Tri-Cities briefs

Museum promo for kids:

Children who participate in the "Passport to Adventure" program will find plenty of opportunities for excitement and journeys through history at Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley's Fabyan Villa Museum, Japanese Garden, Durant House Museum and Beith House Museum. Through Labor Day, children 4 to 12 with Passports can explore these museums and others in Kane and DuPage counties. If they collect seven stamps, they will receive a prize. Passports are available at each museum, as well as the St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. For more information, visit ppfv.org or call (630) 377-6424.

Aurora asked to 'Fill the Boot':

The Aurora Firefighter's Association will collect donations for its annual Muscular Dystrophy Association "Fill the Boot" campaign Friday through Sunday. Firefighters will be stationed throughout the city. Residents also may stop by any of the nine Aurora fire stations between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. to make a donation. For a listing of stations, go to www.aurora-il.org and click on Fire Department/Station Locations. The results of the campaign will be announced during the Jerry Lewis Telethon on Labor Day weekend. Last year, Aurora firefighters raised $14,825 and this year their goal is $20,000.

Donate garage sale items:

Rover Rescue is looking for donations for its annual garage sale benefiting homeless dogs. The garage sale will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 31 and Aug. 1 at 326 Sharon Lane, North Aurora. Items needed for the sale include household goods, tools, sports equipment, kitchen utensils, glassware, toys, baby furniture, baskets, holiday decorations, small appliances, paperbacks and clothing. For donation drop-off points, call (630) 897-7454.

Cardboard boat race on:

Aurora area residents might want to get a crew together to build their entry in the Fox Valley United Way's seventh annual What Floats Your Boat Cardboard Boat Race. The race takes place Aug. 22 on Mastodon Lake in Aurora's Phillips Park. The boats compete in one of five divisions - junior, adult, business, nonprofit and community. First-, second- and third-place trophies are awarded in each division. The race raises funds for the support Fox Valley United Way provides to more than 50 social service agencies. Registration information and rules, along with suggestions for building a cardboard boat, are available at uwfoxvalley.org.