Stuffed animal adoption to help fill increase food pantry needs
Bob Dooley and Bill Reddy, owners of Millie's Hallmark, 1024 S. Elmhurst Road, are once again assisting the Mount Prospect emergency food pantry.
In 2007, they instituted a stuffed animal "adoption" program to help raise awareness and funds for Mount Prospect's human services department emergency food pantry and customers adopted scores of penguins, raising a total of $1,700 for the pantry.
This year Millie's Hallmark's window display features a North Pole theme and the plush animals available for adoption include small, medium and large Gund Plush polar bears as well as baby seals. Prices range from $5 to $40.
"Due to the state of the economy this year, our food pantry stock is down 50 percent from last year, and demand has increased by 168 percent. Everyone has been affected," said Nancy Morgan, director of human services for the village.
"The human services department is enthusiastic about the opportunity to partner with local businesses to raise public awareness and money for the food pantry this holiday season."
All proceeds from the adoption program will be donated to the pantry. Each animal comes with an adoption certificate.
There are a limited number of stuffed animals available for adoption. So, if you would like to "Adopt a Polar Pal" and help families needing assistance at the same time, stop by Millie's Hallmark, make a cash or check "adoption donation" and you will be able to return to take home your Polar Pal starting Dec. 15.
Toy Drive: Officer Friendly, the Mount Prospect Police Department and Alexian Brothers Medical Center are teaming up to bring joy to the underprivileged children of Mount Prospect through their Holiday Toy Drive.
The trio is asking area businesses and residents to donate unwrapped new toys to the Mount Prospect Police Department's crime prevention unit, 112 E. Northwest Highway, by Dec. 10. Officer Friendly will also be happy to pick up larger toy donations.
Toys are needed for children from infants to twelve year olds. Gift cards, checks and cash donations will also be accepted and will be used by police officers to purchase toys for the children. Checks can be made out to the Mount Prospect Police Toy Drive.
The Police department will create a winter wonderland on Dec. 13 where the children, identified by district social workers and school nurses, will be able to meet Santa, have a family portrait taken with the jolly old elf and receive a holiday gift.
For more information on the holiday toy drive, call Officer Friendly Bill Roscop at (847) 870-5650.
Senior Christmas Party: The annual Mount Prospect Senior Advisory Council Christmas party will be held at noon, Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Wellington of Arlington, 2121 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.
The party is open to all senior citizens living in Mount Prospect. The cost is $20 per person and it includes lunch, entertainment and door prizes.
Reservations must be made and paid for in person at the Village of Mount Prospect human services department, 50 S. Emerson St. by Monday. Call (847) 870-5680.
Wonderful Music of Christmas: The Mount Prospect Community Band will present its "The Wonderful Music of Christmas" concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 605 W. Golf Road, as the final event of the Mount Prospect Winter Festival weekend.
The concert is free and held in conjunction with the Trinity Women's annual Christmas Cookie Walk. Go early to buy your selection of home-baked cookies and then enjoy your favorite carols and Christmas songs to get into the holiday mood. A free offering will be taken to support the PADS homeless program.