Rotary Club of Palatine distributes allocations

The Rotary Club of Palatine distributed checks to 43 organizations from the proceeds of last year’s Oktoberfest as part of their 2026 allocation program on February 26th at The Cotillion in Palatine.

The 2025 Oktoberfest was held September 19th through the 21st in downtown Palatine. The money raised allowed the Rotary Club of Palatine to distribute just over $75,000 at the allocations event titled “A Night of Impact.”

Over the 17 years the Rotary Club of Palatine has hosted Oktoberfest, they have been able to donate well over $1 million dollars to non-profits and community organizations within the Palatine footprint.

“This is one of the reasons I joined the Rotary Club of Palatine,” said Joe Mazzocchi, President of The Rotary Club of Palatine. “When I see how we’ve helped within our community and around the world, I realize that all of the hard work we do throughout the year is worthwhile.”

This year’s donations were split between 43 different organizations which serve the Palatine community and that had contacted the Rotary Club of Palatine requesting assistance. The donations spanned a wide range with an average amount of about $2,000. The donation amount was determined by the allocations committee based on the need exhibited in the request and the impact that the donation would have on the community.

Some of the groups that the Rotary Club of Palatine donated to this year are Palatine Township Senior Center, Partners for Our Community, Palatine Fire Department Explorers, Faith Feeds, Journeys the Road Home, St. Josephs Home for the Elderly, WINGS, and the American Cancer Society’s Palatine Relay for Life.

“We had an excellent Oktoberfest that allowed the Rotary Club of Palatine to help those in need within our community,” said Mazzocchi. “It’s a great feeling to be part of an organization that can give back so much especially when so many have had to cut back in recent years.”

The Rotary Club of Palatine invites interested men and women of the Palatine community to learn more about Rotary. “Those interested in joining our dynamic service organization are welcome to come and learn more about the good work that Rotary does both in our community and around the globe at one of our weekly meetings,” said Mazzocchi. “If you would like to attend a meeting email us at info@palatinerotary.org and we’ll make the arrangements.”

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. The Rotary Club of Palatine represents a cross-section of the community, business, educational, civic and governmental agencies.

The Rotary motto is Service Above Self. They meet every Tuesday at 7:30 AM at Annie’s Restaurant and Pancake House at 154 West Northwest Highway in Palatine. For more information, visit the club at PalatineRotary.org or facebook.com/Rotary-Club-of-Palatine.