Charity Briefs for Feb. 21, 2012

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Quilters Plus Guild members are pictured with Bob Urquhart, Chapter Director of the Quilts for Kids Illinois. Guild members dedicated their monthly sew-in to making quilts for Quilts for Kids to donate to Children's Memorial Hospital's pediatric cancer patients. The guild's goal is to make 25 quilts. In addition to the sew-in, Quilters Plus has monthly meetings and programs at the Blakey Center in Glenwood, and supports ongoing community service projects. For more information, visit www.quiltersplus.com.

Updated: March 22, 2012 8:09AM

Meals and Mardi Gras: Senior Services Center of Will County will hold its March Meals Mardi Gras cocktail party and silent auction from 4 to 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at Harrah’s Joliet Casino and Hotel, 151 N. Joliet St., Joliet. Cost is $25 and also includes music from New Orleans. Proceeds will benefit Senior Services of Will County’s Nutrition Program. Call (815) 723-9713.

Spaghetti Dinner: Cub Scout Pack 94 will host its annual all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 22 at the New Lenox, 323 Old Hickory Road, New Lenox. A pasta dinner will be catered by Pizza Mia. The cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 4 to 10 and free for children age 3 and younger. Take-out available. Dinner includes pasta, meatballs, salad, bread and beverages. Desserts also will be available for sale from the Girl Scouts. Information: www.pack 94.com.

Relay for Life: The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Harvey/Markham will hold its annual kickoff event at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Harvey Community Center, 15320 Center Ave. Refreshments will be served and the registration fee will be waived for teams who sign up before or during the kickoff event. This year’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Harvey/Markham will be July 21 at Thornton Township High School in Harvey. Call (708) 633-7770 or visit relayforlife.org/harveymarkhamil.

Dining for veterans: The Illinois Military Order of The Purple Heart Veterans Organization is partnering with Francesca’s restaurants on Feb. 22 to raise funds to display the State of Illinois’ Movable Memorial Wall of Honor. Diners need to present an MOPH coupon or mention the Purple Heart Veterans to their server and a portion of their dinner cost will go to the organization. Francesca’s on 95th in Oak Lawn, Francesca’s Fortunato in Frankfort, Francesca’s Vicinato in Palos Park, and Francesca’s on the Promenade in Bolingbrook are among the participating Illinois Francesca’s restaurants.

Red Carpet event: Together We Cope is marking its 30th anniversary at its annual Red Carpet Event dinner dance, scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Odyssey Country Club, 19110 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Tinley Park. The event includes a buffet dinner, dancing, music, raffles and silent and live auctions of many items. Tickets for the dinner are $90 per person. Live auction items include a week’s stay in a Florida condominium, four “park hopper” passes to Disney World and two Southwest Airlines tickets for any city to which the airline flies. Guests can bid to have a dinner of their choice prepared and served at the home of John and Pat Slack, of New Lenox, in the “Dinner for Six” special auction item. John Slack is a food aficionado who once was “chef for a day” at Charlie Trotter’s restaurant in Chicago. The dinner will be served by state Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest). Contact Karen Moran at (708) 633-5040 or via email at kmoran@togetherwecope.org or visit www.togetherwecope.org.

Supporting Abby: Abby’s Army Foundation is looking for silent auction items, as well as individual and corporate sponsorships, for its fundraiser, 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 25 at Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest. The event, which was created in honor of 10-year-old Abby Skarbek, who was diagnosed with leukemia, is sold out. But supporters can buy raffle tickets at $10 each or three for $25. Donated items and gift certificates to be used as prizes are also needed. The event supports children and families battling cancer. Email abbysarmyfoundation@gmail.com or call (815) 469-2242.

Celebrating black labor: The historic A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum will celebrate its 17th anniversary from 6 to 10 p.m. Feb. 25 with the A. Philip Randolph Gentle Warrior Awards Banquet at the Grand Marmon, 2230 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Proceeds will go toward the creation of the African-American Labor and Cultural Studies Research Center, which will serve as the research arm of the museum. For more information and to buy tickets for the event, visit aprpullmanportermuseum.org and follow the link for the event.

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 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.

Breakfast benefit: A pancake breakfast for Boy Scout Troop 385 will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 26 in the St. George School lunch room, 7600 W. 176th St., Tinley Park. Tickets at the door are $6 for all-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, eggs with peppers and onions, sausage links, coffee, milk and juice. Raffles will be held every hour and a bake sale is included.

