Public Service
Events where participation would benefit the public, such as volunteer events, social service clubs, call for donations to military, blood drives, bone marrow drives, food pantry drive, people who are giving away food, etc. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.
Through Dec. 18
Toys For Tots: 9 a.m to 5 p.m. through Thursday, Dec. 18, Prudential Starck, Realtors, 805 W Route 22, Lake Zurich; and 826 S Northwest Hwy., Barrington. Drop off a new, unwrapped gift for a child in need. For information, call (847) 438-8883.
South Barrington Toys for Tots: Through Dec. 18 at 3 Tennis Club Lane, South Barrington. Hours are: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, South Barrington Community Center lobby; 5 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, South Barrington Club lobby. Drop off a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need. (847) 381-7515.
Feasts for Beasts: Through Dec. 18, Libertyville High School, 708 W. Park Ave., Libertyville. The Libertyville High School LEAF, Latin Club, English Literature classes, and Music Department are collecting canned and dry dog and cat food to benefit Save-a-Pet, a no-kill shelter in Grayslake, and Underdog, an animal rescue organization in Antioch. Collection boxes are located in the Libertyville High School Main Office and throughout the building. For information, call Marti Gorun, at (847) 327-7800 ext. 8659.
Dec. 22
Sports equipment needed: Noon-2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22 and 23, The Sports Academy's Multi-Sport Facility, 355 Hastings Drive, Buffalo Grove. New and gently used sports equipment can be donated during TSA's winter break youth sports camps to be distributed to youth groups in need. Call (847) 279-3934, visit TSANorthwest.com or e-mail Info@TSANorthwest.com.
Memorial service to honor homeless: 4:30-6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, Journeys from PADS to HOPE, 1140 E. Northwest Highway, Platine. Candlelight services to honor the area's homeless who have died during the past year. Speakers will include representatives from the PADS shelter sites, HOPE Center and community members and volunteers. (847) 963-9160, ext. 20.
Through Dec. 23
Cans for Coupons: Through Tuesday, Dec. 23, Big Jack's Chicago Style Red Hots, 507 N. Hainesville Road, Round Lake Park. Big Jack's and Sign Central are accepting Cans of food for Lake County Catholic Charities. Those donating will receive a 10 percent off coupon for any order from Big Jack's and Sign Central. For information, call (847) 818-9002.
Girl Scouts Food Drive: Through Tuesday, Dec. 23, Vernon Hills Girl Scout Center, 650 N. Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills, or any Dominick's Food Store. Food items brought to the collection locations will be go to a local food depository. Food items needed include peanut butter, canned vegetables, canned fruit, cereal, rice, pasta, tuna, chili, soup and beans. For information, call (847) 573-0500.
Through Dec. 30
Food for Fines: Through Tuesday, Dec. 30, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. The library will accept donations of nonperishable boxed or canned food, paper goods and cleaning supplies as payment for current overdue fines. Fees will not be waived for fines on lost items, DVDs, videos, video games, holiday CDs and prior balances. For information, call (847) 438-3433.
Jan. 5
Mitten Tree: Through Monday, Jan. 5, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. The Friends of Ela Library are accepting donations of new and "like new" mittens, gloves, scarves and hats for the library's annual Mitten Tree. Call (847) 438-3433.
Jan. 19
Ela Area Library board openings: The filing period is Jan. 19-26, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. The Ela Area Public Library Board will have four trustee openings to fill for the April 7, 2009, consolidated election. Those interested may pick up filing information at the library's information desk, including a petition form that must be filed bearing a total of 50 signatures of district residents. Any registered voter who resides in the library's district may submit nomination papers for the election. Each elected candidate will serve a four-year term on the Board. For information, call (847) 438-3433, ext. 119.
Jan. 25
Exhibitors wanted: Exhibitors are wanted for a Health, Wellness and Fitness Expo from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Local health, fitness and wellness organizations will be at the library to share key factors in leading a healthy life, featuring displays, chair massages, blood pressure checks, health screenings, food samples, a healthy foods cooking demo and an appearance from Chicago Bears official team mascot Staley da Bear. Those interested in setting up a free booth can contact Shannon Galton at sgalton@vapld.info or (847) 634-3650 ext. 137.
Food for Fines: Sunday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, Jan. 31, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. For each can of food (unopened and not expired) donated, the library will waive $1 of fines (no fees or lost materials). For information, call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.
Ongoing
Lions Food Drive: The Lions will be collecting food all December at the Lions Den, 81 E. Main St., to benefit the Ela Area food pantry at St Francis Church. For information, call (847) 847-2171.
Eli Skinner Chapter, NSDAR: The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is seeking volunteers to make wool caps for the troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and South Korea. Wool head covering which can be worn under the Kevlar helmet provides warmth to the head and neck, but does not restrict vision. Patterns are available at www.geocities.com/helmetliner. For details, contact helmetliner@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 236, Auburn, IL 62615.
Food boxes: Open Arms Mission Food Pantry seeks donations to purchase 800 food boxes to distribute to low income families this holiday season. A $25 donation provides a holiday dinner, including a 12- to 14-pound turkey, potatoes, vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, dessert and coffee. Each box also provides additional nutritious foods. Donations can be made online on the mission's Web site, openarmsmission.org or by sending a donation to Open Arms Mission, PO Box 79, Antioch, IL 60002.
Electronics recycling: 8 a.m. to noon, the first Saturday of each month, Wauconda Township Highway Department, at 505 W. Bonner Road, Wauconda. All Wauconda Township residents are invited to bring in electronic recyclables. Items accepted include computers and computer components, video games, televisions, VCR/DVD players, cameras, radios and accessories, phones, and more. For more information call the Township Office at (847) 526-2631.
Allendale Association: A not-for-profit children's facility in Lake Villa, looking for qualified volunteers to work directly with children or on other projects. Help a child develop positive relationships with adults, share gardening knowledge in the vocational horticultural center, evaluate a student's Individual Education Plans and meet with the child's therapeutic team, work in the thrift store, or help in other ways. To learn more, visit www.allendale4kids.org.
Knit or crochet for babies: The Waukegan Area Branch of American Association of University Women is looking for people to knit or crochet baby hats for babies born at Vista Medical Center East. Call (847) 244-7926.
GLCU Food Drive: Great Lakes Credit Union has selected a local pantry in each of its eight branch location communities and has asked members and employees to donate nonperishable food items for families in Antioch, Gurnee, Libertyville, North Chicago, Round Lake, Spring Grove, Waukegan and Zion in time for Christmas. To donate, stop by any GLCU branch and look for the grocery cart in the lobby. For information, contact Sue Malo, at (847) 578-8869 or visit glcu.org.
Scholarship Offered: Application deadline April 15. The Grayslake Greenery Garden Club is offering up to $1000 in scholarship money to be applied to tuition and textbook costs to any full or part-time student resident of Lake County who is majoring in the field of horticulture. For application form and complete instructions, contact GGGC at 480 Rock Hall Circle, Grayslake, IL 60030, or call (847) 223-5682.