It is my honor to present John Spitzer who is accompanied today by his wife Sue. We are also joined via Zoom by Kathy Vigna who is "snowbirding" in Florida. She and John work together on many Alpine Kiwanis projects, and she was one of last years’ Service Above Self honorees.
John retired from Hamilton Sundstrand in late 2002 from a time consuming job that didn’t allow him time for volunteer work.
Upon retirement he volunteered for Habitat for Humanity construction crews building four houses. John led a small team during a whole house refurbishment for Rockford New Hope.
Hamilton Sundstrand made him an offer he couldn’t refuse and he did part time contract work from 2006 – 2010 but continued to volunteer with Rockford New Hope.
In 2012 John began volunteering with the Visiting Nurses Money Management Program which has since been renamed to MercyHealth at Home. He currently helps 2 clients manage their finances.
In 2013 he joined Alpine Kiwanis and served on a number of committees. For 4 years he served as chair of the Charities committee which has the responsibility of giving away all of the profits from Brat Days. For 6 years he has been a Brat Days site chair, which means he was responsible for turning an empty parking lot into a fully functioning restaurant in two days. He has been a Board Member for 10 years. He currently serves as Charities Treasurer.
From 2015 to 2019 he volunteered at Zion Lutheran Church in a Wednesday after school program for underserved youth.
In 2018 John started volunteering as a Math tutor in Rockford schools beginning at Marsh School until COVID and then in 2022 moved to Hillman Elementary school where he continues to tutor 4th and 5th graders.
John is a pilot and in 2020 John joined the Poplar Grove Experimental Aircraft Association where he has served as a board member since 2022.
To quote Carolyn Kloss, the principal at Hillman School, “John’s ability to connect with the kids and encourage them to care about their learning speaks volumes about his compassion and dedication to our students”.
Please join me in recognizing John Spitzer with a 2025 Service Above Self award.
Good afternoon, fellow Rotarians, award recipients, and numerous guests.
It is my pleasure and honor to introduce you to Ted O’Donnell, a man who has multiple talents, a passion and tireless energy for community service and is an inspiration to others to give back to their city.
I first met Ted about 20 years ago when he was a new Rotarian in this very club, probably at the encouragement and maybe arm twisting of his grandpa, Bill O’Donnell, an extraordinary Rotarian and model of “service above self”.
As life happens, Ted got busy with work, marriage, 4 children and formation of his own band, Dirty Fishnet Stockings, which is how I was reacquainted with Ted…..my daughter and her husband are DFS groupies; he officiated their wedding and he and his band performed at their wedding reception.
Unfortunately, Ted dropped out of Rotary but he continued to engage in community service. He served on the Golden Apple Steering Committee from 2014-2019, the Steering Committee of the Irish Marching Society from 2013-2017, and the Steering Committee for The Arc of Winnebago, Boone and Ogle Counties from 2013-2017.
Ted had another model of community service in his life…his Uncle Joe Marino, known to many as Mr. Fourth of July. In 1963 Joe, at the request of the Mayor of Rockford, created The July Civic Committee. Relying solely on donations and volunteers Joe provided the first downtown fireworks show in Rockford. In 1989 Joe created the Holiday Festival of Lights which was financed by donations and grants and made possible by a work force of volunteers. Joe chaired this event for 29 years.
When Joe passed away in 2018, Ted took the knowledge and experience he had gotten from being involved in the 4th of July events and the Holiday Festival of Lights, applied his passion for service and in remembrance for his uncle, he made it his mission to continue these two iconic events. Due to his tireless efforts in 2024 the 4th of July Civic Committee celebrated its 60th year and the Festival of Lights celebrated its 35 year anniversary. Ted has been co-chairing the 4th of July event for 15 years and the FOL event for 9 years.
I would like to read to you part of a letter of recommendation from a volunteer that describes what is takes to make these two events happen:
“I have volunteered side-by-side with Ted during the early mornings and late nights, during planning and set up of both events. He is always the first to arrive and the last to leave. I have personally witnessed the ups and downs of his volunteer work, the anxiety of each event going off without a hitch, the concern about adequate donations coming in, the behind-the-scenes tasks such as coordinating volunteers and vendors, insurance companies, permitting and scheduling. What most people don’t see is that the work Ted puts into these events is a year-round task, on top of his full-time job, being a lead singer of a local band, and managing a family. The day of these events, when he actually gets a brief chance to enjoy the fruits of his labor, it is clear how rewarding it is for him, even shedding a little tear at times.
There are many days when I am envious of his mental and physical ability and drive to do what he does and still be able to maintain the positive, bubbly attitude that people are so drawn to. This volunteer work is in his blood. The love he has for this community is undeniable and h is such an inspiration to others around him. I am proud to nominate Ted O’Donnell for this award and hope that you consider how much of a selfless asset hi is to our community. “
Congratulations, Ted. Your Grandpa and Uncle Joe live on through your passionate dedication to service and your family and friends, who are here today, admire you and are inspired by you. The city of Rockford and its many visitors continue to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Thank you.
