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.

Dec. 9

Snug Hugs for Kids clothing drive: Through Wednesday, Dec. 9, Merlin 2000,000 Shops. New and like new children's winter outerwear and clothing is being collected for the 18th annual Snug Hugs for Kids program. Coats, boots, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, sweaters, pants and socks to benefit Children's Home+ Aid. For participating locations, visit merlins.com.

Youth Service Planning Board: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, Schaumburg Township Town Hall, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Hanover/Schaumburg Townships Youth Services Planning board meets. Public is welcome. (847) 884-6213.

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.

Dec. 15

Holiday Meal Basket program: The village of Mount Prospect Human Services Departments is conducting its holiday meal basket program for Mount Prospect residents in need. Drop off nonperishable food items before Tuesday, Dec. 15 and frozen turkeys or canned hams on Monday, Dec. 21, at 50 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. For information, (847) 870-5680

Centennial School coin drive: During school hours through Tuesday, Dec. 15, Bartlett's Centennial School, 234 W. Stearns Road. Drop off coins to support the Student Council's fundraising efforts for charity.

Hat and Mitten tree: St. Peter Community Church, 2700 Willow Road, Northbrook, has a Hat & Mitten Tree. They are collecting hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves to be given to the Northfield Food Pantry. They are also collecting disposable diapers to be given to the pantry. If you would like to contribute to the mitten tree or diapers, drop by St. Peter between now and Dec. 15. Questions? Call (847) 272-2246

Toys for Kids Program: The Village of Mount Prospect is conducting its annual Toys for Kids program. Any resident wishing to donate a new toy for under privileged children in Mount Prospect may bring the unwrapped gift to any of the three fire stations: 112 E. Northwest Highway; 1601 W. Golf Road; or 2000 E. Kensington Road. Donations will be accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 16. Toys will be distributed on Saturday, Dec. 19 by the police, fire and human services departments. Cash donations or used toys cannot be accepted. (847) 392-6000.

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.

Toy drive: Daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Friday, Dec. 18, Prudential Starck Realtors, 805 W. Route 22, Lake Zurich. Drop off a new, unwrapped toy for children in need in support of the Toys for Tots program. (847) 438-8883.

Dec. 20

Blood drive: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday Dec. 20, Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. Hosted by the Men's Club of Congregation Beth Judea and held in conjunction with Life Source. For appointments, (847) 634-0777.

Campanelli YMCA food/toy drive: Through the holidays, Alfred Campanelli YMCA, 300 W. Wise Road, Schaumburg. Drop off nonperishable food items for the Schaumburg Food Pantry through Christmas and/or new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program. (847) 891-9662.

Clinic collecting outwear: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday or 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Arlington Chiropractic Clinic, 1702 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Collection of outwear includes new or gently used adult or children's coats, hats and gloves. Benefits St. Vincent DePaul Society. Call (847) 259-4493.

Elk Grove Leo Club pet food drive: The Elk Grove Leo Club, a volunteer organization for children ages 12-18, in cooperation with the Elk Grove Lions Club, is conducting a pet food and supply drive benefiting the Elk Grove Village food pantry. Look for specially marked boxes around the village, including village hall. For information, call Beth, (847) 758-0034.

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.

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.

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.

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.