Briefs: Palatine YHOP fundraiser
The student group Youth Hunger Opposition in Palatine is asking for donations this week for the charity's YHOP Dollar Day. YHOP, run by Palatine and Fremd high school students, is asking students, teachers and parents to bring $1 on Friday, Dec. 5 to Winston Campus Junior High School, 900 E. Palatine Road in Palatine. The school's Service Club is sponsoring the event, donating the money to area food pantries. (847) 963-7507 or www.yhop.org.
Charity drive, concert Sunday
Whole Foods Market at 1331 N. Rand Road in Palatine will host a collection drive for clothing and household items from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, to benefit Little City. Donated items will be sold by Palatine-based Little City Foundation for local reuse and recycling, raising money that helps support Little City's programs for children and adults with mental, emotional and behavioral challenges. Items in good, usable condition will be accepted, including clothing, shoes, accessories, linens, toys, books, housewares and small household items. Fourth- and fifth-graders from Kildeer Countryside School will perform from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (847) 221-7805; wholefoodsmarket.com.
Poker benefit Friday
The Palatine American Legion will host a Texas Hold 'Em charity poker event Friday at Legion Hall, 122 W. Palatine Road to benefit various community and veterans programs. Games are 4 p.m.-midnight with a multi-table tournament, which has a $75 buy-in, starting at 8 p.m. No advance registration required. The $5 fee at the door includes a raffle ticket for a free buy-in to the 8 p.m. tournament. Call the Legion Hall at (847) 359-1606 or Paul Healy at (847) 496-7254.
Needy kids to get free shoes
Nearly 400 local underprivileged children will receive a pair of shoes at the AT&T Pioneers annual Shoes Project today, Dec. 4. Children will visit Famous Footwear, 1021 S. Sutton Road in Streamwood to select winter shoes and socks. Hanover Park Mayor Rod Craig and members of the Hoffman Estates police and fire departments will join AT&T Pioneer volunteers to help children trying on their shoes. Children will also receive goody bags and a visit from Santa. Participating schools include Parkwood and Laurel Hill elementary schools in Hanover Park and John Muir Literacy Academy in Hoffman Estates. The "Shoe Project," formerly known as "All God's Children Shall Have Shoes," began in the early 1960s.
Hoffman 'Shop with a Cop'
The Hoffman Estates Police Benevolent Fund will sponsor its ninth annual "Shop with a Cop" on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Target and Buffalo Wild Wings in Hoffman Estates. Thirty-five needy children get a $125 allowance to buy gifts and are paired with police officers to shop. After shopping, the cops and kids will have lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings, where Santa, the cheer squads from the Chicago Shamrox lacrosse team and the Chicago Slaughter indoor football team, along with players from the Chicago Rush Arena football team, will greet them. Santa will give each child a gift and a stocking full of goodies, thanks to the support of many Hoffman Estates businesses. The public can help by sending donations to: HEPBF, P.O. Box 95611, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169-0611.
Donate blood in Buffalo Grove
A blood drive will be held in Buffalo Grove from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive. No appointments are necessary. Call the village, (847) 459-2500.