DuPage County briefs

Area poet at reading:

Warrenville poet Bakul Banergee will be featured at a reading from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Nov. 29, at the Brewed Awakening, 19 W. Quincy, Westmont. Freelance writer Beth Stass also will be featured at the reading. A native of India, Banerjee is a published poet who spent much of her career as a scientist and engineer at organizations associated with the U.S. Department of Energy.

Calling pet sitters:

PetsNPatient, a group that cares for pets when their human companions become ill, is asking pet sitters to participate in a holiday shop and wrap fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 21, 27, 28, Dec. 5 and 12, at Braconi's Italian-American Restaurant, 796 Royal Saint George, Naperville. It also is asking pet sitters and private pet boarding homes to donate a tax-deductible pet sit for the coming year. For details, visit petsnpatients.com.

Benefit in West Chicago:

A fundraiser dinner for a 14-month-old boy in need of a kidney transplant will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at American Legion Post 300, 123 Main St., West Chicago. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, and include a buffet dinner, DJ and dancing and raffles. The boy, Carson Dierschow of Sycamore, was born with obstructions in both kidneys. For details, see www.care4carson.com.

Collecting for the troops:

The village of Lombard is partnering with local Lilac VFW Post 5815 to send packages to the troops. Items will be collected through December at village hall, 255 E. Wilson Ave. A list of recommended items can be seen at www.villageoflombard.org, but suggestions include peanut butter and jelly, crackers, canned fruits and pasta, beef jerky and slim Jims, nuts, coffee, Pringles, unscented baby wipes and toilet paper. The VFW is paying to ship the items, but donations are accepted. Checks should be made out to Lilac VFW Post 5815; self-addressed envelopes are available at city hall. For details, call (630) 620-5718.