Speakers & Special Guests
Marco Cecala
Oct 16, 2024 6:00 PM
Guatemala Literacy Program
Bret McKeand
Oct 23, 2024 6:00 PM
World Polio Day
Dark. No Meeting.
Oct 30, 2024 6:00 PM
Kathy Knecht
Nov 06, 2024 6:00 PM
West Valley Arts Council
Eric Hayes
Nov 13, 2024 6:00 PM
Benefits of Using QCD for Charitable Donations
Students of the Month
Nov 20, 2024 6:00 PM
No meeting. Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov 27, 2024 6:00 PM
Chuck Fitzgerald
Dec 04, 2024 6:00 PM
Update on the Arizona Capital
Dr. K.C. Somers, PUSD Superintendent
Dec 11, 2024 6:00 PM
Peoria Unified School District
Annual Christmas Party
Dec 18, 2024 6:00 PM
Dark. No Meeting. Merry Christmas!
Dec 25, 2024 6:00 PM
No meeting. Happy New Year!
Jan 01, 2025 6:00 PM
Club Assembly
Jan 08, 2025 6:00 PM
Erik Friend
Jan 15, 2025 6:00 PM
Jazz My Wheelchair
Bilma Peter
Jan 22, 2025 6:00 PM
Grand Canyon Council, BSA
Dark. No meeting.
Jan 29, 2025 6:00 PM
Learn More About Rotary In Arizona
Rotary In Action
13 image(s)
Bret McKeand
Oct 19, 2023
27 image(s)
Bret McKeand
Oct 02, 2023
6 image(s)
Bret McKeand
Oct 02, 2023
14 image(s)
Bret McKeand
Oct 02, 2023
44 image(s)
Apr 18, 2019
13 image(s)
Feb 25, 2019
41 image(s)
May 22, 2018
10 image(s)
May 24, 2017
8 image(s)
Dec 21, 2015
Supporting Partners
Click on logos for links
 
 
 
Peoria North
Welcome to Peoria North Rotary Club
Peoria North

People of Action

We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
Briarwood Country Club
20800 N. 135th Ave.
Sun City West, AZ 85373
United States of America
Dark the 5th Wednesday of the month. June, July and August meet ONLY 1st and 3rd Wednesday
Home Page Stories
Peoria North Rotary Club recognized Peoria Unified School District Students of the Month for the third quarter during an event held Sept. 20 at Centennial High School.
 
Club Youth Chair Dave Evans introduced the students and presented certificates. Students from Centennial, Peoria, and Ironwood High Schools, as well as Peoria Flex Academy, were recognized.
 
The breakfast was provided by Centennial students.
Three members of the Peoria North Rotary Club attended the Zone 26/27 Institute Sept. 12-15 in Spokane, Wash.
 
President-Elect Darlene Eger and Club Secretary Margaret Fried joined PDG Bret McKeand at the institute. Peoria North had the most members in attendance of any District 5495 Rotary club represented at the Zone Institute.
 
In addition to several peer-to-peer sessions and presentations by several Rotary speakers, the event culminated in the graduation of all 30 District Governors-Elect on Saturday evening -- including District 5495 Governor-elect Jim Schmidt.
 
Rotary International President-Elect Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo spoke at several of the sessions and was the featured speaker at the Saturday evening graduation ceremony.
 
A special Rotary Peace Pole was dedicated at Spokane's Rotary Fountain on Saturday afternoon. Darlene and Margaret joined RIPE Mario and several other Rotarians at the ceremony.
Peoria North Rotary Club and the Sun City Rotary Club recently presented a donation of $8,000 to Theater Works in Peoria. The gift will be used to support a program that allows students from Title I schools to attend a performance at Theater Works. Members of the two clubs presented the gift prior to the start of the July 27 evening performance of "Grease." Afterward, the entire cast joined Rotarians in the lobby for a photo. Thank you -- and congratulations -- to Chris Hamby and the Theater Works team for all they do to bring great community theater to Peoria!
The Peoria North Rotary Club held its annual "Commotion" ceremony -- the installation of the new president and board -- June 19 at The Links Restaurant in Westbrook Village.
 
District Governor-Elect Michelle Holcomb attended and swore in incoming President John Calhoun and the club's 2024-25 Board of Directors.
 
After a brief program showcasing the life and career of President John, DGE Michelle officially swore in John as president of the club for 2024-25. In addition to John, the club board for the new year consists of: Steve Matthews, past president; Tammy Sabinsky, treasurer; Margaret Fried, secretary; Darlene Eger, president-elect; and Directors Al Dixon and Dave Evans.
 
Members of the club's Prom Closet Committee shared a recap of this year's activities at the club's June 5 meeting.
 
Committee Chairs Sharon Jarnagin and Gina Schmitz shared stories and photos from this year's Prom Closet, which took place during two weekends in April. A total of 614 students from over 108 Arizona high schools visited this year's Prom Closet. Rotarians from nearly a dozen District 5495 Rotary Clubs volunteered, including a Rotarian from the Kingman Route 66 Rotary Club!
 
Certificates of appreciation were presented to the owners of Mr. Formal -- who provide the majority of the young men's wear offered during the Prom Closet -- and the Glendale Elementary School District's System of Care Campus, where the Prom Closet is held each year.
Several members of the Peoria North Rotary Club traveled to Rocky Point May 2-5 to attend the 2024 District 5495 Conference. The conference was the district's first-ever "joint conference." The conference was shared with District 4100 in Mexico. Over 150 Rotarians from District 5495 attended the event, including from Peoria North: John and Cathy Calhoun, Bret and Michelle McKeand, Darlene Eger and Margaret Fried.
 
Peoria North Rotary Club honored its Students of the Month from Mountain Ridge High School during the club's May 15 meeting. President-elect John Calhoun and Youth Services Chair Darlen Eger presented awards to the students.
Peoria North Rotary Club recognized its "Students of the Month" during a ceremony held April 26 at Peoria High School.
 
Students were presented with a financial stipend, and notification of a wheelchair presented in their name to a disabled citizen in Mexico.
 
From left, Margaret Fried (PNRC secretary), PNRC member Al Dixon, Darlene Eger (PNRC youth chair), Janice (Rose) Reyes from Peoria Flex High School, Kennedy Jennings of Ironwood High School, Kylie Gaboriault and Boaz Scwartz from Centennial High School, Isabela Chacon and Kyle Schoenbauer from Peoria High School, and Dave Evans, PNRC member.
 
The club each quarter recognizes students of the month from these four high schools, as well as Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale.
Peoria North Rotary Club welcomed its newest member at the club's April 24 meeting. Michele Malo, executive director at Briarwood Country Club, was inducted into the club by Past President Jason Braunstein. Congratulation and welcome Michele!
 
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:
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