Briefs: Help a kid go shopping

The Woodfield Area Children's Organization needs volunteers 15 years and older to take a needy child Christmas shopping or help the kid wrap presents at the Wal-Mart in Elgin at 1001 N. Randall Road. The shopping spree is scheduled for 7 a.m. Dec. 15, and each child gets to spend $75. Call (847) 436-9697.

Academy honors two

In honor of two Fox Valley educators who helped shape the lives of hundreds of local students, Elgin Academy has established the Ruth Tofanelli/Barbara Lachel Scholarship Fund to provide need-based tuition assistance to eligible students. Ruth Tofanelli, along with Jim Williams, was cofounder of Summit School for Learning Disabled Children in Dundee in 1968. In 1980, she added an elementary gifted program that eventually became Summit Academy in Elgin. Barbara Lachel's 30-year career as an educator began with her service as a kindergarten teacher, and she eventually rose to the position of principal at Summit Academy. When Summit Academy was consolidated with Elgin Academy in 2006, Lachel remained as director of Elgin Academy's River Road Campus until her death from cancer in 2007.

Help cops help kids

The Shop with a Cop program seeks donations to support its goal of providing at least 125 underprivileged children the opportunity to buys gifts this holiday season. Officers from the East and West Dundee, Gilberts and Sleepy Hollow police departments will take kids shopping at the East Dundee Wal-Mart on Dec. 15, each with $75 to spend. Donations can be made online at shopwacop.org. Proceeds from the sale of cards, ornaments and T-shirts, available at the four participating police departments, also help raise money for the program. A raffle sponsored by Bandito Barney's and Rosie O'Hares in East Dundee will also benefit the program. Tickets are available at both locations.