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.

Recycle small electronics: Nov. 1-Jan. 31; Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton, is collecting small electronic items to recycle. All donated items are tax deductible, and forms will be available on the bins. Items accepted are cell phones, DVDs, DVD games/consoles, MP3 players, print cartridges, digital cameras, digital video recorders, and laptops/notebooks. Items not accepted are computer monitors, printers, toner cartridges, and personal computers. The library is working with Recycling Avenue, a nonprofit company run by a group of physically challenged young adults who want to help the environment. Call (847) 506-2618.

Holiday book drive: Through Dec. 14; Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson. Bring new or like-new unwrapped books for local children in need for ages six and under. Books in English and Spanish are appreciated. Call (847) 253-5675.

Children's book collection: Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton, is collecting new books for children ages infant to age 16 in both English and Spanish. Donations benefit the Wheeling Township Adopt-a-Family holiday basket program. Drop off book donations in the collection bin at the first floor Checkout desk through Dec. 3. Call (847) 506-2613.

Eli Skinner Chapter, NSDAR: The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is seeking volunteers to make wool caps for the troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and South Korea. Wool head covering which can be worn under the Kevlar helmet provides warmth to the head and neck, but does not restrict vision. Patterns are available at www.geocities.com/helmetliner. For details, contact helmetliner@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 236, Auburn, IL 62615.

Donations for Fines: Through Tuesday, Nov. 25, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. The library will accept donations of diapers, new baby items and new children's books to benefit Shelter, Inc. in Arlington Heights, an emergency shelter for children that also provides educational programs for first-time, at-risk parents. For each donation, the library will waive $2 of overdue fines. For information, call (847) 634-3650.

Nov. 19

Meet With Congresswoman Schakowsky's office: 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 19; Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood. Ann Limjoco from Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's office will answer questions about immigration, visas, Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, and other government benefits. Drop by any time. No registration required.

Nov. 20

District 54 Board of Education mee ts: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, 524 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Call Sherry, (847) 357-5038 for information.

Nov. 24

Town hall meeting: 7-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, Countryside Unitarian Church, 1025 N. Smith Road, Palatine. Join Northwest Now, Women Employed, Working Families Win, Citizen Action, local legislators and your neighbors for a town hall meeting on the need for health care reform and paid sick days in Illinois.

Nov. 30

Blood drive: 8:30 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 30; Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. Bring a state ID or driver's license. People will be scheduled every 20 minutes.  To make an appointment, call (847) 634-0777.

Dec. 6

Surviving the economic crisis: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Hanover Park Park District Community Center, 1919 Walnut St., Hanover Park. Hanover Park's Inclusion and Diversity committee presents "Surviving this Economic Crisis" strengthening our family symposium. Free. Bring nonperishable food items for the local food pantry. To R.S.V.P. call Toni Carter at (630) 372-4203.

Dec. 10

Schaumburg Library blood drive: 1-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, Youth Services classroom of the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road. Sign up by calling Susan Miura at (847) 923-3120.

Dec. 11

Brown Bag lunch with U-46 superintendent: Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, Educational Services center, room 235, 355 E. Chicago St., Elgin. The public is invited to lunch with Dr. Jose M. Torres, U-46 school superintendent.

Jan 15

U-46 community meeting: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin. Dr. Jose M. Torres, U-46 school superintendent, hosts an open session to meet with U-46 community members preceding the Citizens' Advisory Council meeting. www.u-46.org.

March 12

U-46 community meeting: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin. Dr. Jose M. Torres, U-46 school superintendent, hosts an open session to meet with U-46 community members preceding the Citizens' Advisory Council meeting. www.u-46.org.

May 7

U-46 community meeting: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, May 7, Elgin High School, 1200 Maroon Drive, Elgin. Dr. Jose M. Torres, U-46 school superintendent, hosts an open session to meet with U-46 community members preceding the Citizens' Advisory Council meeting. www.u-46.org.