Charity Briefs for June 5, 2012

Mike Konaszewski (right) and Mike Konaszewski Jr., of Orland Park, recently helped wire the phones and computers for the new home of the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation in Orland Park. | Supplied photo

Updated: July 6, 2012 10:34AM

Housing for homeless: Applications for South Suburban PADS’ new permanent supportive housing program are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the agency’s main office, 414 W. Lincoln Highway in Chicago Heights. PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) has six newly renovated apartments in Blue Island and Oak Lawn available. Qualified candidates will be eligible for the rental units based on the order in which applications are received. Contact Charmayne Thames at (708) 754-4357, Ext. 126.

Fore Hope: Hearts for Hope will hold its 15th Annual Golf Classic golf outing June 6 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Individual tickets are $225 per golfer and $900 per foursome and include lunch, golf, cocktail reception, raffles, donation and dinner. Sponsorships are available. Contact Sara Cutrara at (708) 684-5231 or visit advocatehealth.com/hopegolf. Proceeds will support programs at Hope Children’s Hospital and the new pediatric unit at South Suburban Hospital.

Luau on the Links: Together We Cope will host its annual golf outing June 6 at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park. The theme is “Luau on the Links.” Golf and dinner tickets are $125 per person, golf-only tickets are $95, and dinner-only tickets are $45. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. Mulligans can be bought for $5 each at registration. Golf tickets include a light lunch at the halfway point on the course. Call (708) 633-5040 or visit kmoran@togetherwecope.org or www.togetherwecope.org.

LINK-up: Together We Cope staff are available June 7 and June 19 to assist south suburban residents applying for LINK cards (food stamp program), and to answer questions about the SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) application process. Assistance is offered on the first Thursday and third Tuesday of the month by appointment only. Space is limited. Contact Vanya Bankhead at (708) 633-5040.

Arts and auction: The Arts for Dance Art Faire & Auction will be held June 8 through June 10 in The Garden Gallery & Studio at 17459 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park. Public showings are 5 to 9 p.m. June 8 and noon to 4 p.m. June 9 and 10. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for children under age 12. A formal auction will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. June 10 Tickets are limited and cost $50. Visit www.hsd-foundation.org/art-auction.html.

Bow Wow Luau: More than 300 pets from 18 different rescue groups, including the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge, will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 9 and 10 at PetSmart, 9277 W. 159th St., Orland Hills, during the league’s mega-adoption event called Bow Wow Luau. The event will include a jump house for kids, games, raffles, disc jockey, barbecue and more. Adoption fees may vary. Call the AWL at (708) 636-8586.

Relay for Life: Relay For Life of Homewood-Flossmoor will be held June 9 and 10 at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. Onsite registration begins at 2 p.m. June 9, with the opening ceremony at 3 p.m. GO DJ Chicago will provide musical entertainment and karaoke throughout the night; and every hour will have an activity or entertainment. Visit www.relayforlife.org/homewoodflossmooril or contact Karen Horn at (708) 633-7770, Option 3.

Poker Run: The Homewood Firefighters IAFF Local 3656 is holding its inaugural “First Due Poker Run” fundraiser June 9. Registration and the lineup begin at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot of St. Joseph Parish, 17951 Dixie Highway, Homewood. The first bike out is at 11:45 a.m. The ride is about 120 miles and concludes at Lassen’s Tap, 2131 W. 183rd St., Homewood. Registration is $25; passengers are $15. Proceeds benefit Local 3656, the Firefighter Brian Carey Scholarship Fund and other charitable organizations that its members support.

Run for Respond Now: The inaugural Respond Now Southland 5K Run/1-Mile Walk will be June 9 at Bicentennial Park in Olympia Fields. There also will be a 1/2-mile “Donut Dash” and a children’s fun run. Entry fees are $30 for the 5K, $25 for the walk, $30 for the Donut Dash and $10 for the fun run, all of which include a T-shirt. Register online at www.respondnow5k.org or on the Respond Now Southland 5K Run/1 Mile Walk page at www.active.com.

Run Home Chicago: The inaugural “Run Home Chicago” run/walk will take place at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 10. Start time for the 10k run and 5k run/walk is 8 a.m. A kids dash takes place at 9:30 a.m. Hosted by Chicago’s Primo Center for Women & Children (www.primocenter.org), the run will benefit several local nonprofit organizations that provide homeless Chicagoans with shelter, sustenance and services. Registration for the 10K competitive-timed run is $40; $35 for the 5K run/walks ($20 for ages 18 and under); and $10 for the kids’ dash. Visit www.runhomechicago.org or call (312) 385-0566.

