Charity Briefs for Jan. 17, 2012

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Updated: February 18, 2012 8:11AM

Battle of the pizzas: A pizza contest to support the Cancer Support Center will take place Jan. 21. Cast your vote for the best pizza in the New Lenox area in a public contest at 5:30 p.m. at VFW Post 9545, 323 Old Hickory Road, New Lenox. The event is sponsored by the community board of the Cancer Support Center, which has offices in Mokena and Homewood. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 10 and under, and includes pizza and pop. A cash bar will be available and music will be provided by Good Time DJ/Mobile Beat Service. Several restaurants will compete in four categories — cheese, sausage, pepperoni and specialty. Judging ends at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.CancerSupportCenter.org.

Volunteers needed: Two continuing care retirement communities are seeking volunteers and are holding one-hour orientation sessions for those interested. Smith Village, 2320 W. 113th Place in Chicago’s Beverly community, will hold an orientation at 10 a.m. Jan. 21. Smith Crossing at 10501 Emilie Lane, Orland Park, will hold an orientation at 10 a.m. Jan. 28. Orientation is required to volunteer. Visit www.SmithSeniorLiving.org to complete a mandatory application before the orientations.

Brides on a budget: More than 100 sample wedding gowns donated to Together We Cope by a local bridal shop will be showcased from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 25 at the agency’s Nu2u resale shop, 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. Gowns will be sold for $50 to $75, and no alterations are available. Some slips and veils also are available. There will be vendors present for cakes, flowers, music, jewelry and makeup to help brides-to-be plan their weddings. Register for the free “Bride on a Budget” event at the Nu2u shop during normal business hours, or by contacting Gina at (708) 633-5040.

Clothes for homeless: The New Lenox Rotary Club will sponsor a clothing drive from noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 28 at the New Lenox Public Library, 120 Veterans Parkway. The clothing drive will benefit The Daybreak Center, which provides emergency housing and supportive services to individuals and families who are homeless. The center is looking for new or gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing in all sizes. For more information, contact Kate Hall at (815) 485-2605.

Warming Hearts: Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin and Village Clerk Dave Maher have teamed up to lead Orland Park’s “Warm a Heart Winter Drive.” The village is collecting new winter hats, scarves, gloves and mittens for needy children and adults through Feb. 1. Contributions may be delivered to the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall at 14700 S. Ravinia Ave. or the village’s Sportsplex, 11351 W. 159th St. Information: (708) 403-6188.

Tickets to paradise: Tickets are on sale for Park Lawn’s “Hawaii Trip for Two Raffle,” with the winner receiving a tropical trip for two for seven nights on two islands, round-trip and inner airfare, hotel accommodations and car rental. Tickets cost $100 each and only 400 tickets will be sold. The drawing will take place Feb. 4 at the Double Tree Hotel in Alsip during Park Lawn’s “A Rhapsody in Blue” live and silent auction. Tickets to the auction are sold separately. Call (708) 425-6867, or visit Park Lawn at 10833 S. LaPorte in Oak Lawn.

Driven for charity: The Franciscan Alliance Foundation, St. James Health will again participate in the annual Chicago Auto Show First Look For Charity, on Feb. 9 at McCormick Place. First Look for Charity is the black-tie event held the evening before the Chicago Auto Show opens to the public. The event annually raises about $2 million for 18 Chicago-area charities, including Franciscan St. James Health, which has health care facilities in Chicago Heights, Olympia Fields, Homewood and Tinley Park. Two attendees will win the keys to a 2012 Cadillac Escalade and a 2012 Cadillac SRX. Hors d’oeuvres, champagne, wine, soft drinks and desserts are included. Call (708) 747-4000, Ext. 5470, or visit www.chicagoautoshow.com/firstlook for tickets and information.

Cause 4 Paws: The Animal Welfare League will host its inaugural masquerade gala, Mardi Cause 4 Paws, from 7 p.m. to midnight Feb. 10 at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park. Advance tickets are $35 ($45 at the door) and include admission, food, beer, wine, soda, dessert and live entertainment from “Timing’s Everything,” a Chicago band. Adoptable animals, raffles, 50/50, merchandise and silent auctions are included. Attendees must be over 21. Contact Terri Sparks at (708) 636-8586, Ext. 268 or terri.sparks@animalwelfareleague.com.

St. Damian gala: St. Damian School is hosting its 21st Annual Fashion Gala Event Feb. 16 at Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St. in Oak Forest. St. Damian students, from preschool to eighth grade, will dance in the show, as will parents and teachers. At 5:30 p.m., cocktails will be served and a raffle/silent auction room will be open. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. and the fashion show will be at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person. Contact Lori Ward at (708) 687-4230.

