Charity Briefs for Aug. 7, 2012
August 6, 2012 1:04PM
Ducky Derby: "Adoptions" of rubber ducks are being solicited to benefit Special Olympics Illinois via the seventh annual Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby set for 1 p.m. Aug. 9 in the Chicago River. Visit www.duckrace.com/chicago or call (877) 977-5274.
Updated: September 8, 2012 6:06AM
Free fore vets: Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who are at least 21 years old are invited to golf and eat for free at the Mayor Dev Trivedi City of Lockport’s Returning Veterans Golf Outing, Sept. 7 at Broken Arrow Golf Club, 16325 W. Broken Arrow Drive in Lockport. Only veterans can golf and attend the buffet dinner, but they must register by Aug. 7. Registration at the event starts at 8 a.m., with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. A best ball/scramble scoring system will be used. Families are invited after the 2:30 p.m. buffet dinner. There will be entertainment. Contact Gary Niehaus at (708) 567-5382 or via email at policecommissioner1@gmail.com.
Ducky Derby: “Adoptions” of rubber ducks are being solicited to benefit Special Olympics Illinois via the 7th Annual Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby, to take place at 1 p.m. Aug. 9 in the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue. Duck adoptions are $5 each or six for $25. Prizes include a Chevy Equinox, a Caribbean vacation, a shopping spree and more. For team registration or to adopt a duck, visit www.duckrace.com/chicago or call (877) 977-5274.
Breast Cancer Walk: The Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day is scheduled for Aug. 10 to 12, starting at Soldier Field in Chicago. The 60-mile walk raises awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer. Participants raise a minimum of $2,300 and walk an average of 20 miles a day for three consecutive days. The registration fee is $90. For more information, visit www.The3Day.org or call (800) 996-3DAY.
Wine-tasting: Habitat for Humanity Chicago South Suburbs is hosting a wine-tasting fundraiser at 6 p.m. Aug. 10. Tickets are $100 per person. Hors d’oeuvres and a tour of the “green” home and grounds at the exclusive Elvery Estate, 20050 S. Western Ave., Olympia Fields, are included. For tickets, visit www.gohabitat.net or the Habitat ReStore, 180 W. Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights.
Singing for SCS: Singers are being sought to compete for prizes in a karaoke fundraiser to benefit Southwest Community Services and children from Southwest Therapy and Rehabiliation Services (STARS). The event will be Aug. 10 at Tinley Bowl, 7601 W. 183rd St., Tinley Park. The cost to compete is $20 and contestants must be 21 or older. Each contestant will get two reserved VIP seats for friends and family at a cost of $10 per seat. All types of music are welcome. To be considered as a contestant, email an online link to your performance (i.e. YouTube) or send a video file to chevycounty13@yahoo.com. You may also audition at a local karaoke night by calling Tim at (708) 244-3906 for a location and time.
Bike ride for special rec: The Lincolnway Special Recreation Association, the village of Frankfort and the Frankfort Park District will host the inaugural Bike the Trail family bike ride to benefit LWRSA on Aug. 11. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at Breidert Green, at White and Kansas streets in Frankfort. The ride will feature three routes for bike riders of different skill levels. Bike the Trail is $10 for adults and $5 for children 13 and under. The cost includes a Bike the Trail T-shirt, and a postride party will be held at Breidert Green featuring a disc jockey, pizza and jump castle. Proceeds will benefit LWSRA’s Special Olympics programming. For more information, visit www.LWSRA.org/bikethetrail or call (815) 464-2811. Volunteers are needed and also will receive a free T-shirt. To volunteer, call (815) 534-5915.
Light the Night: A local 36-member team that plans to participate in this year’s Light the Night Walk to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will host a fundraising lemonade and hot dog stand from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 11 at 11415 River Bend Road in Orland Park. Refreshments also will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 4925 S. Latrobe Ave. in Chicago. To support the “Lighting the Path for Pa” team — which includes family and friends from Chicago, Frankfort, Homer Glen and Orland Park — visit pages.lightthenight.org/il/ChicagoL12/LightingthePathforPa. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s annual Chicago-area Light the Night Walk is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Participants are to meet in Grant Park in downtown Chicago. For more information, visit www.lls.org.
Food for Fines: The New Lenox Public Library’s “Food for Fines” program, which helps the New Lenox Township Food Pantry stock its shelves, runs through Aug. 12 at the library, 120 Veterans Parkway. Patrons may bring in a nonperishable food item, and the library will waive up to $15 in late fees from their library account. Food items beyond their expiration dates should not be submitted. Fees for lost or damaged materials will not be waived. The front desk also will accept food donations from those who don’t owe fines. Information: (815) 485-2605.
