ROCHELLE —  At Tuesday’s meeting of the Rochelle Rotary Club, From the Heart President and Founder Dave Eckhardt and Rotary President Sarah Flanagan presented four $8,500 checks to local nonprofits from the recent From the Heart Gala. 

Representatives from HOPE of Ogle County, Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center, CASA and Focus House all received checks Tuesday. The From the Heart Gala raised a record of just over $68,000 in its 14th year. That money is split evenly between eight nonprofits. 

“I don't care how long I've done this for,” Eckhardt said. “This is the best part of the whole event right now.” 

Executive Director for Foundation for Focus House Jeni Hardin said From the Heart is one of her foundation’s biggest contributors.

"On behalf of all of us from Focus House and the foundation, thank you so much,” Hardin said. “We really can't do what we do without you guys. For Rotary and everyone that donated and came to the event and supports Focus House, we appreciate you.”

CASA Executive Director Trisha Tayon said she was extremely appreciative of the donation, especially in a year where CASA had to cancel fundraisers. Her organization recruits volunteers that serve abused and neglected children in the court system in Ogle County. 

“Last year we served the most children we ever have,” Tayon said. “Our caseload has grown quite a bit and this will help with our training program and allow us to support more volunteers.”

Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center serves Ogle and Lee Counties and works with kids and their families who have been victims of physical and sexual abuse. It is in its 20th year serving locally and Executive Director Jessica Cash said she’s proud to be a big part of the community and help children heal. 

“We are working on expanding our services in Ogle County, so this money will go towards that and our office we have in Oregon that serves Rochelle kids,” Cash said. “Last year we served over 300 kids with about 189 being from Ogle County. We appreciate your support every year and it's a big part of our budget.”

HOPE of Ogle County helps survivors of domestic violence with shelter, counseling and court advocacy services and serves all of Ogle County and northeast Lee County. Last year it served 475 individuals, 103 of which were children, Executive Director Ruth Carter said. 

“The help that Rotary provides HOPE, not just with From The Heart, is very appreciated,” Carter said. “We've been able to increase our services in the past year. These funds are flexible funds for most of our agencies and allow us to do things and improve upon our facilities and our agency services in a way we can't with our grant funding. We really appreciate it.”

Checks to the Rochelle Area Community Foundation, Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, Pegasus Special Riders and the Hub City Senior Center will be presented next week. Eckhardt said next year’s goal for the From the Heart gala is to distribute $10,000 to each nonprofit.