Schaumburg-Hoffman Rotary Club names third-generation president

Shortly after celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Rotary Club of Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates has named third-generation member Wes Crocket - grandson of Fabbrini's Flowers founder Joe Fabbrini - as its 51st president.

The drive-in "Installation with Separation" ceremony was held June 25 in the Hoffman Estates Park District's Joseph L. Fabbrini Park - named for the man who served as an early park commissioner, joined the Rotary Club only two months after its founding, and opened what is now regarded as Hoffman Estates' oldest continual business in 1966.

"Community service was a hallmark of grandpa's persona," Crocket told fellow Rotary members. "He taught all of us about hard work and commitment. For us, Joe was our guiding light."

The new president's ties to Rotary come not only from his maternal grandfather, but also his uncle, Jim Fabbrini, who continues to run Fabbrini's Flowers, and his father, Don Crocket, who joined the service organization in 1995.

Wes Crocket is a 2005 graduate of Hoffman Estates High School who went on to study industrial/organizational psychology and hospitality administration at Argosy University Chicago and Southern Illinois University. He is now director of operations for remodeler Mahogany Builders in Chicago,

He thanked his parents, uncle and late grandfather for teaching him the value of community service.

"It is a special honor to serve in my grandfather's Rotary club, next to my father and my uncle, whom I'm lucky to see every week," Wes Crocket said.

He called on his fellow Rotarians to commit themselves to a second half-century of helping others.

"I want us to continue our club's outstanding commitment to education and both funding and hands-on support of our local community partners," Crocket said. "I look forward to maintaining the club's energy and vitality in making a difference for those who need us most."

Over the past 50 years, the Rotary Club of Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates club has raised more than $5 million for the community and volunteered more than 2,100 hours annually to hands-on projects. Most recently, it has donated more than $28,000 to those most affected by the coronavirus.

More information about the club can be found at its website or Facebook page.