Fundraisers

To submit your listing, e-mail ntwohey@dailyherald.com, or fax (847) 427-1301 at least two weeks prior to the event.

News of the week

Caring Hearts Awards: The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago is seeking nominations for its annual Caring Hearts Outstanding Volunteer Awards. All nominees and their works will be celebrated during a gala dinner March 18 at Bristol Court in Mount Prospect. Nomination categories include youth, adult, senior, youth group, corporate award, education, community group and volunteer leadership. For information or to receive a nomination form, call Lynn Neuhengen at (847) 228-1320 or visit www.volunteerinfo.net. Deadline for nominations is Feb. 11.

January

Raise funds for young artists: Metropolis Melt Down Wine, Cheese & Disco Dance fundraiser: 7-11 p.m. Friday, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, Arlington Heights. $40 per person includes the wine and cheese tasting, disco instruction and dance and cash bar. Benefits the Metropolis School of the Performing Arts and the Metropolis Theatre. For tickets, call the box office (847) 577-2121. Must be 21 to attend.

Playdough Palooza: Children's Memorial Hospital's Wish List Auxiliary Board 24th annual Playdough Palooza: 6-9 p.m. Saturday; Rockit Bar & Grill, 22 W. Hubbard St., Chicago. $50 in advance; $60 at the door. (773) 880-4388.

Youth Hunger Opposition in Palatine: Youth Hunger Opposition in Palatine benefit dinner dance and silent auction: 6:30 p.m. Saturday; Vittorio de Roma Italian Bistro, 154 W. Northwest Highway, Palatine. $75 per person, benefits the Palatine Township Food Pantry. For information, (847) 342-1720, ext. 3.

Bowling fundraiser: Nicklebee's Nickel Bowl fundraiser: 7-10 p.m. Saturday; Seven Ten Lounge, 2747 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $40 per person. Tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis at www.nicklebee.org.

March the Mart: Special Children's Charities March the Mart event: 8 a.m.-11 a.m. start Monday; Merchandise Mart, Chicago. Proceeds benefit Special Children's Charities, a fundraising arm of Chicago's Special Olympics. (847) 910-0961 or www.marchthemart.com.

Fairygodmother Foundation: Fairygodmother Foundation Table of Twelve fundraiser: 7-10 p.m. Jan. 23; The Signature Room at the 95th, John Hancock Center. $80 at the door. Cocktail attire.

"A Toast to the Town": Mount Prospect Historical Society and Vino 100 host "A Toast to the Town," a champagne and sparkling wine tasting: 6-8 p.m. Jan. 24; 110 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. Hors d' oeuvres and light snacks. Adults over 21 only. $10 at the door. Benefits the operation of the Mount Prospect Historical Society. (847) 392-9006.

Purple Moon event: LFAI Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America Purple Moon event: 6 p.m. Jan. 24; Joe's Sports Bar, 940 W. Weed St., Chicago. $50-$75. (312) 542-0002. Latrice@lupusil.org.

Alivio Medical Center: Alivio Medical Center's 2008 dinner celebration: Jan 24; Renaissance Chicago Hotel, 1 W. Wacker Drive Chicago.

"Laughing for Literacy": The Literacy Connection 'Laughing for Literacy" fundraiser: 7 p.m. Jan. 26; Heritage Ballroom in The Centre, 100 W. Symphony Way, Elgin. For information or tickets, (847) 742-6565.

The Artistry in Music Foundation: The Artistry in Music Foundation benefit concert: 8 p.m. Jan. 26; Friendship Village, 350 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Classical music. $15 for students: $25 for adults. For tickets, e-mail lmgstrings@comcast.net.

Kohl's "Step-Up for Kids": Children's Memorial Hospital's 11th annual Kohl's "Step-Up for Kids" stair climb: 8 a.m. start time Jan. 27; Aon Center, 200 E. Randolph, Chicago. Registration $45 (children age 12 and under free). (773) 880-6936 or www.childrensmemorial.org/stepup. No race day registration available.

