ROCHELLE — At its weekly meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Rochelle Rotary Club presented a donation of $4,150 to the Rochelle Community Action Network (CAN) from a recent fundraiser. The funds will support CAN’s upcoming annual holiday shopping trip on Dec. 12.

The Rotary Club’s fundraiser took place Nov. 22 at Luna, and included live music by Buzzed By Sonset, auctions and more to raise funds. That night was sponsored by law firm Peterson, Johnson & Murray and Bearrows Estate & Auction Co. The event was also sponsored by its venue, Luna, and Owner Jim Withers matched the funds raised that night to add to Rotary’s donation. 

“Thanks to everybody that came out and donated,” Rotary Member Josh Carney said. “We hope that it goes a long way and we're sure that it will.”

CAN’s annual Shopping Trip event for area families in need will take place at the First Presbyterian Church. Through donations, the annual Christmas Children’s Shopping Trip sees hundreds of children referred by local schools, churches and nonprofit agencies attend and receive basic clothing items and more. Children and local volunteer shoppers are shuttled by the Lee-Ogle Transportation System to Walmart with gift cards for each of them. Shoppers are given lists of needs and sizes for each child, and kids pick out a toy as well. 

The event also features a spaghetti dinner, visits with Santa and toys donated by the Hub City Cruisers car club. Coats and shoes are also available for attendees. The event is CAN’s biggest of the year, and the shopping trip was started by the Rochelle Jaycees back in the 1980s before other community organizations got involved. The shopping trip has been able to cater to more and more children over the years. 

“On behalf of CAN, we just want to say thank you to the Rochelle Rotary Club for their donation and for organizing that night on Nov. 22,” CAN President Michelle Pease said. “This is a lot of money for CAN. We're really, really grateful. Thank you.”