NW 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. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

Community Partnership Coat Drive: Through Monday, Dec. 14, Devon Bank, 561 N. Milwaukee Ave.; America's Market, 9 Huntington Lane; Wheeling Park District Community Recreation Center, 333 W. Dundee Road, all in Wheeling. The Wheeling Park District in cooperation with School District 21 is holding its annual coat drive. New and gently-used coats, hats, scarves, snow pants, boots, gloves and mittens are being collected for low-income children and teens. For information, (847) 465-3333.

Holiday book drive: Through Tuesday, Dec. 1, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Hardcover, paperbacks for babies through teens in English and Spanish are being accepted, at the check out desk, for donation to Wheeling Township's Adopt-a-Family holiday basket program for information, call Deb Whisler, (847) 506-2613.

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.

Read and Feed Food Drive: Through Tuesday, Dec. 1, donate food pantry items when you check out or return library books at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave.; on the Book mobile or at the Reading Room of the Arlington Heights Senior Center, 1801 W. Central Road. Items donated will be delivered to the food pantry at Wheeling Township. Donations of dog and cat food are also being accepted for donation to The Buddy Foundation. For information, visit ahml.info or call Deb Whisler, (847) 5-06-2613.

Barrington Library trustee: The Barrington Public Library District board of trustees is currently seeking to fill a vacancy on its board. The board will appoint a trustee to fill the position until the next election on April 5, 2011. Individuals interested in the appointment, are asked to submit a resume and letter of interest before Friday, Oct. 23, to resume@barringtonarealibrary.org or by mail to Administration, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington, IL 60010. Interviews will be conducted by current board members.

Winter Wear Drive: Drop- off through Friday, Nov. 20, Streamwood Village Hall, 301 E. Irving Park Road; Park Place Recreation Center, 550 S. Park Blvd., Streamwood; Poplar Creek Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood; Gymkhana, 1700 Tower Drive, Hanover Park; Ridge Circle School, 420 Ridge Circle, Streamwood; Citibank, 800 S. Barrington Road, Streamwood; First Midwest Bank, 2601 Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg; Fifth Third Bank, 121 N. Barrington Road, Schaumburg; and Associated Bank, 200 W. Bartlett Ave, Bartlett. Kiwanis Club of Streamwood is sponsoring a Winter Coat Drive for children in Hanover Township Donations may include any gently worn winter clothing such as coats, jackets, hats, scarves, gloves/mittens, sweaters.

Bikes for Needy Kids program: Through Nov. 24, Mikes Bike Shop, 155 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine. Unwanted bikes are taken in, cleaned and tuned up for donation to under privileged children. Donate that bike you haven't ridden in years. For information, (847) 358-0948.

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.

Volunteers needed: Volunteers are needed to help with the holiday rush at the Hanover Township Astor Avenue Community Center in Hanover Park. Join the team and help with administrative duties, stocking shelves, client check-in and holiday applications. For information, (630) 540-9085.

Nov. 2

Village of Palatine Emergency Preparedness Training: Classes begin Monday, Nov 2, Emergency Operations Center at village hall, 200 E. Wood St., Palatine. Free 20 plus hour course is held over a two- three-week period. Learn how to prepare for any emergency and how to protect yourself and your family should one occur. Register at EMA@palatine.il.us. For information, palatine-ema.org.

Nov. 4

ECC Open House: 3-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Come hear updates on construction and renovation projects being funded by the passage of a $178 million bond referendum that voters approved in April. For information, elgin.edu/masterplan.

Nov. 9

Embracelet program: 10-11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Residents of Bartlett, Hanover Park and Streamwood can sign up for the complimentary Hanover Township Embracelet program. Bring information on emergency contact, medications, medical conditions and allergies. To register, (630) 213-0100.

Nov. 10

Veteran's benefits: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1105 W. Bartlett Road. Representatives from Law ElderLaw will talk about veteran's benefits. Bring a donation for the Hanover Township Food Pantry. For information, (630) 213-0100.

Nov. 11

Mitten Tree Project: Monday, Nov. 9-Friday, Dec. 18, Des Plaines City Hall lobby, 1420 Miner St.; Prairie Lakes facility, 515 E. Thacker St; Des Plaines Public Library children's department, 1501 Ellinwood Road; First Bank, 678 Lee St.; Fifth Third Bank, 510 Metropolitan Way; Plaza Bank, 379 S. River Road; Des Plaines Frisbie Senior Center, 52 Northwest Highway; Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, 310 N. River Road; and Science & Arts Academy, 1825 Miner St., all in Des Plaines. Donate new hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for individuals in the community who are in need. Adult and children sizes.

Operation Christmas Child: 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, St. Mark Center, Wille and Evergreen streets, Mount Prospect. Help St. Mark Lutheran Church and K-Love radio station pack shoeboxes of holiday goodies for underprivileged children. stmarkmp.org.

Nov. 13

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

Nov. 14

Make blankets for the homeless: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 4, Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish, 1335 S. Clifton Ave., Park Ridge. If you sew, bring your sewing machine, materials provided; if you don't sew, bring scissors and two yards of fleece. Refreshments served. Call Teri, (847) 456-8267 or tcato3@att.net.