Briefs: Lombard leader honored

Lombard Village President William Mueller earned the Communication and Leadership award from Toastmasters International District 30. The organizations gives the annual award to an outstanding community leader. Toastmasters International is a nonprofit group that teaches public speaking and leadership skills throughout a worldwide network of clubs. District 30 represents Chicago as well as DuPage, Cook, Lake and McHenry counties.

Gas leak closes subdivision

An Oak Brook subdivision was temporarily closed off Tuesday afternoon following a gas leak. Two homes on Sauk Path, in the Indian Lakes subdivision, were affected by the leak under the road at 2 p.m., according to the Oak Brook Fire department. The gas leak was repaired and the street was back open at 4 p.m.

Picnic for food pantry

Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry will sponsor a Picnic in December fundraiser from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the pantry, 556 W. Fifth Ave., Naperville. Dave Savini of CBS2 Chicago emcees the festivities, which include cocktails, hot and cold picnic hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, music and entertainment by Admit One DJs. Tickets are $50, with $30 being tax-deductible; make reservations by noon Thursday. For details, contact (630) 355-3663 or loavesandfishesfp@sbcglobal.net.

Alden names administrator

Naperville resident Jeff Russell has been appointed administrator of Alden Naperville Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Naperville. In his new position, Russell will oversee the facility, manage day-to-day operations and provide leadership support to staff. He previously served as Medicaid reimbursement manager for Alden Management Services. His career also includes service in the U.S. Army and with the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Dunkin' Donuts open house

Naperville resident Jeff Nave, who plans to open a new Dunkin' Donuts in Downers Grove the second week in December, will hold a pre-opening fundraiser for Sharing Connections from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at 1931 Ogden Ave. Sharing Connections is a Downers Grove-based organization that collects furniture and other supplies for needy families. Attendees will be able to sample Dunkin' Donuts' flatbread sandwiches, pizzas, doughnuts and coffee. For details, call (630) 971-0560.

Park police finish program

Four patrol officers with the Naperville Park District Police Department graduated this month from the STTAR Basic Training Program for Part-Time Officers. The graduates are officers James Goschey, Michael Kelly, Christopher Krzos and Kristie Machtan. Machtan received special recognition for achieving high academic honors. The program takes candidates about nine months to complete.

Care items go to troops

Staff and members of Hawthorne Credit Union in Naperville recently donated 235 pounds of items to Operation Support Our Troops Illinois. The items, which will go to troops stationed in the Middle East, range from beef jerky and other snacks to hand sanitizers and shaving cream. Hawthorne began soliciting donations from its members on Sept. 11 and stockpiled items in its Naperville and Bolingbrook branch lobbies as a visual reminder for people to drop items off whenever they visited the credit union.