Three Decades Of Giving: Together We Cope’s annual dinner dance on Feb. 24 will celebrate the agency’s 30 years of service. The event will take place at Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park. Tickets are $90 per person. With purchase of a table of 10, the 10th ticket is free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.togetherwecope.org or by contacting Karen Moran at (708) 633-5040 or kmoran@togetherwecope.org.

Heart to Heart gala: Dinner dance tickets, ad book advertising space and sponsorship opportunities are available for the Crisis Center for South Suburbia’s annual fundraiser, Heart to Heart Extravaganza, to be held on Feb. 25 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. Tickets cost $80, which will include dinner, silent and live auctions, $10,000 raffle and entertainment by The Jimmy O and Rhonda Lee Duo. Frankfort’s Jeffrey Blanchette, past president of the Crisis Center for South Suburbia and banking executive, will receive the Dianne Masters Award. The Corporate Recognition Award will be presented to The PrivateBank and Mark Kotheimer will be awarded the CCSS Volunteer Spirit Award. Contact Karen Wegrzyn at (708) 429-7255, Ext. 116.

Walking to end hunger: Plans are under way for the 2012 South Suburban CROP Hunger Walk, scheduled for April 22 and beginning and ending this year at St. Paul Community Church, 18200 Dixie Highway in Homewood. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. and the walk will start at 2 p.m. Walkers will walk through Homewood and Flossmoor, with designated rest stops at various churches along the route. All participating congregations and organizations are encouraged to have a representative at the CROPWALK Rally from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 10. Contact Lucy Kokal at (708)799-7953, or visit www.southsuburbancropwalk.com.

Donations sought: The Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn is seeking donations as part of its annual appeal. In 2012, the museum is trying to raise money for its new “We the People” interactive exhibit, which will teach kids about the importance of patriotism and includes pieces of two beams from the World Trade Center. Donations can be made online at the museum’s website, www.cmoaklawn.org, by following the links to donate or become a member; by mail at Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn, 5100 Museum Drive, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 or in person at the museum. Call (708) 423-6709.

Boot drive: Share Your Soles is seeking donations to help meet the needs of the thousands of bootless children in the Chicago area. Monetary donations and boot donations can be mailed to or dropped off at the Share Your Soles facility, 5623 W. 115th St., Alsip, IL 60803.

Pets for vets: To ease the financial costs associated with pet ownership, the Animal Welfare League offers all veterans with military ID an exclusive 20 percent adoption fee discount. Adoptions include a free leash and collar or cat carrier, AVID Microchip, 10-day health care and one-year rabies vaccination. Adoptable pets can be viewed online at www.animalwelfareleague.com or by visiting the Chicago Ridge location, noon to 8 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 11a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Veterans can also get a 10 percent discount off veterinary services through its clinic, which is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays. Information: visit www.PetsforPatriots.org or call (877) 473-8223.

SSC Foundation: The South Suburban College Foundation 2011 Donor Drive in progress with the goal of raising $100,000 for scholarship and student assistance funds. Gifts can include cash, stock, insurance and bequests. New scholarships can be established with a $750 donation. Information: Patrick Rush at (708) 596-2000, Ext. 2697 or www.ssc.edu.

Sturdy bed sought: Sertoma Centre has learned of an individual with disabilities who is in need of a sturdy bed. Anyone with a bed that can support a person who weighs between 350 and 400 pounds that they would like to donate, can call the Advancement Department of Sertoma Center at (708) 371-9700 or visit info@sertomacentre.org.

Volunteers sought: Catholic Charities is seeking volunteers to help at “The Giving Tree” donation center at 3016 S. State St. in Lockport. Volunteers will assist with sorting, organizing and distributing a variety of items. Volunteers must be available to help on weekdays and be at least 18. Contact Marianne Holzhauer at (815) 774-4663, Ext. 3105 for information. If you are in need of services, contact Daybreak Center at the same phone number. For more information about the programs and services provided by Catholic Charities, visit catholiccharitiesjoliet.org.

Ring up donations: South Suburban Family Shelter is seeking cell phone donations and new cell phone collection sites for its ongoing fundraising program. The agency works with a company that specializes in the collection and recycling of used cellular phones. Some cell phone collection sites include: SSFS administrative office, 18139 Harwood, Homewood; Bergstein’s NY Deli, 200 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights; and Doyle Designed Salon, 2630 Flossmoor Road., Flossmoor. Call (708) 794-2140, Ext.303.

