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Speakers & Special Guests
Ron Klaphake
Apr 17, 2024 6:00 PM
Arizona Broadway Theater
TBD
Apr 24, 2024 6:00 PM
Students of the Month Breakfast
Apr 26, 2024 7:00 AM
Peoria High School
TBD
May 01, 2024 6:00 PM
Carrie Rosencrans
May 08, 2024 6:00 PM
Helping Others Together Community Foundation
Students of the Month Recognition
May 15, 2024 6:00 PM
TBD
May 22, 2024 6:00 AM
Dark. No Meeting.
May 29, 2024 6:00 PM
Dark. No Meeting.
Jun 12, 2024 6:00 PM
Annual "Commotion"
Jun 19, 2024 6:00 PM
Installation of 2024-25 Board
Dark. No Meeting.
Jun 26, 2024 6:00 PM
Learn More About Rotary In Arizona
Rotary In Action
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Bret McKeand
Oct 19, 2023
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Bret McKeand
Oct 02, 2023
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Bret McKeand
Oct 02, 2023
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Bret McKeand
Oct 02, 2023
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Apr 18, 2019
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Feb 25, 2019
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May 22, 2018
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May 24, 2017
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Dec 21, 2015
Supporting Partners
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Peoria North
Welcome to Peoria North Rotary Club
Peoria North

People of Action

We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 6:00 PM
The Links Neighborhood Grill
18823 N. Country Club Drive
Peoria, AZ 85383
United States of America
Peoria North is meeting in person with a Zoom/virtual option.
Home Page Stories
 
Peoria North Rotary Club continues its 2024 Prom Closet service project this weekend, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, April 13-14.
 
The club served over 300 students during the first weekend, April 6-7. The project was featured on two local newscasts -- Channel 10 and Channel 3. Click the links below to view the segments.
 

https://www.facebook.com/GinaMaravillaTV/videos/1591703144950270


Check out a preview of this weekend's Prom Closet created by the friendly folks at Channel 10 in Phoenix! https://www.fox10phoenix.com/video/1436428
 
 
 
 
The Peoria North Rotary Club has awarded educational scholarships to two graduating Peoria Unified School District high school students.
 
Isabella Perry and Leah Bucher each received a $2,000 George and Willi Wheeler Scholarship during a recent club meeting. Ms. Perry attends Mountain Ridge High School and Ms. Bucher attends Peoria High School.
 
The George and Willi Wheeler Scholarship was created in 2023 and the two students are the first recipients. The scholarship is available to all students who currently attend a PUSD high school or Mountain Ridge High School.
 
The scholarship is named after two long-time club members: George and Willi Wheeler. George was a founding member of the Peoria North Rotary Club and a former Arizona Rotary District Governor. He passed away in 2022.
 
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. The scholarship recognizes high school students who demonstrate strong leadership skills that include opportunities to serve humanity.
 
The Rotary scholarship may be used for any school-related payments such as tuition, books, software and/or equipment at any accredited college, university, vocational school, or certificate program.
 
The Wheelers were strong supporters of education and instrumental in organizing a variety of club projects aimed at promoting literacy. The club recognizes Students of the Month at several Peoria high schools and has sponsored several book drives to benefit Peoria schools.
 
For the past 10 years, a signature project of the club is to purchase and distribute dictionaries to every third-grade student in the Peoria Unified School District.
 
“All during their dedicated careers in Rotary, the Wheelers traveled to many countries to distribute schoolbooks, administer the polio vaccine, provide computers to schools and bringing goodwill to underprivileged children,” said Steve Matthews, president of the Peoria North Rotary Club.
 
“Their dedication to helping children is the reason the George and Willi Scholarship was founded. It is Rotary’s desire to help as many students as possible to achieve an education and eventually hoping to eliminate poverty throughout the world.”
 
The club recently announced that it will award three scholarships in 2025. The application can be found at www.peorianorthrotary.net.
 
For additional information, email the club at peorianorthr@gmail.com.
The Peoria North Rotary Club is gearing up once again for its annual Prom Closet, the club's signature community service project.
 
Rotarians from throughout the district will join Peoria North to assist with this year's Prom Closet, scheduled for April 6-7 and April 13-14. The event on April 13 will serve as our District 5495's official kick-off to Arizona Rotary Week of Service.
 
The Prom Closet will be held the Glendale System of Care Campus, 7677 W. Bethany Home Road, Glendale.
 
The club will hold its April 3 club meeting at the Glendale System of Care Campus. The meeting will include an update on this year's event and feature a short volunteer orientation. Volunteers and Rotarians from other West Valley Rotary and Rotaract Clubs have been invited to join us for the meeting. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.
 
