Dear Editor,
The Rochelle Rotary Club’s International project  this year was to provide desks for more than 4,300 students in Bhopal, India. A fundraiser appropriately called “India Night” was held on Friday, June 8 at the Hickory Grove. The response was far beyond our expectations and we exceeded the goal.
A project like this and the event to raise funds would not have been possible without the participation of many, many people. We would like to thank the following groups and individuals:
The leadership of the Rochelle Rotary Club and DGN Bobbi Burke and members who helped decorate, sell tickets and participate. Special thanks to Sarah Flanagan, Jim May, Stan Elson and Terry Dickow for helping with the silent auction.

Thank you to the Interact Club members of Rochelle Township High School and faculty advisor Allison Vrana and president Kelsey Thompson and her board, Robin Baldwin Gounaris of Hickory Grove, Chris Haas of Hub Printing, Lori Hammelman and the Rochelle News-Leader, Gary Peterson and WRHL Radio, and radio host Michael Koolidge, who was the emcee.
Artists who performed, including Dr. Promod Vohra, Dr. Anjali Patil, henna artist Daksha Patel and folk dance teacher Dr. Goswami.
All those who sponsored tables, including First State Bank of Rochelle, Pauline Brass and family, Unger-Horner Funeral Home and the Rochelle Community Hospital.
Major contributors from $ 200 to $500 include Mr. Manish Patel of Liquor N Wine, Rajni, Prem Sud and family, Dr and Mrs. Jagdish Patel, Mr. and Mrs. Rajan Gopal, Esther, John Prabhakar and family, The Hindu Worship Society of DeKalb, Deepak Jyoti Patel, Dr. and Mrs. Persaud, Ms. Shakun Kumar, Ms. Sneh Sarup, Ms. Suman Gupta, Ms. Suman Krishnan, Dr. and Mrs. PR Ramanathan, Drs. Panna and Umesh Goswami, Chowdhary and Sushmita Prathapadi and the Rotary Club of LaSalle, and Mr. and Mrs. Natesh Patel.
Thank you to the 186 guests who came, participated and enjoyed the event as well as all the others who bought tickets generously just to show support and those who helped in many ways to make it a success.
With grateful thanks and appreciation,
John and Esther
Prabhakar