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Rose Parade needs volunteers

The Roselle Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to help with parade assembly for the 50th annual Rose Parade on Sunday, June 7. Volunteers will be asked to arrive at Turner Park, 81 E. Devon Ave., at 11:30 a.m. and will be assigned a stretch of Devon Avenue to assist parade entrants in lineup. The parade steps off at 2 p.m. If you'd like to help out, call Gail Croson at (630) 894-3010.

Items for troops wanted

Springbrook Community Church will be collecting items for the troops in support of Operation Support Our Troops-Illinois. Marked bins will be available on Sunday, May 24, at the church, 29W771 79th St., Naperville. Needed items include cold drink mix packets, wipes, beef jerky, peanut butter, foot powder, crackers, pocket tissues, coffee singles, powdered creamer, insect repellent and medical bag items. For information, call (630) 904-2005. There also will be a service honoring those in the armed forces at 10 a.m. May 24 at the church.

Aurora names Grand Marshal

The city of Aurora's July Fourth Parade Board announced that local businesswoman Mary Lou Chapa will lead the 2009 Independence Day Parade. Chapa stood out from other nominees because of her decades of service to the city of Aurora. "She has and continues to positively affect the quality of life in Aurora," read a statement from the city. "Mary Lou Chapa, is a successful local businesswoman who overcame racial prejudice and sexism to flourish in the realty business." The Independence Day Parade will be July 4 in downtown Aurora. For more information on the July Fourth Parade and activities contact the Mayor's Office of Special Events at (630) 844-4731.

Park offers savings

Area families looking to enjoy the summer without taking expensive trips may want to purchase Fox Valley Park District's "Staycation Passport to Fun." The coupon booklet sells for $29 and contains more than $100 worth of deals and redemptions. Included in the booklet is one free admission to Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center or Splash Country Park, one free admission to Blackberry Farm, one free adult fitness pass to any park district fitness center, one free pass to the Vaughan Athletic Center pools and water park, 50 percent off a one-hour tennis court reservation at Vaughan Athletic Center, and a special rate of $26 for 18 holes of weekday golf at Orchard Valley Golf Course.