Service Organizations
Chillicothe, Illinois is home to several community-based service groups. A service organization is a voluntary and often non-profit organization where members meet regularly for networking, donating time for local projects, raising money for other organizations and some international projects. Membership benefits include social occasions, networking and personal growth opportunities encouraging involvement.
Service groups typically share the same name, goals, membership requirements, and meeting structure. Many of these clubs meet weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly on a recurring established day and time, commonly at a mealtime.
Service clubs need commitment from members of the community to thrive. Consider joining one or two of the following clubs. Make a difference!
Chillicothe Circle of Service, Inc.
The Chillicothe Circle of Service (formerly Altrusa) was newly reorganized June 1, 2019. It is a group of local women from diversified backgrounds who are dedicated to improving their community by personal service. We are 45 members strong and growing.
Chillicothe Circle of Service has its own Board of Directors, a strong community system, and regular meetings allowing every member to become personally involved in Club projects and decisions.
The Circle is recognized locally for the significant contributions of its membership to the community. Some areas for which we offered assistance in 2019 are:
- IVC High School Scholarships -- Terri Lynn Nut Sale funded three $1,500 scholarships
- Christmas Charity -- $1,025 to Corey James of "Freedom Paws" (Therapy Dogs for PTSDF Vets)
- Community Needs -- Kroger gift cards for Easter and candy for Christmas baskets -- plus several other projects
- Literacy Projects -- Five books each to area grade school libraries on "Ethnic and Cultural Diversity".
- School Supplies -- $860 in gift cards divided among 7 area schools
- Heritage Senior Health
- Love-In-Action Food Pantry
- Santa's Brunch
- Center for Prevention of Abuse
The Circle meets once a month on the 2nd Tuesday at the Chillicothe Public Library at 5:30 p.m. (no meetings January & February). We serve a catered dinner before the meeting and an informative speaker is often provided. Our annual membership fee is $50.00.
To learn more about Chillicothe Circle of Service, Inc., please contact President, Pat Parr, at lpparr59@gmail.com.
Optimist Club
Optimist Club brings a positive outlook and the commitment to creating a more optimistic future for kids is what differentiates Optimist Clubs from any other volunteer opportunity. This club was formed by people who wanted to reach out to help youth and the community. From sponsoring youth athletic leagues to conducting oratorical contest for young people – Optimist Clubs are responding to the special needs of our local community. We are 65 members strong and growing.
The programs and guest speakers offer the Members an opportunity to learn, grow and improve themselves. The program features the youth in the community as in the Essay and oratorical contest or in the Youth Appreciation activities.
The Optimist Club purchased the Chillicothe Town Theatre. The proceeds from the tickets sold go to local non-profits and benefit children.Optimist fundraising projects include:
February - Organize the Photo and art contest and announce winners at the Eagle Watch Breakfast
May - Annual Garage Sale
June - Home Run Festival & Flag Day Sales
September - Chili Supper
December - Toy Drive for Community Needs & Christmas Bonanza
In 2019, the Optimist Club raised funds through local donations to purchase an Eagle Viewing Telescope and donated to the Chillicothe Park District at Shore Acres.
The Optimist Club meets the 1st & 3rd Saturday at Grecian Gardens at 8am. Dues are $75 annually.
If you are interested in joining the Optimist Club contact President, Cheryl Duckworth at chillioptimist12065@gmail.com or reach her by phone at 309-231-9396. Membership is $75 per year.
Chillicothe Lions Club
The Chillicothe Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International, the largest Service Club Organization with more than 1.3 Million members, in 45,000 clubs, in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917 Lions Clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. We are 19 members strong.
Some of but not all of our Local Chillicothe projects are:
- Two $1000 College Scholarships to IVC Students
- Sponsor the IVC National Honor Society Banquet
- Support the IVC Project Graduation
- Give each Elementary School $600 for teachers to use in their classrooms at the school year startup
- Host the Lions International Foundation Hearing Bus at the Pearce Center
- Host the Lions International Foundation Vision testing Bus at the Pearce Center
- Pay for Vision testing and eyeglasses for Chillicothe citizens in need
- Donated to the Eagle Viewing Telescope
- Donated to the Chillicothe Veterans Memorial
Business meetings 2nd Wednesday of every month 7:00 pm at the Pearce Community Center. Any one is Welcome to come to our meetings and check us out. Our Social Meetings (with Spouses) is the 4th Wednesday of every month, 6:15pm at restaurant determined at the business meeting.
If you are interested in joining the Chillicothe Lions Club contact President, Bill Stoop at billstoops1@yahoo.com or by phone at 309-397-9071.
Chillicothe Rotary Club
The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was formed in 1905 by Paul Harris, an attorney who wanted to create in a professional club with the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices.
Rotary of Chillicothe is part of Rotary International and offers opportunities for our members — and those interested in making a difference — to get involved. Through meetings, social events, and volunteer projects, our members learn about the issues facing our community and communities all over the world, partnering with local, national, and global experts to exchange ideas about potential solutions and to draw up action plans to respond. Along with these opportunities to serve, members also are able to regularly network, resulting in lifelong friendships and business connections.
Solving real problems takes real effort, commitment, and vision. Rotarians work to protect communities from preventable disease, keep women and children healthy, improve education and economic outcomes, create safe water and sanitation infrastructure, and make our community and the world a more peaceful place.
We are working with various partners on the following projects:
River Corridor Walkway Landscape Project- Replaced the Eagle Statue in Eagle Landing Park for City of Chillicothe
- Host a breakfast for the IVC Sterling Merit scholars
- Donate and participate at the annual Sterling Merit Awards banquet and ceremony at the Peoria Civic Center
- Host a breakfast for the IVC German student exchange and donate towards their field trip
- Partner with Lions Club to host the Eagle Watch pancake breakfast, 2nd Saturday in February at Shore Acres Clubhouse
- Host Halloween party for Crabel Court Disabled Residents
- Donated to Cuddles for Kindness
- Donated to Community Needs
- Donated to Pearce Community Center Christmas in July program
- Donated to Rotary District Agricultural Project in Zambia
- Ending polio — Partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF to end polio, once and for all
The Chillicothe Rotary Club meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at Grecian Gardens from 7am-8am. Dues are $125 annually or $62.50 bi-annually.
If you are interested in joining the Chillicothe Rotary Club contact the President, Amanda Beadles abeadles@cityofchillicotheil.org or by phone at 309-274-3107.