Garden Center fundraiser: Knights of Columbus St. Louis de Montfort Council No. 14553 will hold a fundraiser at Chuck’s Cafe, 6501 W. 79th St., Burbank, on June 18. The organization receives a rebate check for 15 percent of the subtotal of all receipts of patrons who present a special coupon that day, including carry-out orders, parties and catered events. Proceeds benefit the Garden Center in Burbank to help pay for the vandalism done to its office. Visit www.kofc14553.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.

Scoops of Hope: The Neumann family will have a Scoops of Hope Breast Cancer fundraiser from 3 to 7 p.m. June 23 at First United Methodist Church, 10000 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn. Ice cream, pie, a bake sale, jump houses, face painting, a silent auction and more are included. The event is to help raise money to participate in the three-day, 60-mile breast cancer walk Aug. 10 to 12 in Chicago. There is no cost to attend the event, but goodwill donations are sought. Contact Lynn Neumann at (708) 430-1434.

Banking on food: Marquette Bank will be collecting nonperishable food items at its 24 locations through June 23 during its 5th Annual Neighborhood Food Drive. Donations will be distributed to local pantries and neighborhood food banks through the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Bank employees will be spending several days volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository sorting and packing donated food items.

Fore SouthSTAR: SouthSTAR Services’ 2012 Golf Outing will be held June 25 at Lincolnshire Country Club in Crete. A shotgun start is scheduled for 9 a.m. A light lunch will be served midway through the course. Also included is a buffet dinner and beverages throughout the day. Tickets are $150 per person and $50 for dinner only, with all proceeds benefiting SouthSTAR. Sponsorships are available. Contact Meghan Murphy-Budds at (708) 747-0627, Ext. 115, or e-mail mmurphy@southstarservices.org.

Fore art: The Beverly Arts Center’s fourth annual Fore Art golf outing will be June 25 at Ridge Country Club, 10522 S. California Ave., Chicago. Registration is at 11 a.m. and the shotgun start is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Cost is $300 per golfer and $1,200 per foursome and includes 18 holes of golf, green fees, cart, lunch, cocktail hour and dinner. Caddies will be provided for a nominal fee. Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a cocktail hour and putting contest will be at 5:30 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by the presentation of awards. Contact Kate Coughlin at (773) 445-3838, Ext. 206, or via email at kate@beverlyartcenter.org.

Stand Up for health: CD & Me is hosting a Stand Up for MS benefit on June 29 at 23320 S. LaGrange Road, Frankfort. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.. A standup comedy show begins at 8 p.m. Comedians include Ken Severa, Mike Toomey and Brian Hicks. Cost is $20 per ticket; food and drinks are available for an additional cost. Proceeds go to Franciscan St. James Health Mission Possible. Call (815) 469-7315.

Golf gala: The Rich Township District 227 High School Educational Foundation will host its 2nd Annual Golf Outing & Gala on June 29 at the University Golf Club & Conference Center, 23520 Crawford Ave., University Park. Golf will be from noon to 4:30 p.m. on an 18-hole championship golf course, with dinner following at 5:30 p.m. Golf and dinner are $100. Dinner only is $45. Proceeds benefit scholarships for District 227 students. Last year, nine $2,000 scholarships were awarded to seniors. Email boardoftrustees@richfoundation227.com or call (708) 679-5908.

“Fighting 4 Fitz”: A benefit for Alex Fitzgerald, a student at Jack Hille Middle School in Oak Forest who was struck by a car and severely injured April 20 while walking with his friends after a school play, will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. July 1 at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park. The cost is $30 per adult, $10 for kids ages 6 to 13, and includes draft beer and wine for adults, food, pop, raffles, auctions and activities for kids. Fitzgerald suffered head trauma, plus facial, head, collarbone and leg fractures and remains hospitalized. Fitzgerald is recovering, but the medical bills will be insurmountable for his family. For more information on the fundraiser or to donate, visit www.facebook.com/Fighting4Fitz or www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_detailsfundraiser_id=2580&url=fighting4fitz.

Controlled burn: Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in participating in the New Lenox Fire Foundation’s first “Controlled Burn” Beef Cook-Off on July 28 may pick up an application at New Lenox Fire Station No. 1, 261 E. Maple St. Entry fees are $150, which includes a 15-pound roast. Rules and regulations will be provided in the application packet. The cook-off will be held in conjunction with Proud American Days. After the competition is judged, the remaining beef will be sold to the public. All proceeds will benefit the New Lenox Fire Foundation’s Save a Life Program. Registration deadline is July 1. Call New Lenox Fire Station No. 1 at (815) 463-4500.

