Kunes Auto Group Presents Car Convos: The Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club and The 2024 Mercedes GLE 450-4MATIC

In this car convo...

• 3:23 - What is the Rotary Club?
• 7:07 - Scholarships that reward perseverance and tenacity, beyond the 4.0 GPA
• 10:38 - How can you join the club?
• 13:37 - This is how we do it!
• 21:26 - Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club's future plans

In a heartwarming conversation aboard the latest 2024 Mercedes GLE 450 4MATIC, Ron Hutter, our Regional General Manager for Sycamore, IL, dives deep into the vibrant world of the Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club with its president, Norm Walzer. Through the rolling streets of our beloved town, they unravel the essence of what makes this club a cornerstone of our community.

Fifteen years ago, Norm's path to the Rotary Club began in Macomb, IL, driven by a passion for community development. With a rich background in academia, Norm spent decades fostering outreach programs across universities.

His desire? To fortify these programs within our community, enhancing our collective quality of life through robust leadership.

Before his Rotary adventure, Norm was a beacon of influence in the academic world, contributing as an economics department chair, a college dean, and even the founding director for an institute dedicated to rural affairs. His tenure at Northern Illinois University further cemented his commitment to nurturing smaller communities nearby.

The Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club, as Norm eloquently shares, is part of a global mission with a laser focus on impactful community service. The club originally stood on the monumental goal of eradicating polio, showcasing the power of collective action.

For those new to the Rotary universe, it's a platform where community passion meets professionalism, friendship, and fun. It's about joining hands to bring to life local projects that echo far and wide.

With principles that question fairness, truth, goodwill, and collective benefit, the club ensures every action is worthwhile—and yes, infused with joy!

One of the club's pride points is the Taste of DeKalb event, a fun-filled fundraiser that stitches the community closer with music, food, and a spirit of generosity. Additionally, by valuing resilience above GPAs in their scholarship program, the Rotary Club nurtures future leaders, making a profound impact on lives.

Norm emphasizes the club's welcoming spirit, inviting anyone with a heart for public service to explore what it means to be a Rotarian. Age is no barrier in this diverse and dynamic community, especially as younger members bring their social media savvy to the forefront, broadening the club's outreach.

Despite its modest size, the Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club is mighty in action. From supporting Meals On Wheels to raising funds for the Salvation Army and contributing significantly to local food pantries, their impact resonates deeply within Sycamore.

Looking towards the future, the club is alive with excitement for welcoming new members and launching new projects. They are enthusiastic about increasing their impact with events, such as whisky tastings and the beloved Taste of DeKalb.

Reflecting on his journey, Norm shares heartwarming memories from the Whisky History event to the profound experience of meeting scholarship applicants. These experiences serve as powerful reminders of how a community, united by compassion and purpose, can truly make a difference.

The Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary Club is more than an organization; it's a family committed to bettering our world, one project at a time. Whether you're looking to make new friends, give back, or simply be part of something bigger, this is a place where your contributions will bloom.

For those inspired to learn more or take the first step towards membership, visit Kishwaukee Rotary Club website and discover how you can be part of this extraordinary journey of service and friendship.

Together, let's drive positive change in Sycamore and beyond!