Fox Valley briefs

New citizens:Elgin's 12th annual recognition program for new U.S. citizens will be held Wednesday, June 23, during the 7 p.m. city council meeting. Attendees at this brief program will be provided a personalized certificate and will be congratulated by Mayor Schock and city council members. During the ceremony, one honoree will speak briefly about his journey to citizenship followed by a musical selection by the Elgin Choral Union. After the ceremony, a reception, hosted by state Rep. Keith Farnham's office, will be held in the city hall lobby, 150 Dexter Court. Honorees may be new citizens who live or work in Elgin area, or who have taken citizenship classes in the city, as well as adopted children who recently became U.S. citizens. This annual event is coordinated by Elgin's New Citizenship Recognition Committee, a group of citizens from several civic organizations. Honorees are asked to call Rosa Sanborn at (847) 695-9050 by Monday, June 21.The Hampshire Fire Department, 202 Washington St., will host a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday, June 20. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for kids ages 6 to 12. Kids under age 6 eat free. Proceeds benefit future programs for the community. For details, call (847) 683-2629.Volunteers, donations needed in Fox River GroveAMVETS of Cary Grove Post 245 needs volunteers for its 23rd annual picnic for hospitalized veterans 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, in honor of Chris Chigas. Roughly 500 veterans from Illinois and Wisconsin will be driven to Lions Park in Fox River Grove, and organizers say it is the largest picnic in the state for veterans. It will feature food, games, boat rides and music. For more information, to volunteer or donate, call Bob Janu at (847) 639-4587.Haiti relief continues: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Elgin is still working to help survivors of the deadly January earthquake in Haiti. The church will open its Nesler Road campus at 195 Nesler Road until June 25 for drop-offs of clean clothes, children's shoes, sandals, tools, food, basic medical supplies and more. For more information or to schedule a drop-off, call (847) 741-7788 or visit gselgin.org.