Fox Valley briefs
Free income tax help:United Way of Elgin's Income Impact Council is offering free income tax preparation to families who made $50,000 or less in 2009 or individuals who made $25,000 or less. IRS-certified volunteers will be available to help from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. The program starts Jan. 30 and runs through April 15. It's closed on Feb. 6. No appointments are necessary; it's first come, first served. For details, call United Way of Elgin at (847) 741-2259 or visit the Center for Economic Progress Web site: www.economicprogress.org.Westfield holds book drive:The Westfield Community School PTO is collecting gently used and new books for students in Community Unit District 300. Drop off books for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade in the red bins in Westfield's main office through Tuesday, Feb. 16. Study aids will also be accepted. The school is at 2100 Sleepy Hollow Road, Algonquin. Call (847) 458-8821.Huntley club sends shelter to Haiti:The Huntley Rotary Club has bought an emergency shelter that it plans to send to Haiti. The shelter has space for 10 people, sleeping mats, water purification kits, a stove, kitchen items and other essentials. "We have sponsored Shelterboxes in the past for other disasters, and are proud to be able to help those in Haiti who need our assistance at this difficult time," Huntley Rotary Club President Jim Drendel said. "Some Shelterboxes are even being used as makeshift hospitals and recovery centers." Visit shelterbox.org or call (847) 372-2656.