Service Above Self Award. You can find the nomination forms on our club’s website under the membership toolbar. Nominations are due by March 5^th.  

     Awards will be given out on March 26^th. Please note you will need at least one letter of support.  Awards will be given to one Rotarian, one non-Rotarian, and one organization. Community volunteer service is needed now more than ever, so let’s get out and recognize outstanding volunteers!

     Any questions, please call Dave Byrnes at (815) 670-1737.

 

     Rockford Rotary will be helping out at the Northern Illinois Food Bank at the following time:

 

         - stocking and packing

 

      

     If you have any questions contact Mary Maxted - marymaxted1@gmail.com or 815-985-5538

Rotary Lunches 

 

     We will continue to serve lunches for $12 each week.  We currently are having food from the Sandwich Shop, but we will alternate each month between Beef-A-Roo and the Sandwich Shop.  Monica will be more than happy to take your money for lunch. 

 

Jim Coffey, Secretary