Lake County public service

Calls for volunteers and events that benefit the public, such as social service clubs, call for donations of items, blood drives, bone marrow drives, food pantry drives, food giveaways, etc. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Jan. 27

Allendale meeting for new volunteers: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, Bradley Counseling Center, Proops Development Center, 420 Grand Ave., Lake Villa. Learn about volunteer opportunities at the Allendale Association, a nonprofit facility for troubled children. Hot chocolate, apple cider and other treats will be served. There are a range of volunteer opportunities available, many of which don't require a large time commitment, including mentoring, working in the thrift store, gardening, and fostering. For information, call Laura Craemer, at (847) 245-6483.

Candidate forum: 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, Barrington Public Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Candidates for the 8th Congressional District on the November ballot will speak and answer audience questions. Hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Barrington Area.

How to Make and Stick to a Budget: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, Warren Township Youth and Family Services, 17801 W. Washington St., Gurnee. Free workshop for people looking to discipline their spending and set a strategy to deal with debt and savings. Childcare available. To register, call (847) 244-1101, ext. 401, or visit warrentownship.net and click "Youth."

Feb. 13

Clothes for the needy: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Saturday of each month, St. Andrew Episcopal Church's Elijah's Mantle for Children in Need community service project, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake. Clothing in sizes ranging from infant to 16 boys and girls is available. There is no cost. Donations of gently used children's clothing in good condition are always welcome. For details, visit standrewsgrayslake.org or call (847) 223-2310.

Ongoing

Pennies-for-PADS: Through Jan. 30, Lake Villa District Library, 1001 E. Grand Ave., Lake Villa. Children and teens can pick up a reading log at the Youth Services Desk (for children) or Adult Services Desk (for teens) and join the winter reading program. For every hour participants read, LVDL will donate $1 (up to $5 per participant) to Lake County PADS. The library will also set out jars into which patrons of all ages can drop their spare change. For information, call (847) 356-7711 or visit lvdl.org. For information on PADS, visit lakecountypads.org.

Greyhounds Only: The Dairyland Greyhound Park in Kenosha, Wis., recently closed, leaving around 500 dogs in need of homes. Greyhounds Only rescue group is looking for people to foster or provide temporary shelter for dogs or donate money, dog food, or large crates. To help out, call Greyhounds Only at (847) 421-9828 or (773) 297-4739 or Sue Purdom at (815) 501-3533.

Grant Township Food Pantry: Drop items off from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, Grant Township Supervisor's office, 26725 W. Molidor Road, Ingleside. The pantry food is running low; nonperishable items such as canned goods, peanut butter, pancake mix, syrup, etc. are needed. Items such as toiletries would also be greatly appreciated.

Clothes Closet and Food Pantry: Receive goods from 10 a.m. to noon the second and fourth Saturday each month; goods collected 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, The Edge Church, 42 E. Grand Ave., Suite 102., Fox Lake. Must be a resident of Fox Lake or Ingleside to receive goods. For information, call (630) 287-1592.

Boy Scout Troop 275: 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday, Community Church of Round Lake, 217 Goodnow Blvd., Round Lake. Troop 275 participates in monthly camp outs, service projects and adventure activities. Open to boys ages 11-17. Call (847) 715-6511 or e-mail inthecourt@sbcglobal.com.

Tree and bench donations: The Vernon Hills Park District offers residents and neighbors the opportunity to honor a special person or commemorate an event by donating a tree or bench in a district park. Trees range from $225-$475 depending on the species selected, and can be personalized with a bronze plaque, which is sold at cost. Benches may be purchased for donation at a cost of $700, and personalized with a bronze plaque. Prices for plaques start at $70. The Tree & Bench Donation order form can be found online at vhparkdistrict.org or at the Park District Community Centers. For more information, call Cheryl Baron, at (847) 996-6933.

Pooch Pantry: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Lake County Animal Control, 29278 N. Highway 83, Mundelein. Accepting donations of dry and canned dog and cat food, treats and domestic bird food; gift cards for PetSmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus; cat litter; resealable plastic bags; and pet welfare goods such as bowls and toys. The Pooch Pantry will be open for families in need from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For information, call (847) 566-1960.

Eli Skinner Chapter, NSDAR: The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is seeking volunteers to make wool caps for the troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and South Korea. Wool head covering which can be worn under the Kevlar helmet provides warmth to the head and neck, but does not restrict vision. Patterns are available at www.geocities.com/helmetliner. For details, contact helmetliner@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 236, Auburn, IL 62615.

Electronics recycling: 8 a.m. to noon, the first Saturday of each month, Wauconda Township Highway Department, at 505 W. Bonner Road, Wauconda. All Wauconda Township residents are invited to bring in electronic recyclables. Items accepted include computers and computer components, video games, televisions, VCR/DVD players, cameras, radios and accessories, phones, and more. For more information call the Township Office at (847) 526-2631.

Allendale Association: A not-for-profit children's facility in Lake Villa, looking for qualified volunteers to work directly with children or on other projects. Help a child develop positive relationships with adults, share gardening knowledge in the vocational horticultural center, evaluate a student's Individual Education Plans and meet with the child's therapeutic team, work in the thrift store, or help in other ways. To learn more, visit www.allendale4kids.org.

Knit or crochet for babies: The Waukegan Area Branch of American Association of University Women is looking for people to knit or crochet baby hats for babies born at Vista Medical Center East. Call (847) 244-7926.

Avon Township Food Pantry: Grayslake Area Public Li­brary, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Drop off packaged and canned food items. This is an ongoing, year-round collection. For information, call (847) 223-5313.

Recycle Printer or Copier cartridges: Grayslake Area Public Li­brary, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Drop off any printer (inkjet or laser) or copier cartridges for recycling. For information, call (847) 223-5313.

Beth Am Food Pantry: Food distribution takes place from 12:30-2 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month at 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Nonperishable food donations are always welcome. (847) 459-1677.

Paper drive: 9:30-10 a.m. and 11 a.m. the third Sunday of each month, Grace Lutheran Church, 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville. Church youth will man the church recycling bin to assist with the unloading of cars. The bin is in place every day. A portion of the cash credits for all paper donations will be used toward a green gift for the community. For information, visit aboutgracelutheran.org/paperdrive.html or call (847) 367-7050.