Northwest suburban 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.

Catholic Charities needs volunteers: The Northwest Region of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is hosting a fundraising gala event at the San Filippo Estate in May 2010, to benefit its New Hope Apartments program. This program provides housing for homeless families with dependent children. Volunteers are being sought to donate their time for this cause. If you would like to help, opportunities exist on various committees including invitation and program, publicity, auction, solicitation, and event setup. For information, call Glenn Van Cura at (847) 376-2118.

Volunteers needed: Kenneth Young Center is seeking Vocational program volunteers; resale shop volunteers' a graphic person for special event materials; and Donor Perfect volunteers. For details visit kennethyoung.org.

Prescription drug discount card: The village of Hoffman Estates Department of Health and Human Services is offering free prescription drug discounts cards to Hoffman Estates residents through a program sponsored the National League of Cities. For information, (847) 781-4850; (888) 620-1749 or caremark.com/nlc.

Sept. 5

Blood Drive: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. The village of Buffalo Grove is coordinating a community blood drive; donate blood and get coupons for ice cream from Baskin Robbins or Culvers of Buffalo Grove. Walk-ins are welcome, or call (877) 543-3768 to schedule an appointment.

Sept. 6

Donate food during parade: 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, along Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove. The Buffalo Grove Area Chamber of Commerce will have a float in the Buffalo Grove Days parade and chamber members will push grocery carts alongside it for the community to help fill with nonperishable food items for the Vernon Township Food Pantry. Donations will also be accepted at the chamber office during normal business hours. For information, call (847) 541-7799.

Sept. 10

Open Meetings Act tele-institute: 2-5 p.m. Thursday, Sept 10, University of Illinois Extension, Lake Country office, 100 S. Highway 45, Grayslake. Michael Luke, senior assistant attorney general, discusses the changes to the Opening Meeting Act that will be coming Jan. 1, 2010. Qualifies for tow hours of general Certified County Official credits. Reservation deadline Tuesday, Sept. 8. Call (847) 223-8627.

Sept. 19

Food donations: For the 13th consecutive year, the Men's Club of Congregation Beth Judea of Long Grove will be sponsoring Project Isaiah, giving life to the Jewish traditions of "tzadakah" (charity) and "Tikkun Olam" (repairing the world). As in past years, Beth Judea congregants will be asked to take home specially marked grocery bags on Rosh Hashana, Sept. 19-20, and return them at Kol Nidre services on Sept. 27 filled with kosher food, paper goods and baby products. Everything collected will be donated to the ARK, a Chicago social service agency which provides comprehensive services for the homeless and the indigent. Beth Judea is located on Route 83 and Hilltop Road in Long Grove. The entire community is invited to bring food and paper goods to the synagogue before Sept. 25. Contact the Beth Judea office at (847) 634-0777 if you wish to donate.

Sept. 26

Shredding event: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, Arlington Heights Senior Center, 1801 W. Central Road. Free document destruction event. For information, call (847) 253-5532.

Sept. 27

Wine and cheese party: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. League of Women Voters of the Barrington Area will hold a wine and cheese party for Barrington area residents to meet their elected officials. All are welcome. Free. Call Edith Maynard for details and to RSVP at (847) 304-6746.

Oct. 18

Barrington CROP Walk: Representatives of area churches, schools, businesses and civic organizations are preparing for the 27th annual Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk, determined to improve upon last year's outstanding performance of 442 walkers and over $65,000 in receipts. The event will place throughout the village of Barrington, beginning at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 401 E. Main St., with registration at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. To learn more, contact one of the event chairs, Pat Enders, representing Salem United Methodist Church at (847) 381-0524 or John Grom, representing Community Church of Barrington, at (847) 381-1294.