NW suburban public service calendar

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.

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.

Food drive: The Barrington Ministerial Alliance has set its sights on gathering 50,000 pounds of food to be distributed through the Northern Illinois Food Bank to food pantries in Cuba, Barrington, and Ela townships as well as Carpentersville and Palatine. The food drive is kicking off in September and will culminate in early October. Join all 13 BAMA churches to help reach the goal.

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.

Oct. 1

Citizen discussion session: 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, Mount Prospect Library, meeting room 130, 10 S. Emerson St. Mount Prospect Police Chief John Dahlberg will hold an informal citizen discussion session. Chief Dahlberg and members of his command staff make themselves available to answer resident's questions, take their comments and hear their concerns.

Oct. 7

Social Media Resources for Nonprofits: 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Oct. 7, Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Discussion of the latest strategies and tools being used by nonprofits for marketing and fundraising on the Internet. Includes social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, online resource like Google for nonprofits and other lesser-known but effective services. $30-$30. (847) 228-1320 or volunteerinfo.net.

Oct. 9

Environmental Fair: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, Palatine Community Center, 250 E. Wood St. Learn how to reduce your impact on the environment, see what are agencies and businesses are doing and learn about programs and products to assist in your efforts. Palatine Environmental Health Division will collect and recycle compact fluorescent bulbs, sharps, prescription drugs, and mercury thermometers. Sponsored by the Palatine Park District environmental committee. (847) 991-0333.

Oct. 12

Watch and eyeglass repair: 1-2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Change batteries, remove links, change pins or replace band, minor repairs. (630) 213-0100.

Oct. 18

Barrington CROP Walk: Representatives of area churches, schools, businesses and civic organizations are preparing for the 27th annual Barrington Area CROP Hunger Walk, determined to improve upon last year's outstanding performance of 442 walkers and over $65,000 in receipts. The event will place throughout the village of Barrington, beginning at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 401 E. Main St., with registration at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. To learn more, contact one of the event chairs, Pat Enders, representing Salem United Methodist Church at (847) 381-0524 or John Grom, representing Community Church of Barrington, at (847) 381-1294.

Oct. 20

Blood Drive: 3:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, Bartlett Park District, 700 S. Bartlett Road. All donors received a premium Heartland Hooded Sweatshirt. Walk-ins welcome. (630) 540-4889.

Oct. 22

Blood Drive: 1:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, Schaumburg School District office, 524 E. Schaumburg Road, (847) 310-8977 or heartlandbc.org.

Nov. 13

Job Fair 2009: 1-4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Spartan Events Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. For inforamtionelgin.edu/jobfair.