Club members and volunteers are invited to arrive earlier that day to assist with set-up in the gymnasium for the April 6-7 Prom Closet. Set-up will begin at 4 p.m.
 
We are looking for volunteers.  The Prom Closet’s popularity has increased each year so we need to increase our number of volunteers. We would like 40 volunteers for each session on the weekend so it will take 40 to 80 people a day to make it run smoothly.  Gather a group and serve together.
 
 
 
 
 
A quilt created by the Interact Club of Union Academy High School in Monroe, N.C., was donated to the Peoria North Rotary Club and auctioned at the club's annual dinner classic on Feb. 17.
 
The Interact Club is a fast-growing and highly successful Interact Club led by President Steve and Maria Matthews's granddaughter, Marissa Matthews. Marissa visited the club via Zoom recently and shared information about her Interact Club.
Mountain Ridge High School Students of the Month for October, November and December were recognized during a recent club meeting. Youth Services Chair Darlene Eger presented each student with a financial gift as well as a certificate showing a wheelchair has been donated in their name to a disabled person in Mexico.
 
 
  
 
Peoria North Rotary Club welcomes its two newest members: Gilbert Fornaciari and Ann Green. President Steve recently presented them with their membership pins and certificates. Gil was sponsored by John Calhoun, while Ann's sponsor was Margaret Fried.
 
 
District 5495 Governor Kevin Pitts made his official club visit on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Links Restaurant. DG Kevin shared his Rotary experiences and explained how involvement in Rotary provides opportunities for Rotarians to impact their communities and change the world.
 
In honor of Kevin's visit, the Peoria North Rotary Club announced that $500 would be donated in Kevin's name to The Rotary Foundation's annual fund.
The Peoria North Rotary Club has launched its first-ever educational scholarship to be granted to a graduating Peoria Unified School District high school student.
 
The George and Willi Wheeler Scholarship will be presented for the first time in 2024. The scholarship is available to all students who currently attend a PUSD high school or Mountain Ridge High School.
 
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise. The scholarship will recognize high school students who demonstrate strong leadership skills that include opportunities to serve humanity.
 
The Rotary scholarship may be used for any school-related payments such as tuition, books, software and/or equipment at any accredited college, university, vocational school, or certificate program.
 
The scholarship is named after two long-time club members: George and Willi Wheeler. George was a founding member of the Peoria North Rotary Club and a former Arizona Rotary District Governor. He passed away in 2022.
 
The Wheelers were strong supporters of education and instrumental in organizing a variety of club projects aimed at promoting literacy. The club recognizes Students of the Month at several Peoria high schools and has sponsored several book drives to benefit Peoria schools.
 
For the past 10 years, a signature project of the club is to purchase and distribute dictionaries to every third-grade student in the Peoria Unified School District.
 
“All during their dedicated careers in Rotary, the Wheelers traveled to many countries to distribute schoolbooks, administer the polio vaccine, provide computers to schools and bringing goodwill to underprivileged children,” said Steve Matthews, president of the Peoria North Rotary Club.
 
“Their dedication to helping children is the reason the George and Willi Scholarship was founded. It is Rotary’s desire to help as many students as possible to achieve an education and eventually hoping to eliminate poverty throughout the world.”
 
The deadline to apply for the 2024 scholarship is Jan. 31, 2024. The application can be found at www.peorianorthrotary.net.
 
For additional information, email the club at peorianorthr@gmail.com.
Peoria North Rotary Club once again "adopted" families whose children attend Alta Loma Elementary School in Peoria. Club members purchased toys, clothing and other items for children ages 4-14 to help spread holiday cheer during the holidays. Past President Jason Braunstein delivered the donations to the school several days before Christmas.
The Peoria North Rotary Club once again supported Wreaths Across America, a national campaign that aims to place a wreath on the grave of every United State veteran. In Arizona, the club purchased and placed wreaths on the National Veterans Cemetery in North Phoenix.
 
Club members joined literally thousands of other volunteers at the cemetery on Dec. 16 to take part in a ceremony honoring our nation's veterans, and to lay wreaths on the graves. According Lee Smith of Wreaths Across America, 2023 was the most successful and memorable National Wreaths Across America Day in history at Arizona National Cemetery. In all, 18,000 wreaths were placed on graves, covering nearly 25% of the graves at the cemetery.
 
Volunteers are needed for Wreath Retirement Day on Jan 6, 2024 at 9:00 am.
 
The event details are posted on the FB WAA page. A record number of wreaths will require a record number of volunteers to honorably retire the wreaths. Carts, wagons, poles and other carry devices are allowed and encouraged to expedite the cleanup process.
 
