Help make a difference by giving time, talent

Nothing is more satisfying than making a difference in someone's life. It takes no talent, little time and often doesn't cost a dime.

Can you sew? Drive? Write? Do yard work? Give blood?

Wheaton has long had a history of enthusiastic volunteerism, and the Community Relations Commission wants to tap into that spirit with a list of suggestions on how each of us can make a difference Oct. 27.

The activity may take place on one day, but the spirit will last all year. It may be October, but Christmas is already in the air -- or at least in the stores.

One of the commission's on-going activities is the adoption of the 1st Battalion, now stationed in Iraq. Stockings stuffed with small personal items will be shipped to the troops in November.

A seamstress could whip up one or more of these stockings from fabric left over from other projects.

Or a stocking could be purchased from a dollar store and filled with such items as playing cards, candy, beef jerky, a disposable camera and hygiene products.

Deliver the stockings and gift items to Wheaton's commuter parking lot No. 9, just east of the police station on West Liberty Drive, Oct. 27 and Operation Support Our Troops will take it from there.

After dropping off your donation, walk over to city hall, 303 W. Wesley St., and donate a pint of blood. For details or to make an appointment between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., visit www.wheaton.il.us.

Many in the city's business community have volunteered their services free to veterans on that day, offering free ice cream, haircuts and chiropractic services, just to name a few. Participating businesses will have signs displayed in their storefronts.

As part of making Wheaton beautiful, individuals or groups could pick up refuse along the roads, plant bulbs in a park or do a fall cleanup of a senior citizen's yard.

As commission member Ronnie Gillis said, "We are all from varied walks of life, but we are joined by a common thread: we love living in Wheaton and we want everyone to know how great Wheaton is."

Help carry out the day's theme of "America the Beautiful" by supporting the troops "Make Wheaton Beautiful" by planting and cleaning Wheaton's streets, yards and parks. If you do your part, "You'll Feel Beautiful!"

For details or to volunteer, call Jennifer Alpers at (630) 665-5414 or visit www.osotil.org or www.wheaton.il.us.