ROCHELLE — Preparations for the Rochelle Rotary Club’s 11th annual From the Heart gala are underway.
The event is being held Saturday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Stillman Room at Abraham’s Grille and Lounge.
The elegant dinner and auction helps raise money for several different local non-profit agencies that serve the Rochelle area. The fund recipients include HOPE of Ogle County, Rochelle Child Care Center, Hub City Senior Center, Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, Shining Star, Rochelle Area Community Foundation, Focus House and CASA.
Dave Eckhardt, From the Heart chairman, said in past years there have been four recipients. A decision was made last year to include all eight non-profit organizations as recipients, splitting the funds equally.
“There are many exciting and valuable items up for bid along with several drawings throughout the evening,” Eckhardt said.
Last year’s event raised $48,000 for the local non-profits. Eckhardt hopes the event will raise even more than that this year.

Quilt raffle

Along with the dinner and silent auction, various raffles will also be held, including the Quilt Raffle.
The quilt raffle has been a staple of the event for many years and has raised thousands of dollars. Squares are available for $20 each — a total of 121 squares — for chances to win a quilt made by Deanie Springmire.
Springmire, who passed away in January 2017, made a quilt for the From the Heart event each year. This year’s quilt will be the last.
Quilt raffle squares can be purchased at First State Bank.

For an auction list, please visit the event’s website at www.fromtheheartrochelle.org, or check the Facebook page “From The Heart.”
Visitors to the website and Facebook pages are asked to check back often, as the list is frequently updated as items are still being received.
To purchase tickets or for more information on the event contact Eckhardt at 815-562-2200.