Riverbend Rotary

Riverbend Rotary Club Celebrates Presidential Changeover

The Riverbend Rotary Club proudly celebrated the transition of leadership at its annual Changeover Dinner, held on June 26th at Moonlight Restaurant.

During this special evening, current 2024–2025 President Eric McRoy ceremoniously passed the honorary gavel to Monica Bristow, who will serve as the club’s 2025–2026 President.

This event marked a moment of gratitude for President McRoy’s dedicated service and a warm welcome to incoming President Bristow as she prepares to lead the club into another impactful year of service and community engagement.

The Riverbend Rotary looks forward to continuing its mission under President Bristow’s leadership and thanks all members and guests who joined in this meaningful celebration.

Other current officers positions remain the same and we applaud them as well for their services over the past year(s).

If you are interested in becoming a member please reach out to us on Facebook Messenger, a current member or at Riverbendrotary.com.

At today’s Riverbend Rotary meeting, Rotarians learned more about the Oasis Women’s Center from Gale Lee, client services coordinator, and Margarette Trushel, executive director. Located in Alton, Oasis provides emergency shelter and supportive services to victims of domestic violence.

Earlier this year, Riverbend Rotary awarded $1000 to Oasis as part of its Small Grant Big Impact grant, which provides funds for new clothing and shoes for women and children who stay at Oasis.

Said Gale: "The small grant, big impact grant really IS a big impact. The smiles are endless for days when we take them shopping for clothes -- without restrictions -- on what they can buy."

Learn more about Oasis and the five counties they serve: https://oasiswomenscenter.org

We are blessed to have this organization and such loving staff in our community! ❤️

Join Riverbend Rotary this Thursday, May 1 inside the Wedge Innovation Center for the National Day of Prayer, starting at 8 am.

During the hour-long event, you’ll hear prayer proclamations from Alton Mayor Pro Tem Stephanie Elliott & Godfrey Economic Development Director Jim Mager, as well as prayers for:

--Firefighters, Law Enforcement & Emergency Responders - Alton Police Department Chaplain Marc Lane
--The Future of our Youth - Keith Neuber, Kreative Kids Learning Center
--Health Care Facilities & Workers - Sister M. Beata, FSGM, OSF Saint Anthony's Health Center
--Education – Elaine Kane, Alton Community School District #11
--Family – Erin Bickle, Refuge
--Media – Mark Ellebracht, 107.1 FM - The Big Z
--Military – 2nd Lt Colleen Scott, Medical Service Corps Officer - 183rd Wing, Springfield IL
--Government & Elected Officials – Rosetta Brown, City of Alton, Illinois
--Business – Kyndra & Troy Green, Gumbo 2 Geaux
--Church & National Unity for the Common Good – Pastor Alan Abert, Illinois Great Rivers Conference – The United Methodist Church

No reservations required - come pray with us at this uplifting event!! 🙏❤️

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people to pray for the nation. Created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, the National Day of Prayer has been localized here in the Riverbend since 2010, thanks to Riverbend Rotary.

Spend an hour in prayerful peace at our Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 1, as we lift up government, business, health care, military, education, media and more in prayer.

The event starts at 8 am inside the Wedge Innovation Center in Alton – and is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available.