Libertyville Sunrise Rotary raises $25,000 for local charities

Libertyville Sunrise Rotary recently held its semiannual fundraiser, a wine tasting event, that raised $25,000 for local charities.

With the support of Main Street Social, the fundraising event consisted of two wine tastings held on Oct. 2 and 9. Between the two days, more than 100 attendees showed their support by purchasing tickets for the wine tasting and participating in a 50/50 raffle.

The 50/50 raffle winner was Libertyville Sunrise Rotary's president, Rich Schoeneman, who graciously donated the majority of his winnings. The club was able to give $5,000 to Equestrian Connection, the raffle beneficiary.

"I'm grateful for the community support in our fundraising for local charities. We can both have fun and generate funding for these groups who give so much to our most needy residents. A shout out to our sponsors, club members, volunteers and our partnership with Main Street Social, who work long hours to make this event a smashing success," Schoeneman said.

The event's primary recipient, Equestrian Connection, provides equine-assisted therapy to improve the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children and adults with special needs. Since its founding, the organization has helped thousands of children and adults with special needs improve their quality of life.

Since its inception in 1987, the Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club has donated millions of dollars to both local and international charities, including programs to promote literacy, programs to combat hunger, and support for the eradication of polio, as well as numerous local charities, food pantries and scholarship programs.

Anyone who wishes to join the club is encouraged to attend one of the weekly meetings Wednesday mornings at Lambs Farm.

For more information about Libertyville Sunrise Rotary, visit portal.clubrunner.ca/2389.

For more information about Equestrian Connection, visit equestrianconnection.org.