New Hope Blues Fest: New Hope Center will hold its Third Annual Blues Fest fundraiser from 1 to 9 p.m. Aug. 12 at Balmoral Park Racetrack, 26435 S. Dixie Highway in Crete. Admission is $8 in advance or $10 at the gate. Children 10 and under are free. There will be bands, special guests, food, beverages, raffles and drawings. Contact Jeff Gajewski at (708) 841-1071, Ext. 227. To buy tickets in advance, visit www.newhopecenterinc.com. New Hope Center helps people with developmental disabilities.
Dianne Masters Cup: The Crisis Center for South Suburbia will host the annual Dianne Masters Cup golf outing and dinner Aug. 14 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. Shotgun start is at 9 a.m. The ticket price of $150 per person includes golf, continental breakfast, lunch, cocktails, dinner, raffle prizes and contests on the course. Dinner-only tickets are $50. Sponsorships are available. Visit www.crisisctr.org or contact Christopher Beele at (708) 429-7255, Ext. 118.
Project Backpack: The Corporate America Family Credit Union branch at 7021 W. 79th St. in Burbank is accepting school supplies and monetary donations through Aug. 17. Project Backpack, started in 2004, helps local families. For more information, visit www.cafcu.org/backpack or call (800) 359-1939.
Golf Outing: The 2nd Annual Holy Family Villa Golf Invitational, to benefit the expansion of Holy Family Villa’s nursing home, is scheduled for Aug. 15 at Gleneagles Country Club, 13070 McCarthy Road in Lemont. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. A shotgun start is scheduled for 9 a.m., and there will be food, raffles, pick-a-prize, dinner and more. The cost is $800 per foursome or $200 per person. Dinner only is $75 per person. Contact Bobbi Magurany at (630) 257-2291 or by email at rmaguran@catholiccharities.net, or visit www.catholiccharities.net/hfvgolf.
Caring for Caryn: A benefit for Caryn Knott, who is fighting an aggressive form of breast cancer, will be held at 5 p.m. Aug. 18 at Morgan’s Restaurant, 18700 Old LaGrange Road, Mokena. Tickets are $25 per person and include food, beer, wine and soft drinks. There also will be live entertainment, bean bag tournaments and a raffle for a Honda CRV or $15,000 cash. Contact Julie Wasowicz at (708) 846-3590, Becky Doyle at (815) 641-4800 or visit www.caringforcaryn.com.
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.
Bike ride for special athletes: The Orland Park Police Department will hold its annual bike ride to benefit Special Olympics Illinois on Aug. 26. Check-in/registration begins at 7 a.m., with the 14.4-mile ride starting at 8 a.m., departing from and returning to the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Ave. The ride, which is not a race, is open to those 12 and older, and the cost is $20 per person. All participants are expected to wear bike helmets. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Refreshments and a complimentary breakfast buffet will be available at the Civic Center after the ride. Pre-registration is available until 5 p.m. on Aug. 24 at the police department, 15100 S. Ravinia Ave., and at village hall, 14700 S. Ravinia Ave. Registration forms also are available online by visiting www.orland-park.il.us. For more information, call (708) 349-4111.
Free meals: Up to 100 free meals will be served on a first-come, first-served basis at the Menard Center, 90th Street and Menard Avenue in Oak Lawn, at 6 p.m. Aug. 26. “One Community: One Meal Prepared Together, Shared Together” is a joint venture of several Oak Lawn churches and members of The Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview. An interfaith team of Christians and Muslims has worked together for nine months to plan, prepare and serve the meal. A similar event will be held Sept. 23.
Run/walk for care packages: The Homer Founders 5K to Benefit Operation Care Package and others is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sept. 8 in Homer Glen. The event will kick off at the Purple Onion Restaurant, 13150 W. 143rd St. Operation Care Package sends care packages to military members overseas as well as homeless veterans. Proceeds also will benefit the village’s Healing Garden, civic and social activities in Homer Glen, and scholarships. The first 200 runners to register for the race will receive a free T-shirt, and prizes will be awarded to the top two runners in each age category. Registration is $25 for adults 17 and over, and $15 for children ages 6 to 16. For more information or to register, visit www.homerfoundersclub5k.com. For more information on Operation Care package, visit www.operationcarepackages.org or contact Debbie Smothers at (815) 723-6960.
Dream ticket: The Lincoln-Way High School District 210 Foundation for Educational Excellence has kicked 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. The last day to buy tickets is Sept. 15. Contact Linda Lopez at (815) 462-2976.