Fore kids: The Mokena Community Park Foundation is holding its inaugural President’s Cup Golf Outing on July 16, with all proceeds benefiting the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m., with a scramble shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. A two-hour open bar, dinner, prizes and raffles will begin at 6 p.m. Cost is $500 per foursome, which includes golf, carts, lunch and dinner. Dinner only is $50 per person. Registration deadline is July 9. Sponsorship opportunities are available; deadline is June 29. Call the Mokena Park District at (708) 390-2401 or email jromanek@mokenapark.com.

Relay for Life: The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of New Lenox will be July 13 at Lincoln-Way West High School. Contact the American Cancer Society at (708) 633-7770 or visit Relayforlife.org/newlenoxil.

Fashion fundraiser: TruVision Productions NFP will present “A Transformation Celebration” fundraiser fashion show from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Oak Lawn Hilton, 9333 S. Cicero Ave. Tickets cost $100 in advance and include entertainment, performances and a display from local fashion designers and boutiques. Proceeds will benefit TruVision Productions and New Era Academy of Performing and Visual Arts. Contact Jacqueline D. Sanders at (708) 359-4166.

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.

Dream ticket: The Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Foundation for Educational Excellence is kicking off its $100,000 Lincoln-Way Dream Raffle. Ticket-buyers receive $100 in coupons from local businesses. The grand prize is $100,000, with eight second prizes of $1,000. Buy tickets online at www.dreamraffle.org. Contact Linda Lopez at (815) 462-2976.

Donations sought: The American Association of Single Parents, Inc., in Park Forest, is seeking program materials and monetary donations after losing more than $7,000 in materials needed for its Academics Creating Excellence After-School and Summer Day Camp programs when its former location went into foreclosure. Checks should be made payable to American Association of Single Parents and mailed to P.O. Box 226, Chicago Heights, IL 60466, or make a donation by PayPal at www.aasp-inc.org. For a list of materials needed, contact Nicole Howell at (708) 705-2430 or at nicolehowell@aasp-inc.org.

Purr-fect Donations: The South Suburban Humane Society is seeking donations to help take care of kittens. The humane society is registered at Target and Wal-Mart. Donated items also can be dropped off at The South Suburban Humane Society at 1103 West End Ave., Chicago Heights, or the SSHS Spay/Neuter Clinic at 18349 S. Halsted St., Glenwood.

Summer Attire Needed: Nu2u, Together We Cope’s resale shop at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park, seeks donations of children’s spring and summer clothing in all sizes and styles. The nonprofit assists families in temporary crisis from 22 south suburban communities. The store also is open to the public and provides revenue to fund Together We Cope programs. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 2 to 7 p.m. Thursdays; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Call (708) 633-9180.

Donations sought: The Silver Cross Hospital resale shop, the Encore Shop, is accepting donations of gently used seasonal decorations, adult and children’s clothing, household items and books. Donations can be dropped off 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and the first Saturday of the month at the Encore Shop at 1200 Maple Road, Joliet, just north of the former Silver Cross Hospital Emergency Department. Call (815) 300-7642 or Volunteers Services at Silver Cross Hospital at (815) 300-7117.

Target St. Christopher School: St. Christopher School in Midlothian is continuing its participation in Target Corp.’s “Take Charge of Education” program. To help the school, individuals need to use their Target REDcard and inform the checkout person that they would like St. Christopher School to receive credit for the purchase. It does not cost the purchaser anything and Target Corp. will donate up to 1 percent of the REDcard purchases to the school.

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. 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.

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.

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.

Text to Give: St. Xavier University’s Department for University Advancement announces a new “Text to Give” mobile giving campaign to benefit the university’s Class Gift Fund and the St. Xavier Fund. The program allows donors to make $10 donations using their mobile phones through Give by Cell, an approved mobile giving technology provider. You can make a gift to the Class Gift Fund by texting CLASSGIFT with your first and last name to 20222, or you can make a gift to the St. Xavier Fund by texting SXU with your first and last name to 20222. Donors can give multiple times a month depending on your carrier. Donations are tax-deductible, and pledges are billed through your monthly cell phone bill. Messaging and data rates may apply. For information, visit www.givebycell.com.

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