Briefs: Gospel Fest tonight at ECC

Gospel Fest, a part of Elgin Community College's celebration of Black History Month, will be at 7 tonight in the Fox Valley University and Business Dining Room on the ECC Main Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Featured during Gospel Fest are the McDonald's African-American Council Choir, choirs from several Elgin area churches, praise dancers and a soloist. For more information on the free concert, contact Anitra King at 847-214-7262.

Central DuPage donation

The Central DuPage Health Foundation distributed $265,836 directly to local charities last year, officials at the Winfield hospital announced. The funds will be distributed across the Central DuPage Hospital network to support senior health services, health care for the home-bound and to help fill the gap for the uninsured. Over the past eight years, Central DuPage Health Foundation has distributed more than $1.5 million to local charities though the Central DuPage Hospital Workplace Giving Campaign.

Help for gas customers

Nicor Gas encourages qualified customers who are struggling to pay their heating bills to apply to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and benefit from the recently released $29 million in extra funding. To qualify, household monthly income cannot exceed 150 percent of the federally established poverty level. For details or to apply, visit www.liheapillinois.com or call the toll-free information line at (877) 411-9276.

Tax-prep help available

Waubonsee Community College provides tax-return preparation services for low- to moderate-income people as part of the Internal Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Tax assistance sessions are from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the Aurora campus, 5 E. Galena Blvd. Families with incomes of less than $40,000 are eligible for assistance as are individuals with incomes of less than $15,000. People seeking tax help should bring a copy of their 2006 tax return (if they have one) W-2 forms and 1099s from all 2007 jobs, Social Security cards for all family members and a photo ID. Call (630) 466-7900, ext. 2992, or send an e-mail to VITA@waubonsee.edu.