Bavarian Fest: The Crisis Center for South Suburbia will host its Second Annual Bavarian Fest fundraiser from 3 to 9 pm. Sept. 16 at the Water’s Edge Golf Club, 7205 W. 115th St., Worth. The German-themed event will feature live entertainment, German-style dinner buffet with domestic and imported beer and wine, a raffle and contests including a bean bag tournament and German spelling bee. Tickets are $25 in advance and include dinner, two drink tickets and live entertainment. Tickets at the door, if available, are $35. Tickets are for sale online at www.bavarianfest2012.com. For information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Chris at (708) 429-7255, Ext. 118.
Fore scholarship: The 2nd Annual James Ryan O’Donnell Memorial Fund Golf Outing and Reception will be held Sept. 22 at Water’s Edge Golf Club, 7205 W. 115th St., Worth. Registration at the course is at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. The individual fee is $110 and includes a postgolf reception. Golf only is $65. Dinner is from 7 to 11 p.m. for $40 per individual (must be 21 to participate). That includes dinner, beer, wine, liquor, raffles and silent auction. All proceeds will benefit memorial fund, which will endow a scholarship to students of Brother Rice High School in Chicago. Checks, payable to the James Ryan O’Donnell Memorial Fund, should be mailed to same at 5741 W. 101st St., Oak Lawn, IL 60453. For more information, contact Jeff O’Donnell at (708) 703-6185 or via email at JamesRyanODonnellMemorialFund@gmail.com.
“Fun”draiser for Sydney: A fundraiser for Sydney Lagrassa, 13, is to be held from 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 28 at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park. Sydney was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome and has endured 11 surgeries since she was an infant. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and will include buffet, beer and wine, entertainment, raffles, split the pot, silent auction and other activities. Donations of items for the raffle and auction are sought and financial donations are accepted at Archer Bank, 3435 W. 111th St., Chicago, IL 60655. Contact Heather Grencik at (708) 269-0856.
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.
Donate unused tickets: Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens, 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive in Palos Heights, has joined tix4cause.com, an emarketplace ticket service that turns unused tickets into cash donations for nonprofits. Individuals, businesses or corporations can donate unused tickets for sports, music, theater or leisure activities to Lake Katherine. The public can buy tickets via tix4cause.com, and 90 percent of the ticket proceeds go to support Lake Katherine. To make a donation and/or buy tickets, visit www.lakekatherine.org or tix4cause.com. Be sure to identify Lake Katherine as your charity of choice. Information: (708) 361-1873.
“Back to School Angels” wanted: The South Suburban Family Shelter is looking for “Back to School Angels” who will “adopt” a child to help supply them with various back-to-school items because teachers’ lists of required supplies are so varied. “Angels” can be individuals or a group who “adopt” a student and split up the list. Donors do not have to shop; the shelter is accepting gift cards from office supply stores and retailers that carry school supplies. Donors also can send a check payable to South Suburban Family Shelter to P.O. Box 937, Homewood, IL 60430. Those interested in being an angel or volunteering should e-mail karenismith@yahoo.com. For more information, call (708) 794-2140, Ext.303, or visit www.ssfs1.org.
Text to Give: Nonprofit organization Park Lawn, 10833 S. LaPorte, Oak Lawn, has recently launched a new “Text to Give” mobile giving campaign to benefit the programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The program allows donors to make a $5 donation through Give by Cell by texting the phrase GIVEPL to the number 20222. Donations are tax-deductible and pledges are billed through your monthly cell phone bill. Users must be 18 or older or have parental permission to participate, and must agree to the terms and conditions. Message and data rates may apply. For more information, visit www.givebycell.com.
Summer staples: Together We Cope is seeking certain staples that are in short supply at its food pantry. Canned soup, pasta, rice and breakfast cereal in particular can be dropped off at the pantry, 17010 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Contact Carol Ettema, pantry director, at (708) 633-5040 if you wish to conduct a food drive for those items.
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.
Books Sought: Books are being collected to enhance the library of the Illinois Youth Facility, a maximum security facility in Joliet. People can drop off books appropriate for boys ages 13 to 20 at Curves, 20833 S. LaGrange Road, Frankfort. Scholastic and chapter books, workbooks, kids magazines and comics, hard covers and paperbacks are sought. Information: Kay MacNeil at (815) 469-1294 or Nella Piccolin at (815) 469-4996.
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.
Pizza for a cause: St. Christopher School and Kenootz Pizzeria have teamed up for an Eat and Earn Fundraiser on the first Tuesday of each month. Kenootz Pizzeria, 4659 W. 147th St., Midlothian, is donating 25 percent of all profits for dine-in, carry-out and delivery order (before taxes, gratuity, and coupons) to the school. Be sure to mention St. Christopher when ordering to have the percentage donated. Call the pizzeria at (708) 535-0005.
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.
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 has announced 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. You can make a gift to the Class Gift Fund by texting CLASSGIFT with your first and last name to 20222, or 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.
