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. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Dec. 31

Greyhounds Only: The Dairyland Greyhound Park in Kenosha, Wis., will be closing on Dec. 31, leaving around 500 dogs in need of homes. Greyhounds Only rescue group is looking for people to foster or provide temporary shelter for dogs or donate money, dog food, or large crates. To help out, call Greyhounds Only at (847) 421-9828 or (773) 297-4739 or Sue Purdom at (815) 501-3533.

Jan. 11

Candidate meet and greet: 7-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, Poplar Creek Public Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. Hanover Township Democrats & Independents (HanDI) hots a meet and greet with candidates for federal, state and county office in the upcoming Democratic primary election. Q & A event. For information, visit HanDIonline.org.

Free tax talk: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., meeting room B. The Tax Institute of H&R Block presents, "Tax Law Change for Your Retirement." Learn how tax law changes will impact your retirement. Free. To register, call Darlene at (847) 923-0128 or Darlene.Ziolkowski@tax.hrblock.com.

Jan. 16

Candidate forum: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 16, Palatine Village Hall, 200 E. Wood St., Palatine. Candidates on the ballot for the 8th Congressional District and the Illinois House District 54, will speak and answer audience questions. Hosted by League of Women Voters of the Barrington Area and League of Women Voters of the Palatine Area.

Jan. 27

Candidate forum: 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, Barrington Public Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway. Candidates for the 8th Congressional District on the November ballot will speak and answer audience questions. Hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Barrington Area.

Ongoing

Food/Toy drive: Through the holidays, Park Chiropractic, 321 Prospect, Mount Prospect. Collection of non-perishable food/supplies or new/slightly-used toys to benefit the Lamb's Fold Center for Women & Children, New Moms Shelter, and Connections for Abused Women and Children. For information, (847) 253-7600.

Reading tutors needed: 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, one-two times per week, Chippewa Middle School, 123 N. Eighth Ave., Des Plaines. Volunteers are needed to fill one-to-one reading tutor positions immediately. A literacy specialist provides training and ongoing support. For information, contact Michael Sibert, (847) 343-4513. For a volunteer application, call Mindy Ward, (847) 824-8070.

Bingo Bus to Hines Hospital: Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in Bartlett is forming groups to visit and play bingo with veterans at Hines Hospital in Maywood. If you would be interested in going once a month on a Saturday, call (630) 837-1166 for information.

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.