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.

Hanover Township troop supply collection: Through Friday, Feb. 19, any Hanover Township building. Hanover Township is holding an emergency collection for the troops. Needed items include: Peanut butter (28 oz. or less), jelly (32 oz. or less, no glass), mayonnaise (individual packets), crackers (one pound box or less), antacids (small rolls or bottles), coffee singles, foot powder (20oz. or less), shaving cream (non aerosol), lotion for men (16 oz. or less), mouthwash/dental rinse (20 oz. or less). Letters, Valentine's Day Cards and Easter greetings accepted as well. For information, (630) 540-9085.

Des Plaines Food Pantry "Food Fight": The Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and the Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines are challenging local organizations to compete with the chamber to see which group can collect the most food for the pantry during the month of February. Last year's event collected nearly 8,000 pounds of food. The Des Plaines Rotary Club took first place with 3,213 pounds and the Kiwanis Club was close behind with 3,035 pounds. In addition to businesses, Des Plaines condominium associations and churches, any local organization is invited to participate. Call Andrea Friedman, program manager at the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce, (847) 824-4200, or Debra Walusiak, community resource director, Self-Help Closet & Pantry, (847) 337-1443.

Wheeling Township food pantry: 1616 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Collecting unopened toiletries of all sizes to distribute to needy families. Soap, shampoo, skin creams, toothpaste, etc.

February Disability competition fundraiser: Wheeling Auto Center, 2430 E. Hintz Road, Arlington Heights, will donate $5 from every oil change and $25 for every referral during February to National Junior Disability Championships, a national competition for young people with physical disabilities or visual impairments. Call (847) 259-3776 or visit wheelingautocenter.com.

BACOA Income Tax Assistance: Barrington Area Council on Aging is offering the AARP Tax Assistance Program. Trained AARP volunteers will assist seniors with their taxes at the BACOA office in the Prairieview Building at The Garlands of Barrington, 6000 Garlands Lane, suite 200. Appointments are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through Tuesday, April 13. Assistance is by appointment only and is limited to seniors over 55 with income below $60,000 and to disabled persons of any age. For appointments, call (847) 381-5030.

Service to Community Award: Elk Grove Township invites residents to nominate fellow citizens for its Service to Community Award, given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the well being of the community and/or their neighbors. Applications may be obtained at elkgrovetownship.com or by calling the township office at (847) 437-0300.

Clear Vision Car Wash: The Clear Vision Program will offer free car washes every Saturday through Feb. 27 for Schaumburg Township residents. Car wash hours are from 9 a.m.-noon a the Schaumburg Township garage, Illinois Blvd. and Schaumburg Road. A donation for the food pantry is requested. Clear Vision is a quick car was performed by the Schaumburg Township's Highway department and the Cook County Sheriff's department SWAP program. Program is for Schaumburg Township residents only.

Tax Assistance: By appointment, Monday afternoons through April 12, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Senior citizens may make an appointment with an AARP volunteer. To register, call (847) 634-3650.

The Glass Slipper Project: Through Sunday, Feb. 28, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Bring gently-used formal dresses on hangers to the library for the Glass Slipper Project, to help young women attend their proms. Dresses must be less than 5 years old, tea length or longer, clean and in good condition. Call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.

United Methodist Council on Relief Haiti collection: Drop off Friday, March 19-Sunday, March 21, Barrington United Methodist Church, 09 Algonquin Road, Barrington. Items needed: one gallon sealable plastic bags; hand towles, no kitchen towles, 15-by-25; wash cloths; large combs, no pocket size; nail file or fingernail clippers; toothbrush, single brush in original wrapper, no child size; adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages; toothpaste; bath size bar soap, 3 oz. and up. For information, (847) 836-5540.

Feb. 18Free homebuyers seminar: 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 18, Buffalo Grove Bank Trust, 200 N. Buffalo Grove Road. Refreshments will be provided along with a raffle to win a $25 VISA gift card. Space is limited, Call (847) 634-8400 or visit buffalogrovebank.com.District 54 Budget Review Committee: Meets 6-6:60 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, 524 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. For information, call Mohsin Dada, assistant superintendent of business services at (847) 357-5011.District 54 Board of Education: Meets 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, 524 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. For information, call Sherry Douglas, board/administrative coordinator at (847) 357-5038.Feb. 20Blood drive: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, Bartlett High School, 701 Schick Road, Bartlett. All donors will be entered into a gas card raffle. Appointments preferred, walk -ins welcome. Call (630) 289-4221.Feb. 21Blood Drive: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Walk-ins welcome or schedule an appointment by visiting lifesource.org, use code AH46. For information, contact parish nurse Margie, (847) 253-4919 or Marjorie.mayfield@advocatehealth.com.Feb. 22Blood drive: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, Bartlett High School, 701 Schick Road, Bartlett. All donors will be entered into a gas card raffle. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome. Call (630) 289-4221.Feb. 23Tax Law Change for Your Retirement: 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 23, Frisbie Senior Center, 52 E. Northwest Highway, Des Plaines. Understand how tax law changes will impact your retirement. Conducted by the Tax Institute of HR Block. Free. To register, call Darlene, (847) 923-0128 or Darlene.ZiolkowskiQtax.hrblock.com.March 2Become a licensed amateur radio operator: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, Palatine Fire Station 84, 220 W. Illinois Ave., Palatine. Palatine AREC/RACES group hosts free training classes to prepare you to pass the Amateur Radio Technician Class license exam. Free class, manuals $25. Testing fee $15 payable when the FCC exam is taken. Contact Chuck, W9KQJ@ARRL.net.March 7Spring Blood Drive: 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7, St. Colette Church, Meadow and Grouse, Rolling Meadows. No appointment necessary. For questions, call Kathe, (847) 255-2471.March 9Free Tax Talk: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. Tax Institute of HR BLOCK presents "Tax Law Change and Planning Ahead to Protect Your Finances." Free, to register, contact Darlene, (847) 923-0128 or Darlene.Ziolkowski@tax.hrblock.com. 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.Book Donations: Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. The library accepts book donations year-round during regular business hours. Fiction, nonfiction, hardcover and paperback books, DVDs, videos, CDs, CD-ROMs and books-on-tape are accepted. Receipts for tax-deductible book donations are available upon request. Call (847) 634-3650 or visit vapld.info.