Catholic Charities wine tasting fundraiser: Catholic Charities 7th annual d'Vine Affair: A Tasting of Fine Wines: 2-6 p.m. Jan. 27; Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago. $100 before Friday; $120 after. To register, visit www.catholiccharities.net/dvine or call (312) 655-7912.

Wheeling Township Democrats: Wheeling Township Democrats fundraiser with Congressman Jan Schakowsky: 3-5 p.m. Jan. 27; La Chicanita restaurant, 200 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Donations $25 per person, $40 per couple. Sponsorship levels: $100, $250 or $500. For reservations, wheelingtownshipdems@yahoo.com.

Support cancer walk team: Olive Tap of Long Grove and Long Grove Café kick-off fundraiser for "The Beaubifuls," a team of women from Long Grove and Buffalo Grove participating in the 2008 Avon Walk For Breast Cancer: 5-9 p.m. Jan. 31; Long Grove Café, 235 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. $30 per person before Jan. 20; or $35 per person at the door. For reservations or information, call Renee at (847) 612-0027.

February

District 62 fundraiser: District 62 Foundation "Satire Night Live" Improv Unlimited's show: 6 p.m. Feb. 1; Grazie! Ristorante and Banquets, Des Plaines. Three-course dinner, raffles, silent auction, fun concert show. $40 per person. Benefits learning opportunities for District 62 students.

Silent auction: St. Zachary's Church 15th annual silent auction "Let's Celebrate": 6:30-10:30 p.m. Feb. 1; Parish Life Center behind the church at 567 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Tickets $20. For information, call the parish ministry center at (847) 956-7020.

Viva Las Long Grove: Congregation Beth Judea second annual Viva Las Long Grove: 7 p.m. Feb. 9; Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. Gaming tables, live and silent auctions, appetizers, noshes, beer and wine and dessert. $45 in advance; $60 at the door. Advance tickets must be purchased before Feb. 2. (847) 634-0777.

White and Red Ball: The Legion of Young Polish Women's 69th annual White and Red Ball: Feb. 9; Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Benefits the Legion of Young Polish Women's charitable and philanthropic endeavors. For information, (847) 420-4321 or (708) 466-6975.

"Cold Hands Warm Harts" benefit: Little Heroes Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation's "Cold Hands Warm Hearts" benefit: 6-10 p.m. Feb. 9; Crobar, 1543 N. Kingsbury, Chicago. $100; $125 at the door. Purchase tickets online at www.littleheroes.us or call (312) 322-0001, ext. 62.

Valentine Fun Bowl: Des Plaines Community Senior Center's 11th annual Valentine Fun Bowl: Feb. 10; Sims Bowl, Des Plaines. For information or to donate raffle prizes, call (847) 768-5944.

Tackle the Tower event: American Lung Association of Illinois Greater Chicago Tackle the Tower and Climb for Clean Air event: Feb. 10; Oakbrook Terrace Tower. Visit www.tacklethetower.org or call (800) LUNGUSA.

Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards: Comcast SportsNet Sports Awards banquet: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11; Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $300 per person, benefits the March of Dimes. To purchase tickets, call Meredith at (312) 596-4721 or csnsportsawards.com.

Palatine High School VIP Club Dinner Dance: Palatine High School VIP Booster Club 24th annual dinner dance/silent auction: Feb. 22; Cotillion Banquets, Palatine. Live and silent auctions, raffles, dinner and dancing. Donations for auction items are being accepted. To donate or to advertise in the program, call Lyn at (224) 578-2202. For ticket information and reservations, visit www.phs.d211.org, click on VIP.

"Dining with the Stars": Hawthorn Woods Women's Club 42nd annual red carpet charity gala, "Dining with the Stars": Feb. 23; Kemper Lakes Golf Club, Kildeer. $125 per person. Benefits Lake County shelters serving women and children in need. www.hwwc.info.

