The briefs
Collect plant seeds on Public Lands Day
Join Citizens for Conservation from 9-11 a.m. Sept. 26 for the 16th annual National Public Lands Day. Volunteers of all ages and families will help collect seed of native plants which will be processed and sown in local preserves. New volunteers are welcome. Meet at Citizens For Conservation headquarters, 459 W. Route 22; the white farmhouse with a silo across from Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Lake Barrington. Bring work gloves and dress for the weather. If questions, call CFC at 847-382-SAVE (7283).
Hoffman to auction anniversary benches
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Village of Hoffman Estates, local businesses, homeowners' associations, youth groups, Village Commissions and residents have decorated "Benches for Our Birthday."
Twenty benches are on display inside the Village Hall lobby and will be moved to the Marriott Chicago Northwest Hotel, 4800 Hoffman Blvd., for a silent auction the night of the 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner Dance, Sept. 26.
The sale of the benches benefits the Children's Advocacy Center of North and Northwest Cook County, headquartered in Hoffman Estates.
Contact Boards and Commissions Assistant Sue Lessen at (847) 781-2606, or suzanne.lessen@hoffmanestates.org.
Jobless resources centralized at ECC
Unemployed, low-income residents in Elgin Community College District 509 can use the college to search for local employment training in the area: like résumé review; skills assessments; job-search preparation; legal and credit counseling services; shelter and food assistance; and other resources.
ECC contact Judy Burman, serves as a starting point for unemployed residents seeking services in the community. She can be found at ECC's Fountain Square Campus, 51 S. Spring St., Elgin.
ECC also provides short-term training so people can earn a basic vocational specialist certificate and college credit in just 16 weeks. Some noncredit classes lead to certification.
Contact Burman at (847) 214-6931 or visit elgin.edu/servicesfortheunemployed.
Help park district help less fortunate
Help restock the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry by donating nonperishable items at Schaumburg Park District facilities.
The district is participating in efforts by Northwest Suburban United Way to replenish stores at the food pantry.
Suggested donations are canned fruit, vegetables, meat and soup, dried beans, peanut butter, rice and boxed pasta.
Collection bins will be available until Sept. 25 at: Bock Neighborhood Center, 1223 W. Sharon Lane; Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road; Jerry Handlon Administration Building, 235 E. Beech Drive; Meineke Recreation Center, 220 E. Weathersfield Way; Schaumburg Golf Club, 401 N. Roselle Road; Schaumburg Tennis Plus, 1416 N. Payne Road; Sport Center, 1141 W. Irving Park Road; Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road; and Walnut Greens Golf Course, 1150 N. Walnut Lane.