VFW helps with Toys For Tots

Watch City VFW Post 1307 in Elgin is a co-sponsor of this year's Marine Corps Toys For Tots campaign, which will provide toys for underprivileged children this Christmas. The post is at 1601 Weld Road. A large collection box is at the front door for unwrapped toys. Donations also can be made at toysfortots.org or a check made payable to "Toys for Tots" may be left at the VFW Post. Toys collected at the VFW are distributed locally throughout the Fox Valley to children who would otherwise not receive any. Call (847) 888-9809 for more information.

Volunteers for recycling program

Kane County is seeking adult volunteers to assist with its electronics recycling program. Volunteers are needed to help unload electronics equipment such as computers, televisions and telephones from the public's vehicles. The program operates on the second Friday and Saturday of each month at the Circuit Clerk building on Randall Road in St. Charles. Since the program began in 2001, more than 38,000 residents and businesses have recycled more than 4.3 million pounds of used electronics. For details, call the county's recycling office at (630) 208-3841or e-mail recycle@co.kane.il.us.

Grant to help DNA backlog

Illinois State Police have been awarded a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to reduce the state's current DNA evidence backlog. The funding will provide overtime compensation to employees directly engaged in the handling, screening and analysis of DNA forensic evidence, and to purchase supplies for the state police forensic science laboratory system.