Pets and pizza: Triple R Pets and LuLu’s Locker, nonprofit organizations working to alleviate pet overpopulation, are celebrating National Spay/Neuter Day with a “spay-ghetti” dinner to be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 28 at Beggars Pizza, 15600 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Forest. Donations are $20. One child under 10 may eat free. All proceeds cover medical costs for rescued animals. Pasta, vegan pizza, other refreshments, a cash bar, raffles and a silent auction are included. Tickets can be bought at the door or online at triplerpets.org/?p-916. for more information, email info@tripleRpets.org.

Wings for children: Chicago-area Hooters restaurants are donating a portion of their chicken wings sales every Tuesday in February to the Wings for Children program benefitting Holy Family School’s Tuition Assistance Fund. Hooters restaurants at 17060 S. Torrence Ave. in Lansing, 9159 S. Cicero Ave. in Oak Lawn, and 15300 S. La Grange Road in Orland Park, will donate one-third of all guests’ chicken wing purchases to fund school tuition for underprivileged children in the community.

Volunteers needed: The American Cancer Society is hosting volunteer welcome sessions and open houses at the Tinley Park regional office, 17060 S. Oak Park Ave. The upcoming sessions will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29 and 10 a.m. to noon March 1. Call (708) 633-7770 for information and to register.

Relay kickoff: The American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Bridgeview/Justice will hold its annual kickoff event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 1 at the Muehe Building, 89th and Harlem in Bridgeview. This year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Bridgeview/Justice will be hosted July 20 and 21 by the Bridgeview Park District. Volunteers are needed for a variety of duties. Contact the American Cancer Society at (708) 484-8542 or visit relayforlife.org/bridgeviewil.

Music and pasta: The Lincoln-Way East Music Boosters will host their annual Spaghetti Dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. March 2 in the school cafeteria, 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort. Tickets are $7 each and can be bought at the door. Children age 5 and under are free. Dinner includes spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce, a lettuce salad, bread roll, beverage and dessert as the school’s music students entertain. Proceeds will benefit the music programs at Lincoln-Way East.

Fish and jazz: The Music Boosters’ 4th annual Friday Night Fish Fry will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. March 2, 16, 23 and 30 at Lincoln-Way North High School, 19900 S. Harlem Ave., Frankfort. Tickets are $10 each and can be bought at the door or through the Lincoln-Way North Music Boosters. Included are deep-fried fish, baked potatoes, french fries, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, bread, cole slaw, coffee and lemonade. Baked goods will be sold at an additional cost. The Lincoln-Way North Jazz Band and choir will provide entertainment. Curbside service will be available.

Dance for Life: Morgan Park Academy’s Annual Charity Dance Show, 7 p.m. March 2 and 3 at the academy, 2153 W. 111th St., Chicago, will benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Dancers’ Fund. Cost is $5 for students, seniors and faculty, and $10 for adults. All tickets will be sold at the door. The student-directed, student-produced show will feature original choreography from Cara Kraus-Perrotta, Sarah Eichinger and Brianna Kramer. Each year, the Charity Dance Show raises about $2,000 to help fight HIV/AIDS in Chicago.

Evening of hope, healing: The Cancer Support Center will present its annual gala March 3 at Idlewild Country Club, 19201 Dixie Highway, Flossmoor, for “An Evening of Help, Hope, Healing & History.” A cocktail reception begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and festivities. Raffles, silent auction, dinner and dancing are included. Guests may honor or recognize a loved one through a special tribute to be displayed at the event. To buy tickets, tables, raffle tickets or tributes, contact Michelle Paetow at (708) 798-9171 or visit www.CancerSupportCenter.org .

All that jazz: The 23rd Annual Lemont High School Band Benefit Dinner Dance, featuring the music of the school’s jazz bands, will be from 6 to 11:30 p.m. March 3 at the Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave. in Willow Springs. All proceeds support the award-winning Lemont High School band programs. Reservations are $55 per person, and include dinner, dancing and a cash bar. Admission is $10 for those interested in attending only the dancing portion of the event. They may not enter until 9 p.m. To order tickets, contact Candise Grossi at paulcandis@comcast.net or (708) 785-5721, or print an order form from the band’s website at www.lemontband.org.

