The Peoria North Rotary Club celebrated the start of its new year with its annual "Commotion" program July 12 and the passing of the presidential gavel to Steve Matthews, who will serve as the club’s president in 2023-24. Mr. Matthews takes over as president from Vernon Bridges, who served as club president in 2022-23. Rotary District 5495 Governor Kevin Pitts conducted the installation ceremony and swore in Mr. Matthews and the club’s board for 2022-23. “Everything good that Rotary is able to accomplish throughout the world begins right here at the club level,” said Mr. Pitts. Others serving on the Peoria North Rotary Club board this year include Tammy Sabinsky, treasurer; Margaret Fried, secretary and Vernon Bridges, immediate past president. Club chairs include Darlene Eger, youth services chair; Bret McKeand, public image and Prom Closet chair; Joanna Conde, membership chair; Jason Braunstein, community service chair. Mr. Matthews congratulated club members on their commitment to community service and encouraged them to do even more in the new year. “You want a wonderful experience? Visit a Rotary project,” said Mr. Matthews. “Whether it is giving out dictionaries to third graders, visiting a newly dug water well in Mexico, helping to build housing on the Navajo reservation or making beds for children that today sleep on floors. Every one of these and countless thousands of other projects put smiles on faces and builds camaraderie among all people without exceptions.” The club supports and participates in service projects in the community and throughout the world, including annually providing dictionaries for every third-grade student in the Peoria Unified School District. The club’s signature service project is The Prom Closet, which provides free formal attire each spring to high school students attending their school proms. The club's annual installation program -- or "Commotion" as we like to call it -- is a fun event that celebrates our "family" of Rotary. To kick off the program, Past President Vern, President Steve and DG Kevin Pitts competed in a friendly game of "Rotary Jeopardy." Questions tested their knowledge of Rotary, and the club donated a total of $500 to End Polio Now in each contestant's name. The club also celebrated a great 2022-23 year and thanked outgoing President Vern for his leadership and accomplishments. | 