Eric Elias Foundation: Eric Elias Foundation dinner dance: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23; Manzo's Banquets, 1571 S. Elmhurst Road, Des Plaines. $55 per person. Ann (815) 397-1055 or Kathy (847) 226-4924.

Wine tasting: Friends of Clearbrook Wine Tasting: 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23; Stonegate Banquet and Conference Centre, 2401 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. The 44th annual event benefits Clearbrook's Employment Services program for adults with disabilities. $95. Call Chrissy at (847) 385-5302 or craddi@clearbrook.org for tickets and information.

Party-Planning Fair: Sisterhood of Temple Chai annual Party-Planning Fair: 7 p.m. Feb. 24; 1670 Checker Road, Long Grove. Meet with nearly 70 vendors, obtain ideas for invitations, centerpieces, entertainment and more. For information, call (847) 913-6869 or e-mail simchashowcase@aol.com.

March

Monarch Ball: Resurrection Health Care Development Foundation's Monarch Ball: 6 p.m. March 1, Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Darrell Hammond of "Saturday Night Live" will make a special guest appearance. $300 per person. (847) 813-3464.

Clothing/toy resale: Mothers and More children's clothing/toy resale: 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. March 8; DuPage Country Fairgrounds, Manchester Road, Wheaton. Half-price white and blue tag sale from 1-2:30 p.m. No strollers. No children from 8 a.m.-noon. Call (630) 415-0421 for information.

Casino night: Clearbrook Guardians Spring Casino Night: 3 p.m. March 8 -1 a.m. March 9; Getz Workshop, 746 S. Vermont Ave., Palatine. Las Vegas-style gambling. Proceeds benefit children and adults with disabilities. Call the Guardians at (847) 385-5305 for information or visit clearbrook.org.

April

An Afternoon with PAL at the Improv: Clearbrook and PAL (Partners in Adult Learning) afternoon at the Improv: noon-5 p.m. April 6; Woodfield Shopping Center, Schaumburg. $75 per person. Benefits young adults with disabilities. Call Paul Jochim at (847) 609-0029 or pjochim@clearbrook.org for details.

Guardian Medallion Award Gala: Maryville Academy's 2008 Guardian Medallion Award Gala: April 12; Drake Hotel, Chicago. For information, visit www.maryvilleacademy.org/events or call Ellen at (847) 294-1982.

Shining Star Ball: Clearbrook's Shining Star Ball: 7 p.m.-midnight April 25; Four Season Hotel, 120 E. Delaware Place, Chicago. Black tie event benefits children and adults with disabilities. $500 per person. Contact Gloria Drake at (847) 385-5012 or gdrake@clearbrook.org for tickets and event information.

May

Kenneth Young Center's 2008 Walk: Kenneth Young Center's 2008 Walk May 10; Busse Woods. www.kennethyoung.org.

Bulletin board

Buddy shelter: The Buddy Foundation, a nonprofit, no-kill animal rescue organization, has broken ground for a shelter in Arlington Heights and is selling engraved bricks for the shelter's entrance as a fundraiser. If you are interested in purchasing a brick engraved with your pet's name, call (847) 813-7206 and ask for a shelter project consultant. Donations of supplies, manpower and funds are also being accepted.

Crochet, knit or quilt for babies: Stitches From The Heart needs volunteers to knit, crochet or quilt blankets, sweaters and hats for babies in need. These items are donated to hospitals all over the country. Patterns available. Donated yarn is also needed for seniors and children's knitting programs. Call Kathy Silverton at (866) 472-6903 or address e-mail to StitchFrom Heart@aol.com.

Baby Shower project: Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago Baby Shower project: Donate powdered baby formula (Similac with iron is preferred) for families on assistance. Disposable diapers are also needed. To schedule delivery at the Volunteer Center, or for information, call Kathleen, Lyn or Margaret at (847) 228-1320.