Oh! And if you ever want to rejoin Rotary, I’m pretty sure I know someone who would sponsor you.
Susan Fumo nominated by Mike Foreman
Susan has played a key role in growing and developing the Rockford Promise from an idea that hoped to increase educational attainment in Rockford, Illinois, to a nationally acclaimed program that has increased the number of full tuition scholarships from 5 in 2006 to over 400 today with further expansions forthcoming. Susan has done this in a fully volunteer capacity, while also holding various positions of leadership in the Rockford public schools and now Freeport public schools.
One of Susan’s most notable contributions is her role as the visionary founder and driving force behind "Raise the Roof," Rockford Promise’s most successful annual fundraiser. This signature event has generated essential funds to support scholars and stands as a testament to Susan’s remarkable ability to bring people together, inspire generosity, and drive meaningful change. Her creativity, determination, and tireless work has not only helped establish "Raise the Roof" as a cornerstone of fundraising efforts for the Rockford Promise, but also as a celebrated event within the Rockford community.
Susan has consistently focused on the improvement of the Rockford community, and she personifies the concept of service above self. The Rockford Rotary is pleased to honor her with a 2025 Service above self-award.
Becky Rundquist nominated by Helen Hill
It is my pleasure to help honor Becky Rundquist today. And so glad that her daughter, son, grandson, and of course, husband Pete, are here today.
Becky’s cheerful and thoughtful volunteer efforts through Rotary and other groups has brightened the lives of many underserved students, the elderly and the hungry. just a few She has focused primarily on five projects for Rotary: Rockford Reads, Rotary Academy for Lincoln Middle School, Rundquist Ringers for Salvation Army bellringing, Rotary’s many service projects, as well as social events for us so that we have more time to socialize, apart from our weekly meetings. Here’s some information for of Becky’s service.
Rockford Reads. For the past 9 years, Becky has helped second graders at Brookview School become better readers. She said it is so rewarding to see them gain confidence. “It helps to have someone pay attention to them and encourage them.”
Rundquist Ringers. This bellringing group was founded by Pete’s father, Dick Rundquist. Pete and Becky rang bells when Dick managed the bellringers. When he passed away, they wanted to continue the family tradition so they joined Rotary and took over the project. Their joining Rotary was a lucky break for us!! So, next November, when Becky asks for bellringing volunteers, please sign up!
Service Projects. Becky has chaired this for many years, and it has really expanded the community’s awareness of Rotary. Some examples include Rotarians helping Northern Illinois Food Bank with food collection and warehousing; giving Christmas gifts and Valentine’s cards to residents of River Bluff Nursing Home, one that has low-income residents; and planting flowers by the Family Peace Center’s front door each year.
In addition, Becky has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for 10 years; sung in her church choir for 25 years, and volunteered for Serenity Hospice in Oregon, a residence facility that had taken care of her mother.
Becky Rundquist, you are truly a servant who puts service above self.
Stars of Light nominated by Frank Buchmann
L-R - Steve Vrtol, Artistic Director, Mary Grubbe Lee, Program Manager, Frank Buchmann
Stars of Light is a program of Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. that uses dramatic and visual arts to promote recovery, educate the public about mental illness and reduce the stigma that surrounds it. They enhance the quality of life in our community and across Winnebago and Boone Counties with artistic products that educate as well as entertain. Through the artistry of the director and participants, public fear of mental illness is affiliated and barriers are broken down to understanding and acceptance. Participants include people with mental illness and other community members.
The Stars began in 1995 as a travelling theatre troupe, a program of the Janet Wattles Mental Health Center. They became affiliated with Rosecrance when Janet Wattles merged with that organization in 2011 and partnered with NAMI Northern Illinois in 2013. In 2015 they celebrated their 20th anniversary and then transitioned to Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. in November of 2017.
They have evolved from being a live theatre troupe to a comprehensive program that includes all artistic venues and promotes recovery from mental illness through inclusion in the arts.
Through the years the Stars have done 303 tour shows entertaining and educating over 23,000 people. They have done 7 radio shows in partnership with WNIU Public Radio on mental health topics; produced videos on recovery, employment, depression screening and suicide prevention; and have a You Tube Channel featuring personal stories, tour shows, musical pieces and art galleries. In 2022 the Stars received the Rockford Area Arts Council (RAAC) Artist of the Year Award. The Stars of Light regularly collaborate with NAMI Northern Illinois, Rosecrance and Shelter Care Ministries on their projects.
Future plans include designing sets of ten greeting cards and a mental health calendar for 2026. And mark your calendars because they will be celebrating their 30th Anniversary at the Nordlof Center on October 4, 2025.
Congratulations to the Stars of Light for being awarded the 2025 Mary-Stuart Carruthers Community Impact Award.
President Mike Foreman congratulated all of the honorees for their contributions to "Service Above Self". The program concluded with the Four Way Test by which is Rotary's moral compass for decision-making in persona; and professional settings.
Our four individual honorees: Becky Rundquist, John Spitzer, Ted O'Donnell, and Susan Fumo.
The Rundquist clan.
The Stars of Light.
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