A short Wreath Retirement Ceremony and briefing will be held at 9:00 am in the front of the stage. Park near the visitor center in the center of the cemetery.
 
Volunteers will not be picking up anything other than the live WAA wreaths. All other items will be left in place. Gloves and water are recommended.
 
The club is sad to announce the passing of our friend, Susan Fitzgerald, the wife of Past District Governor Chuck Fitzgerald.
 
Chuck is a current member of The Rotary Club of Peoria North, and Susan was a long-time member of The Rotary Club of Peoria.
 
Susan Piattoni Fitzgerald, 70, died on December 8, 2023, after a four-year battle with breast cancer. With family members by her side, she passed into glory in her home in Peoria, Arizona.
 
Born in Melrose Park, Illinois, on March 10, 1953, she was the daughter of Fred and Mary Piattoni. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Education. She worked in technology for 25 years before starting her own marketing company in 2000.
 
Susan was a member of Vineyard Church North Phoenix, the Peoria Rotary Club, Executive Women International, and the Northwest Women’s Network. She enjoyed cooking, hiking, dogs, and, most of all, serving others. She is remembered as a peacemaker who loved Jesus and loved people.
 
She is survived by her husband of thirty-one years, Chuck Fitzgerald, her mother, Mary Piattoni, sister Lauren (Tom) Piattoni, brothers Gary and Louie Piattoni; children Beth (Jody) Webb, Andy (Benita) Fitzgerald, Tricia (Darrell) Free; grandchildren AJ, Wyatt, Alyssa, Sarah, Justin, Carter, Marley, Ian; nephews Adam Piattoni-Kapaun, Marcus and Luca Piattoni. Her father, Fred Piattoni, predeceased her.
 
Susan’s funeral service will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Vineyard Church North Phoenix, 6250 W. Peoria Avenue in Glendale, Arizona. A private graveside service will immediately follow.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for supporting the vulnerable in the community may be made to Vineyard Community Charities, 6250 West Peoria Avenue, Glendale, Arizona 85302, or at vccharities.org.
 
For additional information, visit:
 
Help Peoria North Rotary Club observe National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 16, 2023, by honoring our nation’s veterans.
 
Once again, our club is participating in National Wreaths Across America Day and members can help by purchasing a wreath that will be placed on a veteran’s grave at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.
 
Wreaths may be purchased online, and $5 of every wreath purchased is returned to the club. Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/AZ0172P  to purchase a wreath.
 
Club members are also invited to volunteer on Dec. 16 to place the wreaths on the graves of Arizona veterans. Contact Jason with additional questions.
 
Here is the updated timeline for Saturday Dec. 16th, 2023 at Arizona National Cemetery:
  • 8:00am - Gates Open
  • 8:30am - Wreath Escort Arrives
  • 10:00am - Ceremony starts (Wreath Placement following the Ceremony)
Family and Friends attending to place wreaths for loved ones will have a special wreath pick-up area this year. We have a team of volunteers dedicated to this very special mission for 2023!
 
**We have designated Handicap and Family Only parking areas inside the cemetery. Parking Volunteers will direct you accordingly.
**If you are interested in volunteering to assist with parking or wreath arrival, please send me an email. lee@arizonawaa.org
 
Wreath Retirement Day will be Saturday Jan. 6th, 2024 at 9:00am. More volunteers are always appreciated!
Please send me a direct email at: lee@arizonawaa.org for any issues ordering or questions. 
 
Thank you very much for supporting AZNMCP - National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Please click More Information for more about our mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach.
 
Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Hoping your Thanksgiving is filled with blessings and joy!
 
Tune into Wreaths Across America Radio to hear informational and inspiring content about members of the U.S. armed forces, their families, military veterans, and volunteers throughout the country and overseas who support the mission to REMEMBER, HONOR, and TEACH.
 
Peoria North Rotary Club has recognized Students of the Month at five area high schools.
 
Above, during a ceremony held Nov. 17 at Ironwood High School, students from four high schools were honored. From left, Darlene Eger, club Youth Chair; Maryam Gorgees and Jaydee Gelleos from Peoria High School; Ivy Nguyen and Luis Morales from Peoria Flex HS; Kenzie Frey and Te'Ana Moore from Centennial; Noah Gifft and Kenneth Armstrong from Ironwood; PNRC member Dave Evans.
 
During the club's Nov. 15 meeting, two students from Mountain Ridge High School were recognized at Students of the Month. From left, Liesa Shepherd (September), Isabella Perry (October). Paige Keaton, August student of the month, was unable to attend.
 
