Fox Valley briefs

Gang forum at Burlington-Central:The Elgin Gang and Drug Task force and the Kane County Sheriff's office will give a presentation on gang awareness at 7 p.m. March 7 at Central High School, 44W625 Plato Road, Hampshire. A representative from Centegra Hospital will also discuss drug use among teens and a parent will share her story regarding her teenage daughter's struggle with drugs.ECC hosts Darfur fundraiser:Elgin Community College students are hosting a "Dance for Darfur" to raise funds to help stop genocide. The fundraiser will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. March 17 at ECC's Events Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. It is sponsored by college's Writers Center, Amnesty International, Black Students Association, Spartan Design Club and ECC's Office of Student Life, the dance will feature a live performance by The Qballs, a blues, funk, rock and soul band. It's free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged and will be accepted at the door. Since 2006, college officials noted in a news release, ECC has raised more than $6,000 for the cause. For details, call Rachael Tecza at (847) 214-7578.Need tax prep help?:United Way of Elgin's Income Impact Council is offering free income tax preparation to families who made $50,000 or less in 2009 or individuals who made $25,000 or less. IRS-certified volunteers will be available to help from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. The program runs through April 15. No appointments are necessary; it's first come, first served. For details, call United Way of Elgin at (847) 741-2259 or visit the Center for Economic Progress Web site: www.economicprogress.org.Give old phone to help troops:You can donate your old, unused wireless phone to help soldiers serving overseas. Old phones will be accepted at three locations: 723 S. Route 31, West Dundee; 261 Keyes Ave., Hampshire; or 1400 S. Route 31, McHenry. The donated phones will be sent by the Illinois Fox Valley SHRM to ReCellular, which pays to give soldiers an hour of talk time. For details, call (847) 426-2266 or visit theagencystaffing.com.