Cuts for a cure: Fifty Sport Clips locations in the Chicago area, including several in the Southland, are participating in an in-store fundraiser through March 3 to support St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding research to find cures for kids with cancer. To learn more and make a donation, speak to a Sport Clips stylist at any participating locations. For Sport Clips locations, visit haircutmenchicagoil.com. To learn more about St. Baldrick’s Foundation, visit StBaldricks.org.

Pizza for education: Kenootz Pizza is supporting St. Christopher School on March 6 by donating 25 percent of all profits for dine-in, carryout and delivery orders (before taxes, gratuity and coupons) on that day. Please mention St. Christopher School when ordering to have the 25 percent donated to the school. Kenootz Pizza is at 4659 W. 147th St., Midlothian. Call (708) 535-0005.

Volunteers needed: Sertoma Centre Inc. is looking for volunteers to help pack exhibitor booths at the International Housewares Show at McCormick Place in Chicago on March 13. Sertoma Centre is one of five charities allowed to receive donations from the exhibitors at this trade show. Products from the Housewares Show are used in all Sertoma facilities and residences. In addition, donated merchandise is sold at Sertoma Centre’s thrift store, Good as New, in Matteson. Coach buses will leave Sertoma Centre, 4343 W. 123rd St. in Alsip, at 4 p.m. and return by 9:30 p.m. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Register as a volunteer by March 6 by contacting Karey Wentz at (708) 481-5627 or kwentz@sertomacentrel.org or Amy Chmura at (708) 8730-6206 or achmura@sertomacentre.org.

Dentistry from the heart: Drs. Cary Goldberg, Charles Greenebaum and Lynn Malone from The Center for Dental Excellence, along with oral surgeons Drs. Robert Schwartz and George Morris, will host an annual Dentistry From The Heart event — providing a free day of dental care to those in need — from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 7 at The Center for Dental Excellence, 19615 Governors Highway, Flossmoor. The doctors’ goal is to help as many people as they can in that time frame. Lines are expected to begin forming early. Visit www.dentistryfromtheheart.org.

Celebrating Dr. Seuss: The Rich Readers, of Rich South High School, 5000 Sauk Trail in Richton Park, are planning another family reading night at the school on March 9. The students will be reading a Dr. Seuss book, “Horton Hears a Who,” to small groups of children to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Children also will be able to complete a craft and watch the movie in the school auditorium. The Rich Readers are seeking book donations so every child will go home with a book at the end of the evening. Monetary donations are also sought to help fund the free event at www.donorschoose.org/richreaders. Books can be dropped off at the school to the attention of event coordinator Jodi Jordan.

Benefit concert: The Avalon String Quartet will perform a benefit concert at 7:30 p.m. March 10 at the Auditorium at Marian Catholic High School, 700 Ashland Ave., Chicago Heights, with guest artist John Bruce Yeh. Yeh is a Grammy Award-winning clarinetist. The proceeds will benefit the programs of the Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra. The Avalon String Quartet are artists in residence at Northern Illinois University. Tickets are $25 at the door or via www.syso.net; $15 for students ages 8 to 21. Marian Catholic High School students with ID are free. Students younger than 8 are seated at the discretion of management. There will be a dessert and cash-bar wine reception after the concert.

Winter Interlude: The Dance Workshop Ensemble will present a dance concert and silent auction, “Winter Interlude,” at 5:30 p.m. March 10 at Andrew High School Performing Arts Center, 9001 W. 171st St., Tinley Park. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Dance For Life Fund and The Children’s Place Association of Chicago. The Dance For Life Fund provides living assistance grants to HIV-positive individuals working in the dance field in the Chicago area. The Children’s Place Association provides assistance to youngsters afflicted with or affected by AIDS. Auction bidding will run through intermission. Tickets are $10 and are available at The Dance Workshop Studio, 9015 W. 151st St., Orland Park. Contact The Dance Workshop Studio at (708) 226-5658 or visit www.thedanceworkshop.com.

Fleadh and food donations: The city of Oak Forest and the Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce are teaming up with the St. Damian Food Pantry to add a food drive to the 3rd Annual Oak Forest Fleadh 5K on March 10. Registration for the race, which starts and finishes at 159th Street and Cicero Avenue, begins at 7 a.m. at PNC Bank parking lot, 4920 W. 159th St. Every registered runner will be encouraged to bring at least one nonperishable food item. Volunteers are needed. To volunteer, contact Chrissy Maher at (708) 687-4050, Ext. 1043 or via email at cmaher@oak-forest.org. To register for the Fleadh 5K, visit www.oak-forest.org or call (708) 687-4600.