Opportunities for animals: The Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge is selling Golden Opportunities Books 2012 for $25 each to raise money for its homeless animals. The books offer 50 percent-off coupons and two-for-one discounts at local restaurants, movies, grocers, sporting events and more. The Chicagoland South Suburban/Northwest Indiana Edition is available at the shelter. Call (708) 636-8586, Ext. 268.

Filling pantries: Working to meet unprecedented demand at its pantries in Worth and Summit, Catholic Charities southwest regional office is accepting donations of food and money earmarked for the pantries at its office, 7000 W. 111th St. in Worth. Call (708) 430-0428.

Keeping kids warm: Together We Cope is seeking donations of new and gently used coats for distribution in its annual children’s winter clothing program. The donations will go to children of families registered with the agency for assistance. All sizes and styles are appreciated, but larger size boys coats are especially needed. Donations can be brought to the agency’s resale shop, Nu2u, at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park. Contact Pat Hosman at (708) 633-9180 or www.togetherwecope.org

New program: Sertoma Centre Inc. hopes to reach a growing population of individuals who have been dually diagnosed with a developmental disability and mental illness. Its new program is a part of the Developmental Training Programs at Sertoma Centre, which will provide the opportunity for individuals to receive group or individual counseling. Participants in the program also will be given alternatives to talk therapies to better suit the needs of a wide range of individuals. Art, sand and play therapy techniques will be utilized for those who struggle with expressing their thoughts and feelings. Also, the utilization of poetry, music, and journaling will be implemented for relaxation and therapeutic interventions. Contact Heather Beckner at (708) 730-6333 or at hbeckner@sertomacentre.org.

Un-fundraiser set: The Lyndsey Whittingham Foundation did not host the annual “Lynzapalooza” fundraising event in 2011 but has been sponsoring an “un-fundraiser” in Lyndsey’s name. The foundation will continue its commitments to various causes with funds raised at past events and those received through the 2011 “Un-Fundraiser” campaign. Individuals may make a donation by credit card through a secure PayPal account at www.lyndseywhittinghamfoundation.com or send a check payable to The Lyndsey Whittingham Foundation, P.O. Box 42, Frankfort, IL 60423. The foundation honors the memory of Lyndsey Whittingham, a Frankfort woman who died after being hit by a taxi in Chicago in 2006 at the age of 23. Funds raised are used to provide donations to causes, charities and scholarships in her name. Contact John or Julie Pyle at (815) 474-6391 or email lwf@lyndseywhittinghamfoundation.com.

Gift cards aid shelter: South Suburban Family Shelter is participating in Jewel-Osco’s gift card program. Gift cards are available for purchase in $25, $50 and $100 increments, and the shelter will receive a 5 percent rebate for cards sold by the agency. Payment is made to South Suburban Family Shelter for the face value of the gift card: Proceeds benefit the programs and services provided free of charge to victims of domestic violence and their families. Contact the shelter at (708) 794-2140, Ext.303, or visit the administrative offices at 18139 Harwood, Homewood.

Tickets for a cause: Sertoma Centre Inc. has joined Tix4Cause.com, a ticket exchange website, to offer a new way for supporters to donate. The Tix4Cause website provides an online platform where ticketholders can donate unwanted tickets to Sertoma Centre and receive a tax deduction. Buyers then purchase these tickets, often at reasonable prices, and Tix4Cause passes 100 percent of the proceeds on to Sertoma Centre. Tix4Cause handles every aspect of customer service including ticket processing and handling. Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park is the first to donate tickets on behalf of Sertoma Centre. The tickets are valued at $140 and include four rounds of open play, 1-18 holes on their course. Sertoma Centre Inc. is a nonprofit agency that provides services to more than 625 individuals with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities and/or mental illness. Contact Melanie Jones at (708) 730-6206, www.sertomacentre.org or visit www.tix4cause.com.

Shop for PADS: South Suburban PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) has joined the network of charitable organizations that turn gently used fashions and accessories into cash at the Spree store at 151st Street and LaGrange Road in Orland Park. All donations of gently used clothing, shoes, jewelry, purses and other accessories donated at the Spree store can earn money for PADS. When individuals drop their items at Spree and select PADS as the charity of their choice, PADS receives a check for these donations. Information: Contact Dawn Thrasher at (708) 754-4357, Ext. 107, or dawn@sspads.org.

