DuPage County briefs
Lake Park Haiti effort:"Hearts for Haiti" is happening this Saturday, Feb. 6, through Feb. 13 at Lake Park High School. Student Kara Field is coordinating the effort and contacted the Willy Wonka Candy Factory in Itasca, which agreed to donate about 3,700 pieces of candy to help. On Saturday and Feb. 13, Lake Park's National Honors Society will collecting donations throughout home basketball games. During the week, Feb. 8-12, honors society members will ask for at least a dollar donation during lunch periods from students and, in return, will hand out the donated candy. The group is also asking feeder schools to help by giving them an opportunity to earn a "pajama day" or "crazy hair day" if they donate a minimum of a dollar per student throughout the school. All proceeds will benefit the Red Cross.Bloomingdale talent show:"Bloomingdale's Got Talent" will kick off the 2010 Bloomingdale B-Card promotion from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, at Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale. Twelve local contestants will vie for the title of Bloomingdale's most talented, and three top prizes. This year's B-Card promotion runs Feb. 7-28 and gives shoppers access to discounts at participating businesses across town. Cards and listings of participating businesses at villageofbloomingdale.org.Pace cuts route:Pace will eliminate bus route 781 beginning Monday, Feb. 8, due to budget shortfalls. The route services the I-88 corridor. Alternative options for commuters include carpooling. For more information, visit pacebus.com.Itasca Character Counts:The Itasca Character Counts Coalition recently awarded "Show Your Good Character" honors to the following organizations and officials: Itasca Food Pantry, founded by Ann McNally and coordinated by Megan Sheridan; Itasca Public Action to Deliver Shelter, run by Eric Engel; and Itasca Deputy Police Chief Dean Myles for his contribution to the development of the Special Needs Awareness Program, which allows emergency responders to have advance knowledge of people with special needs.