Rotary of Macomb Meeting Highlights

The Rotary of Macomb meets Tuesdays at noon at the First Presbyterian Church.

September 15, 2026 President Nick Knowles called the Rotary Club’s 12th meeting to order by ringing the Rotary Bell at First Presbyterian Church in Macomb. Larry Adams delivered the invocation, followed by John Clerkin leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Steve Tibbitts reported that 31 members attended in person or via Zoom, representing 58% of the club’s membership. He introduced the guests: Brad Bainter of Linda’s Fund, the guest speaker; Chad Long; Junior Rotarians Carter and Mullen; and Nora, a Rotary Exchange student from Budapest, Hungary.

During the Happy Money portion of the meeting, nine Rotarians shared noteworthy events from the previous week. In the 50/50 drawing, guest Chad Long held the winning ticket and had an opportunity to claim the prize of more than $200 by drawing the 9 of Hearts from the 26 remaining cards. He drew the 7 of Clubs, however, and the prize was not awarded this week.

Junior Rotarian Mullen Butcher then provided an update on activities at MHS and discussed her plans following graduation.

Mullen, the daughter of Chris and Jessica Butcher, is a senior at MHS. She noted that Homecoming would take place this weekend and that she and Junior Rotarian Carter had both been selected for the Homecoming Court. The King and Queen would be announced on Thursday, followed by the Homecoming Parade on Friday afternoon and the football game that evening.

After graduation, she plans to attend a four-year college and subsequently enroll in cosmetology school. She was also scheduled to begin working at 2Dye4 Beauty Salon that day.

President Nick provided several club announcements. The Rotary Centennial Rotary Club had requested assistance with a service project to paint the spillway at Spring Lake on September 26, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Jeremy Robinett was identified as the contact for members interested in volunteering. President Nick also reminded members of the club’s Fifth Tuesday Social on September 29, 2026, which would include the drawing of the winners for the $20,000 raffle. The club would not hold its regular noon meeting that day.

The District Governor was scheduled to visit the club on October 6, 2026.

The club would not meet on October 13, 2026, because of Legislative Day in Springfield.

Ryan Van Dolah provided an update on Cash Raffle ticket sales, reporting that 253 tickets had been sold. We still have time for members to sell tickets. He then conducted the Early Bird drawing for a complimentary ticket, which was won by Jackie Lucas.

Todd Lester introduced guest speaker Brad Bainter.

Brad spent more than 40 years at WIU, first as a student-athlete and later in a professional capacity, ultimately serving as vice president and executive director of the WIU Foundation.

He also played professional basketball in Australia for two years before returning to Macomb to work at WIU. Since retiring several years ago, he and his wife, Amy, have divided their time between North Carolina and Macomb.

Brad spoke about Linda’s Fund, a charity he established approximately 15 years ago in memory of his mother, who battled breast cancer. He described the fund’s history and the community support it has received. Since its establishment, the fund has distributed more than $310,000 to assist local women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Grants have helped cover a range of needs, including medical expenses and household necessities.

Brad explained that he envisioned the fund as a direct means of helping local women manage their financial burdens so they could focus on recovery. While other organizations raise funds for research, Linda’s Fund offers a personal and immediate way to support women in the community.

The meeting concluded with the recitation of the “Four-Way Test” and the sounding of the Rotary Bell.

Members were encouraged to make Rotary part of their lives and to “Unite for Good.”