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

Representatives from the Rochelle Area Community Foundation, Pegasus Special Riders, the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry and the Hub City Senior Center 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. HOPE of Ogle County, Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center, CASA and Focus House accepted checks last week.

Eckhardt said in From the Heart’s early years, each of its groups got $10,000. But it only had two beneficiary organizations then. He wants to return to giving checks for that amount — to each of the eight nonprofits — next year.

"This is the greatest part of the whole event, giving away the money,” Eckhardt said. “A lot of that was thanks to city officials and its staff. Without calendar sales, we don't get to where we are. For our 15th anniversary next February, our goal is going to be to raise $80,000. That's what we'll strive for this upcoming year.”

RACF Executive Director Emily Anaya thanked From the Heart and Rotary for the donation. This was her first year participating in the event, which she called unique and said it was clear why it was well-supported. 

RACF offers those with a philanthropic heart simple ways to give back to the community through endowment. Its largest is the RACF endowment and it has different types of funds. 

“There are so many ways that donors can contribute to the community through RACF,” Anaya said. “We also work with our nonprofit partners in the community. We also support people in the six zip codes that surround Rochelle and we were able to provide 29 grant applicants last year with grant money from donations we received from our donors. We're very excited to continue to grow and continue to work with Rotary."

Pegasus Special Riders Treasurer Nancy Reed attended the meeting and accepted the check for her organization. Pegasus Special Riders is a therapeutic riding facility that is located off Flagg Road on the way to Lost Nation. It has had riders of all ages from various area special-needs organizations along with just individuals. 

“We're new to From the Heart,” Reed said. “We're really honored to be able to participate.” 

Lolly O’Rorke attended and accepted on behalf of the Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, which distributes food to those in need in the community. She said the RCFP also offers delivery if someone needs it. 

“We're thankful for you and everything you're doing,” O’Rorke said to From the Heart and Rotary representatives.

Hub City Senior Center Executive Director Diana King accepted her organization’s check and spoke about what HCSC does. It provides programming for seniors ages 60 and older to keep them independent and in their home. Programming promotes physical, mental and social wellbeing for seniors. Transportation anywhere throughout Rochelle is also provided.

After being named executive director last year, this was King’s first time working with From the Heart and Rotary.

“The gala was great and I had a great time,” King said. “I was shocked at all the support and money that was raised. Thank you. This money will go to helping our seniors. We don't charge for any of the programs that we do. This will help us continue to be able to do that.”