ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Moose Lodge at 311 N. Main St. celebrated its 95th birthday in May 2024, but Deb Bolin, its administrator, said Dec. 17 it’s currently in danger of closing due to financial difficulties. The Rochelle Moose is a members-only club and is seeking support, patronage and donations from its current members, along with new members, to keep its doors open. 

The Rochelle Moose took to its Facebook page on Dec. 16 and reached out to the community and said it has around $3,000 worth of bills due in the middle of January including licenses, taxes and fees that it currently does not have the funds to pay. The Moose has seen “lower attendance” in recent months. It has approximately 430 members, but Bolin estimates only 50 members are active and attend functions at the Lodge and patronize it. 

Membership dues to the Moose cost $50 per year. Of that $50, only about $12 goes to the local Rochelle Lodge. The rest goes to Moose International for the causes of Mooseheart and Moosehaven. Mooseheart is a residential childcare facility for children and teens in need, from infancy through high school. Moosehaven is a private membership retirement facility for members. 

“The $12 we receive from dues is not enough to cover utilities and all other expenses,” the Facebook post said. “We are asking every member to make a donation, no matter the size, to help save your lodge! The larger your donation the better for your lodge's financial situation. It would be awesome if every member would make a $20 donation! But again any amount is greatly appreciated even if it is $5.”

Donations can be dropped off with the bartender at the Rochelle Moose or mailed to Rochelle Moose Family Center, 311 N. Main St., Rochelle, Illinois 61068. Checks can be made payable to Rochelle Moose marked "Save Your Lodge Fund". The Rochelle Moose can be reached at 815-562-4286. 

“We're a nonprofit,” Bolin said. “But that doesn't stop the bills from coming in and we still have to pay taxes. Since we're members only, we don't have a lot of people coming through here and spending money. We're struggling. That's why we're hoping to get some support from our current members and new members. We started doing regular bingo nights, and that didn't pan out like we thought. People don't have the money to spare. They're just not coming out like they used to. We used to pack this place on a Friday night. I know the economy plays into it. I know we're not the only place that's struggling.”

Nonmembers can go into the Moose as guests of a member three times before deciding if they want to join. Purchases have to be made at The Moose by a member. The Lodge serves food on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and sometimes Saturdays, and is open every day of the year besides Christmas. Bolin said The Moose prides itself on cheap food and drink prices for members. 

Moose Treasurer Pat Maronde said opening The Moose to the public to increase revenue is not an option, because it would jeopardize the local lodge’s status with Moose International. 

Bolin said the Moose needs to see an increase in funds by mid-January. 

“If our needs aren't met, this place is in danger of closing,” Bolin said. “It's stressful. I don't sleep. I'm constantly trying to think of what else I can do. I've even given my own money to try to keep up here. We give as much as we can. I'm worried. I try to bring things in here for raffles, but what we've been doing so far hasn't been working out.”

Along with supporting Mooseheart and Moosehaven, The Rochelle Moose also recognizes local veterans with a dinner each year, hosts Girl Scouts meetings each week, and participates in Lincoln Highway Heritage Festival events each year and brings the Mooseheart kids to it at the local lodge’s expense.

Bolin called the support the Moose does see from its small group of involved members “amazing.” The Lodge recently received some donations after its board detailed the financial issues in its newsletter.

“We have a long way to go,” Maronde said. “But we're getting there. Things like that have helped. We've seen our members aging out over the years. I think that's part of this situation. And the younger ones just don't have any idea what the Moose is all about.”

The Moose has seen some younger members join recently. Children of members are welcome at the lodge. The Moose recently had a day with Santa and gave gifts to children and grandchildren of members.

Bolin and Maronde said that The Moose has been a community cornerstone for 95 years and they’d like to see it continue that way and reach the 100-year mark in Rochelle. 

“We're open every day, except for Christmas,” Bolin said. “I come down here on Thanksgivings. One of our members told me once that this may be the only place that somebody has to go on days like that. We might be a haven for somebody that has nobody and nothing on Thanksgiving. That means a lot to me. That's what we strive to do. This can be a haven. This is a friendly place that makes people feel at home and comfortable. We strive to be a place where people can come and be happy.  People depend on it. This is where their friends are and where they can talk to people. Closing would leave people without a place to go.”