 
District 5495 Governor-elect Michelle Holcomb was celebrated during the Saturday evening Gala Dinner at this year's Zone 26/27 Institute held Nov. 11 in San Diego. PNRC members Bret McKeand, Darlene Eger and Margaret Fried were on hand to support Michelle, who will take over as D5495 Governor on July 1, 2024.
Three members of the Peoria North Rotary Club attended the recent Zone 26/27 Institute in San Diego, and in the process had the opportunity to meet and visit with Rotary International President-Elect Stephanie Urchick.
 
PDG Bret McKeand, Darlene Eger and Margaret Fried attended the institute. For Darlene and Margaret, it was their first institute. This year's Zone Institute was held Nov. 10-12 at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego.
 
The institute kicked off earlier in the week with several days of training specifically for the district governors-elect and district governors-nominee for the 30 districts that make up Rotary Zones 26 and 27. The highlight of the institute is a gala on Saturday, which features the graduation and celebration of all 30 district governors-elect. Michelle Holcomb is district governor-elect and will serve as district governor in 2024-25.
 
Stephanie Urchick will be Rotary International's second-ever female president. She will serve as RI President in 2024-25. She is a member of the Rotary Club of McMurray, Pennsylvania.
 
Peoria North Rotary Club was well represented at the 2023 Mexico-USA Friendship Conference held Oct. 26-29 in Prescott. Club members PDG Sara Jane Feldman and PDG Bret McKeand attended the conference and committed club support to four international projects.
The club committed $500 to four individual projects, for a total commitment of $2,000. Fourteen projects were presented during the conference, with seven projects walking away fully funded.
During the conference, Sara Jane Feldman and her late husband, PDG Marty, were recognized for their role in formation and early success of the conference two decades ago.
Photos and a full report on the projects funded can be found on the district website, as well as copies of the presentations for each made at the conference. Click HERE.
PNRC members Darlene Eger and Margaret Fried shared photos and stories of their trip this past May to Melbourne, Australia to attend the 2023 Rotary International Convention. The convention was the first Rotary convention either of them had attended. They shared stories of their visits to historic places in Australia, and photos of the convention -- including the House of Friendship, breakout sessions and general sessions. The stories of Rotary projects and the opportunity to meet Rotarians from throughout the world was an adventure both of them found heartwarming and inspirational. They brought back gifts for the members and presented President Steve with an official Rotary convention banner.
 
The Rotary Club of Peoria North joined the Rotary Club of Sun City in presenting a combined grant to Theater Works, the popular and widely acclaimed community theater located at the Peoria Performing Arts Center in downtown Peoria. The two clubs donated a total of $7,000 to Theater Works, to be used to support youth education programs at the theater. Presenting the grant to Theater Works at a recent Sun City Rotary Club meeting were, from left, Chris Hamby, C.W. McMillin Executive Director of Theater Works, Paul Pederson, director of patron development, PNRC Club President Steve Matthews, Sun City Rotary Club President Phil Ladd, and Sun City Rotary Club Treasurer Mike Zongolowicz.
Peoria North Rotary Club held its second annual fashion show fundraiser Oct. 18 at Palmbrook Country Club. Attendees enjoyed the latest fashions from Calle Rose -- all modeled by Rotarians and spouses. See photos from the event in a specially created photo album. Click here.
The Peoria North Rotary Club gathered recently to prepare thousands of dictionaries to be distributed to every third-grade student in the Peoria Unified School District. Club members placed decals in each dictionary that promotes the Rotary Four-Way Test, and then prepared boxes for distribution to each school. The dictionary project -- an annual project of the club for over 10 years -- is partially funded by a district grant.
The Peoria North Rotary Club welcomed two new members during its Sept. 28 club meeting. Transferring to Peoria North from the Rotary Club of Peoria are Past District Governor Chuck Fitzgerald and Kathleen Hurley. Past President Jason Braunstein conducted the club meeting and presented the certificates to Chuck and Kathleen.
The club recognized its first Peoria Unified School District Students of the Month for the new school year during a special ceremony held Sept. 22 in the cafeteria at Centennial High School. Club President Steve Matthews and member Dave Evans presented the students with a $100 stipend and notice of a wheelchair to be presented in their name to a disabled citizen in Mexico. From left: Vincent Lageschulte and Rachel Kohm from Ironwood High School; Kage Dean from Peoria Flex High School; Brian Liang and Lian Mitchell from Centennial High School; Julius Gerre and Priscilla Nunez from Peoria High School.
President Steve Matthews officially welcomed Dave Evans and Eric Hayes as Peoria North Rotary Club's newest members during our Sept. 20 club meeting. Both are long-time Rotarians and recently moved over to Peoria North from The Rotary Club of Peoria, which recently closed. Eric has served as the Peoria club's president for the past three years. The two are among several Peoria club members who are transferring to Peoria North.
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