Fundraisers

Events that raise money for some type of charity, including galas, golf outings, rummage sales, shopping events, fashion shows, picnics and sport nights. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

Optimist Club Christmas trees: Through December; Oakton and Lee streets, in the Kmart parking lot, Des Plaines. Fresh trees and wreaths made daily. Proceeds benefit youth activities in Des Plaines.

Christmas tree sale: Weekdays from 5-8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Elk Grove High School, Elk Grove Blvd. and Arlington Heights Road. Sponsored by the school's Instrumental Music Association. Prices are $30-$60, by cash or checks only. Proceeds benefit band and orchestra programs. (847) 806-1609. Also a wreath sale hosted by the Post Prom program. (847) 640-0135 or (847) 806-0360.

Toys for Tots: Drop off 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Thursday, Dec. 18, Prudential Starck Realtors, 826 S. Northwest Highway, Barrington, and 805 W. Route 22, Lake Zurich. Drop off a new, unwrapped gift for a child in need. (847) 438-8883.

South Barrington Toys for Tots: Through Thursday, Dec. 18, 3 Tennis Club Lane, South Barrington. Hours are: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, South Barrington Community Center lobby; 5 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, South Barrington Club lobby. Drop off a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need. (847) 381-7515.

Palatine Jaycees Christmas tree sale: 6-9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 20, Palatine Park District Aquatic Center parking lot, on Palatine Road just west of Northwest Highway. The lot will also be open from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Dec. 18

Pilates Plus WINGS fundraiser: 8:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, 654 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. The Schaumburg Dance Troupe will perform "The Nutcracker." Donations of cash, gift cards for WINGS or food and paper goods for the Schaumburg Food Pantry accepted. (847) 519-7820.

Dec. 19

NHL Alumni Signature Wine Series fundraiser: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, Teddy's Liquors, 1050 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Tasting and bottle signing. A portion of the proceeds from the Tony Esposito Cabernet Sauvignon will benefit Cougars Selects Youth Hockey and the Bobby Hull Chardonnay will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation. Must be 21 years old or come with a parent.

Dec. 22

Bowl Over Poverty Bowl-A-Thon: Monday, Dec. 22; Brunswick Mages Bowl in River Grove. Hosted by High School District 212 Girls' Bowling Team. A portion of the proceeds will help needy families celebrate Christmas. Team members are asking for pledges to support the fundraiser. (847) 451-2035, or e-mail nmarx@leyden212.org.

Dec. 23

Pilates for WINGS: 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, Pilates Plus of Schaumburg, 654 S. Roselle Road. Beginners and advanced participants are welcome. Admission fee of $10 benefits WINGS Program, Inc. pilatesmindbody.com.

Dec. 26

Vinyasa Yoga Class benefit: 6:15-7:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, Pilates Plus of Schaumburg, 654 S. Roselle Road. Beginners and advanced participants welcome. Admission of $10 benefits WINGS Program, Inc. pilatesmindbody.com.

Jan. 25

ECC Founders' Day brunch: Sunday, Jan. 25, Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $75 per person. Part of the college's 60th anniversary celebration. For tickets, (847) 214-7377 or wlgin.edu/eccfoundation.

Jan. 31

Black Creativity black-tie gala: Saturday, Jan. 31, Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago. This year's exhibit is Green Revolution; an interactive experience that explores the contributions of African Americans to ecology, conservationism and other environmental issues, runs from Jan. 15-March 1.

April 5

PAL luncheon and auction: Sunday, April 5, Maggiano's, Schaumburg. Cocktails, luncheon, presentation, live and silent auctions, raffle to benefit young adults with severe disabilities through Clearbrook's PAL, Partners in Adult Learning. (847) 870-7711.

Holiday Card sales:

• Leukemia Research Foundation holiday card program. Box of 25 for $50. Cards for all occasions including birthdays. leukemia-research.org or Dorothy, (708) 599-5778.

• Home of the Sparrow holiday cards appropriate for business or personal use. Available in packet of 10 card for $10, imprinting available for an extra fee. Sue, (847) 526-3981 or Sonja, (847) 842-9500.

2009 Calendars:

• Mount Prospect Historical Society calendar features "then-and-now" views of Mount Prospect, such as Randhurst, The Mount Prospect Public Library, St. John's Lutheran Church and the Central School, etc. Cost: $10. Available at the Mount Prospect Historical Society's Dietrich Friedrichs museum, 101 S. Maple St.; Busse Car Wash, 113 E. Prospect Ave.; the Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St.; Millie's Hallmark, 1024 S Elmhurst Road; Busse Flowers, 100 E. Northwest Hwy.; ByteMe! Computer Sales & Services, Inc., 718 E. Northwest Hwy.; and Keefer's Pharmacy, 5 W. Prospect Ave. Call (847) 392-9006.

• Four Paws Animal Foundation is now selling 2009 calendars for $12.50, which depict some of the organization's rescues as well as family pets as a fundraiser to help support their adoption and rescue efforts. Order forms for the calendars can be obtained at Banbury Fair and Heartland Animal Hospital, both in Bartlett; Hanover Park Animal Care Center; and Health Emporium in Streamwood. Forms can also be downloaded from fourpawsfoundation.petfinder.com.

Hadassah North Shore Chapter food collection: Collecting food, cleaning supplies, diapers and paper goods, such as Baggies and tinfoil for the Northfield Food Pantry. Bring donations to the North Shore office at 1724 First St, Highland Park.

Entertainment book sales:

• Klesia of Christ Church is selling the 2009 Entertainment Books for $20. Call Marilyn Comstock, (847) 827-1829; Alice Barnhart, (847) 803-8407 or Barbara Wraas, (847) 824-1591.

• Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Judea is selling the 2009 Edition Entertainment Coupon Book. The cost for the Chicago North/Northwest Book is $20. Available at the synagogue office, the Sisterhood Gift shop at the synagogue on Sundays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. or order them at entertainment.com/e-mail (Account #10520). Call (847) 634-0777.

• Na'Amat USA, Aviva Club, is currently selling 2009 Entertainment Books for $20 each with the proceeds helping to fund a variety of social service programs in Israel. Call Susie (847) 253-4085.

Mitten Tree Project: New hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for children in Des Plaines schools and others in need are being collected at the Des Plaines City Hall Lobby, 1420 Miner St., Des Plaines Park District-Prairie Lakes Facility-515 E. Thacker St.; Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood; First Bank, 678 Lee St., First Midwest Bank, 749 Lee St., Fifth Third Bank, 510 Metropolitan Way; Plaza Bank, 379 S. River Road, Midwest Bank, 1545 Ellinwood St., Des Plaines Frisbie Senior Center, 52 Northwest Hwy.; Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, 310 N. River Road and the Science & Arts Academy, 1825 Miner St.

Sheila Ray Adult Center recipe book: Hometown Favorites Recipe Book has 120 pages containing 300 recipes. Cost is $10 and proceeds go to the Sheila Ray Adult Center to enhance their programs. The The recipe book can be purchased at three Elk Grove Park District locations, the Pavilion, the Hattendorf Center and Rainbow Falls Community Center. Included with the 300 recipes is a history of the Park District Senior Center. There are recipes for appetizers, beverages, soups, salads, vegetables, main dishes, breads, rolls, desserts, cookies and candy and even Playdoh. (847) 364-7224.

Mount Prospect Emergency Food Pantry: Adopt plush polar bears or baby seals for $5-$40 from Millie's Hallmark, 1025 S. Elmhurst Road, Mount Prospect. Each plush animal comes with an adoption certificate and may be taken home starting Dec. 15. Adoptions benefit the food pantry. (847) 593-8288.