Furniture helps Sertoma: Sertoma Centre, with locations in Alsip and Matteson, is seeking donations of furniture for resale at its thrift store. Sertoma will pick up used donated furniture items and provide a receipt for tax purposes. The thrift store sales benefit more than 625 physically or developmentally challenged clients being served at the Sertoma Centre each day. To schedule a pickup, contact Karey Wentz, Thrift Store manager, at (708) 481-5627, or e-mail kwentz@sertomacentre.org.

Replenish the pantry: Elsie’s Pantry, located at Moraine Valley Community Church in Palos Hills, has an ongoing need for canned goods and monetary donations to keep up with the increasing need. Since June 2000, the pantry has served more than 27,000 people living in Palos Hills, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Hickory Hills and parts of Bridgeview, Justice, Orland Park, Willow Springs and Worth. However, donations have decreased over the past two years, forcing the pantry to use its reserves, which, if not replenished, would run out by the end of the year. Canned goods can be brought to the church between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Donations by check may be made to Elsie’s Pantry, 8601 W. 107th St., Palos Hills, 60465. Information: (708) 598-4435.

Free bag of food: New Mercies Community Services was organized in 2003 to provide support services to low-income, elderly and disabled families in south Cook County. The organization operates a food pantry in Midlothian that distributes bags of food twice weekly to this same targeted population. Food distribution is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at New Mercies Community Services, 3824 W. 147th St., Midlothian. Donations to support the service also are sought. Information: Laurie Reed at (708) 606-2864.

Come clean: Together We Cope is seeking donations of personal care items — including shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap and disposable razors — that will be shared with families utilizing food pantry services. Donations of any quantity may be dropped off at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. Tinley Park. Together We Cope is a nonprofit agency assisting families in temporary crisis from 22 south suburban communities. Information: Suellen or Tina at (708) 633-5040 or www.togetherwecope.org.

Reaching out: Together We Cope in Tinley Park has established an emergency outreach food program with Faith United Methodist Church as a partner. Emergency bags of nonperishable food will be delivered to the Orland Park church to increase outreach to families needing food. The organization seeks to establish similar partnerships with other area churches. Information: Mary Ann Baer at (708) 633-5040.

Furniture pickup: Together We Cope has added an additional day to its schedule for furniture pickups in Tinley Park and nearby suburbs. With pickups on Tuesdays and Fridays, there now is new inventory of gently used furniture twice a week at the organization’s resale shop, located at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park. The shop is open six days a week, and a small donation is requested for furniture pickups. Information: Call the shop at (708) 633-9180 or visit www.togetherwecope.org. Together We Cope is a nonprofit agency assisting families in crisis from 27 south suburban communities.

Help soldiers call home: “Cell Phones for Soldiers” was started by two teenagers to help buy calling cards to send to U.S. military stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world. They are collecting old cell phones and accessories. The cell phones are recycled for cash and proceeds used to buy the calling cards for the soldiers. “Cell Phones for Soldiers” has raised almost $2 million in donations and distributed more than 500,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas. Daniels Printing and Office Supply, 14800 Cicero Ave., Oak Forest, is an official drop-off point for any make or model cell phone. Information: www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com.

Seeking senior volunteers: The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Catholic Charities is seeking people 55 or older willing to share their talents and help those in need at a variety of local organizations, mainly in the Joliet Diocese. Catholic Charities will match individual interests with available volunteer opportunities and will provide supplementary insurance, mileage and meal reimbursement during volunteer service. Information: Cindy, (815) 933-7791, Ext. 125.

Donate cell phones: South Suburban Family Shelter is collecting old cell phones to be recycled. The recycling process produces revenue to support the shelter’s services. The Rotary Club of Park Forest has paired up with the shelter to help in the collection process. For a list of donation sites, visit www.rotaryofparkforest.org and click on “cell phone locations,” or www.ssfs1.org and click on “donate.”

Wendy’s Night: VFW Post 177 MacDonald-Linn has a fundraiser between 5 and 8 p.m. the last Wednesday of each month at the Wendy’s Restaurant at 79th Street and Harlem Avenue in Bridgeview. Proceeds benefit the VFW National Home for Children, located in Michigan. Participants simply order food (drive-through or sit-in) from Wendy’s during this time period, and Wendy’s donates a portion of its profits to this cause.

Food for victims: South Suburban Family Shelter is in need of nonperishable food items such as canned soups, vegetables and fruit for its clients who are experiencing domestic violence. Personal hygiene products (regular, not sample size please) are also needed. Donations may be dropped off at 18139 Harwood, Homewood. Please call ahead before dropping off items. Contact the shelter at (708) 794-2140, Ext. 303.