Shave for a cause: Oak Lawn Community High School’s National Honor Society will host its third annual St. Baldrick’s Day on March 12 during all lunch periods. This year, the senior class is invited to participate. Male and female volunteers are needed to shave their heads. The person whose head is shaved does not need to raise money; teams of five to seven students will sponsor a shavee. Each team is required to raise at least $50 in donations. St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding research for cures of childhood cancer. Email NHS faculty adviser Jessica Nickless at jnickless@olchs.org.

Habitat housing: Windy City Habitat for Humanity is holding informational meetings for persons interested in becoming a Habitat homeowner from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 15 and April 19 at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, 1335 W. 115th St., Chicago. To qualify, you must have inadequate housing, have legal U.S. residency status, can help Habitat with a minimum of 350 hours of work and meet income requirements. Call (312) 563-0296 or visit windycityhabitat@windycityhabitat.org.

For the band: DDE Music Boosters are holding a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon March 17 at the Eisenhower High School cafeteria, 12700 S. Sacramento, Blue Island, with proceeds benefiting the band and choral programs at the school. Tickets are $5 at the door or through any band or choir student. Enter at the south entrance through the pool doors.

Going green: SouthSTAR Services’ St. Patrick’s Day Gala will be held March 17 at Odyssey Country Club, 19110 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., with Irish dancing at 9 p.m. Cost is $125 per person. Proceeds will fund a new holistic approach to learning. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and volunteers are needed. Visit www.southstarservices.org or contact Cheryl Cherny, director of development, at (708) 747-0627.

Swing into Spring: Cheryl Scott, meteorologist from NBC-5, will host the “Swing into Spring” Charity Fashion Show to benefit Good Shepherd Center from noon to 4 p.m. March 18 at Georgios Banquets, 8800 W. 159th St. in Orland Hills. Tickets cost $40 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under, and include lunch, the fashion show, a silent auction, raffles and giveaways. This event is not just for women, as it features clothing for men, women and children. The highlight of the fashion show will be watching the children from Good Shepherd Center model. Contact Cheryl Assise at (708) 335-0020, Ext. 20, or email cassise@gscenter.org.

Filling the pantry: A fundraiser for the Orland Township Food Pantry will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. March 21 at 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park. Admission is $5 and will include a grand raffle ticket and appetizers. A nonperishable food item donation, intended for the food pantry, also will be accepted. The evening will include shopping, wine tasting, massages, appetizers, raffles and psychic readings. Call (708) 403-4222.

Polenta and sausage: Grand Lodge of Illinois & Wisconsin Order Sons of Italy in America is hosting a Polenta and Sausage Dinner from noon to 4 p.m. March 25 at Eiche Turners Hall, 16767 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park. The Sons of Italy Foundation raises funds for the following charities: Alzheimer’s research, autism, cancer, Cooley’s Anemia research and its Grand Lodge Scholarship Fund. Cost is $15 per person, $25 per couple and $7.50 for children ages 5 to 12. Call (708) 403-7822.

Wine and dine: The Moraine Valley Community College Foundation will host its annual gala, Bon Appetit! Dinner and Wine Pairing, March 31 in the Moraine Business and Conference Center (Building M) on campus at 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. with a five-course dinner with wine pairings from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit Moraine Valley students through scholarships and program enhancements. Tickets are $125 per person or $900 for a table of eight. They can be purchased in the foundation office, Building M Room 220, online at morainevalley.edu/foundation, or by calling the foundation at (708) 974-5740 before March 17. Raffle tickets are $15 for one or $50 for four.

Honoring Girl Scouts at 100: The Tinley Park Historical Society is seeking donations of memorabilia, pictures, badges, etc., needed to set up a display for Girl Scouts, which is celebrating its 100th birthday in March. If you would rather loan items to the Historical Society for the display, they can be returned. Historical Society hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and 1 to 3 p.m. the first Sunday each month. Contact the Tinley Park Historical Society at (708) 429-4210.

Celebrity guest: Mount Assisi Academy in Lemont announced that Michelle Relerford, NBC 5 Chicago anchor/reporter, will be the celebrity emcee at the high school’s Gala Night on April 20. Releford was born and raised on Chicago’s South Side. The Gala Night benefits the tuition assistance fund and other special operating projects. Call (630) 257-7844, Ext. 22.

