Pekin Rotary was honored to recognize Dale Sandrock as our newest Difference Maker Award recipient.

Raised in North Pekin, Dale has never forgotten the community that helped shape him. Several years ago, he noticed members of the Georgetown Middle School track team running along the streets to practice. Curious, he asked school officials where the team trained. Their answer was simple: they didn’t have a track—they practiced on the road.

Rather than accepting that as the way things were, Dale saw an opportunity to give back.

After discussing the idea with his wife, Lela Sandrock, the two set out to build a running track for the students. But their vision didn’t stop there. As the project grew, so did their dream.

Today, what began as a single running track has become a remarkable 14-acre sports complex featuring a running track, a soccer field, two baseball fields, picnic pavilions, concessions, and restrooms—a place where young athletes, families, and the community can gather, compete, and create lasting memories.

The sports complex is only one example of the Sandrocks’ generosity. Their desire to improve the lives of others has also benefited local senior citizens through the donation of a brand-new transportation van to the Miller Center, helping older adults remain active, connected, and engaged in our community.

Dale and Lela have never sought recognition. They simply see a need and quietly go to work serving others. Their generosity has touched every generation—from children taking their first lap around a track to seniors who now have reliable transportation.

The Difference Maker Award celebrates people who don’t wait for someone else to solve a problem. They see a need, take action, and leave their community better than they found it.

We are grateful for Dale and Lela Sandrock’s example and proud to recognize Dale Sandrock as a true Difference Maker.