Briefs: Give coats to charity
Jewel Middle School's Leos Club is conducting a coat drive through Dec. 21. Donated coats will be provided to area needy families. Clean winter coats in good condition can be turned in at the school's main office, 1501 Waterford Road, North Aurora, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
Red Cross gifts
The Fox River Chapter of the American Red Cross will be have a "Stocking Stuffer" sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the chapter offices, 121 N. Second St. in St. Charles. Among the for-sale items are no-battery emergency flashlights, discounted CPR and first aid classes, personal first-aid kits, a pet first-aid book and a pet first-aid kit. Call (630) 443-8844, ext. 15.
East plans Walk-A-Thon
The St. Charles East High School Student Council will have a 12-hour Walk-A-Thon to raise money for autism research from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Norris Field House at the school, 1020 Dunham Road. Teams must raise at least $200 to participate. The event will include music, games, food and prizes. For more information or to get involved, call (630) 485-9734.
Give blood, get pie
Any person who gives blood at the 14 Heartland Blood Centers, or during its community drive Sunday through Dec. 31 will receive a coupon for a free double-crust fruit pie from Bakers Square. There are Heartland centers at 1200 N. Highland Ave., Aurora; 649 W. State St., Geneva; and 1140 N. McLean Blvd., Elgin. Go online to www.heartlandbc.org or call (800) 7-TO GIVE.
'Nutcracker' in Elburn
The Blackberry School of Ballet and Dance will perform "The Nutcracker" at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Elburn and Countryside Community Center, 525 N. Main St. in Elburn. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children, students and seniors. For tickets, stop at the center between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call (630) 365-6655.
See your soldier
Kane County families with soldiers stationed at Camp Al Asad (Air Force) and Camp Taji/Cooke (Army) can visit face-to-face for 30 minutes Jan. 8 via University of Illinois Extension Kane County's videoconferencing system at its office at 535 S. Randall Road. To request a time, visit www.seeyoursoldier.uiuc.edu by 5 p.m. Monday. This is free. Call (630) 584-6166.