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.

Walk for kids: Champions4Children Walk, a 5K walk supporting the LaRabida Joli Burrell Children’s Advocacy Center in Park Forest, will be held at 9:30 a.m. April 28 at Park Forest Aqua Center, 30 N. Orchard. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Cost is $20. The advocacy center provides free child-friendly trauma and abuse assessments and psychotherapy services to child victims and their families to all communities within the 6th Municipal District of Cook County. Register for the walk online at www.cacionline.org. Contact Myra West at (708) 481-9799 or mwest@larabida.org.

Save-A-Life raffle: The New Lenox Fire Foundation is holding its Annual Save-A-Life Raffle, with cash, a vacation trip to Cancun, Mexico; Apple iPad II and flat-screen TVs among the top prizes. A final drawing will be held at noon May 13 at Fire Station One, 261 E. Maple St. Winner need not be present. Raffle tickets are $10 each and are being mailed to everyone residing in the New Lenox Fire Protection District. Tickets also will be available at Fire Station One or at any of the remaining monthly pancake breakfasts. Donations help purchase lifesaving equipment for the fire district.

Walk for lupus: The Lupus Foundation of America, Illinois Chapter will host its Fourth Annual Southern Suburbs Walk for Lupus Now event on May 19 at Bicentennial Park, 3401 W. 203rd St., Olympia Fields. Registration opens at 9 a.m.; the walk starts at 10 a.m. The event includes a choice of one- or three-mile walks through Bicentennial Park and Olympia Fields. The family-friendly event will feature entertainment and kids activities. Registration is $25 for adults prior to the event and $30 at the event. Kids 12 and under can register for $10. Call (312) 542-0002 or register online at www.lupuswalkil.org.

Feeding starving children: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 295 Sauk Trail, Frankfort, will host a mobile packing event for Feed My Starving Children June 22 and 23. This is a community event that will pack 100,000 meals for children around the world. For more information, visit www.goodshepherdfrankfort.org/mobilepack.

Run for a cause: Athletes are invited to run this year’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 7 as part of the Special Olympics Chicago team. Registration has opened at www.sochicago.org. There is no cost to join the Special Olympics Chicago running team, however, participants are asked to raise a minimum of $1,000. Runners will also need to register for the Chicago Marathon at www.chicagomarathon.com.

Help for Share Your Soles founder: Donations are being accepted for Share Your Soles founder Mona Purdy, who lost her apartment building and nearly everything she owned in a fire earlier this year. Share Your Soles collects shoes for underprivileged people worldwide, but Purdy now is trying to get back on her feet personally. Ram Racing has set up an online donation site, at www.ramracing.org/mona. Checks made out to “Benefit for Mona Purdy” also are being accepted at and can be mailed to Standard Bank & Trust, 11901 Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL 60464.

Shopping for school: The Summit Hill Educational Foundation is part of the Dominick’s family of stores’ eScrip program. To participate in the SHEF fundraiser, individuals need to register their Fresh Values cards at Dominick’s. For information, call (815) 474-9052 or visit board@summithillfoundation.org.

Donations needed: Neat Repeats Resale stores in Orland Park and Worth are in need of gently used women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, handbags, shoes and jewelry along with small household appliances and kitchen items in good working order. The Neat Repeats stores depend on community residents to provide the inventory for the retail operations. All donations benefit women and children who are receiving services free of charge from the Crisis Center for South Suburbia. Items can be dropped off at either store location: 7026 W. 111th St. in Worth, (708) 361-6860; or 9028 W. 159th St. in Orland Park, (708) 364-7605.

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.

Sharing soles: Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia, is collecting shoes for the Share Your Soles organization, 5623 W. 115th St., Alsip. Any gently worn shoes will be accepted 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. The goal of the charity is to provide shoes to underprivileged families worldwide. Call (708) 403-4222.

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, 11 a.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.

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 is seeking donations of furniture for resale at its Good as New thrift store, 4331 Lincoln Highway in Matteson. 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 free 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.

Eat and earn: St. Christopher School and Kenootz Pizzeria, 4659 W. 147th St. in Midlothian, have teamed up for an “Eat and Earn” fundraiser on the first Tuesday of every month. Kenootz Pizzeria will donate 25 percent of all profits for dine-in, carryout and delivery orders (before taxes, gratuity and coupons) to the school. Be sure to mention St. Christopher School when ordering.

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.