Charity Briefs for Sept. 4, 2012

Family and friends of Paul Naples (above, on motorcycle), of Lemont, are hosting a benefit for his family from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27 at VFW Post 6863, 7256 W. 63rd St. in Summit. Naples, 58, underwent a liver transplant. More information is below.

Updated: October 5, 2012 6:08AM

Here is a look at charity news in the Southland.

Eat & earn: The monthly Eat & Earn Fundraiser for St. Christopher School in Midlothian is from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 4 at Kenootz Pizza, 4659 W. 147th St. in Midlothian. Kenootz will donate 25 percent of profits to the school. Please mention St. Christopher School when ordering.

Art show and sale: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago will hold its 11th annual Gala of the Arts fundraiser, with an Invitational Art Show and Sale, on Sept. 7 in the Grand Ballroom of Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. in Chicago. Proceeds benefit the Catholic Charities’ Emergency Services programs. Artwork on display will include that of Homewood’s Lenox Wallace, who specializes in watercolors. The evening also will feature live music by “American English: The Complete Beatles Tribute.” Cocktails and the art sale begin at 6 p.m., with dinner and entertainment at 8 p.m. Tickets are $250 each. For more information or to buy tickets, contact Ashley Owen at (312) 655-7912 or via email at aowen@catholiccharities.net, or visit www.galaofthearts.com.

Ballgame benefits food pantry: The New Lenox Fire District and the New Lenox Police Department will play their fourth annual Guns ’n Hoses Charity Softball game at 5 p.m. Sept. 8, at the Lion’s Den Fields, 520 S. Cedar Road. The contest benefits the New Lenox Food Pantry via collections of food and donations. Admission is free, but donations of nonperishable food items are appreciated. There also will be between-innings raffles.

Musical revue: The St. Mary Council of Catholic Women will present “Legacy Girls,” a musical revue saluting the music of the Andrews Sisters, at 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at Burnett Hall, 19515 S. 115th Ave., Mokena. Tickets are available for $23. Dinner will be catered from Glenwood Oaks Rib & Chop House. The council covers many needs in the parish and community, providing funeral luncheons, prayer shawls, and organizing food and clothing drives and more. For more information, contact Evelyn at (708) 479-1736 or Gennie at (708) 479-7322.

Walking for a cure: The Sixth Annual Attack ACC Family Fun Run/Walk, which raises money for research of adenoid cystic carcinoma — a rare form of cancer — is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Hickory Creek Junction Forest Preserve, on U.S. 30 about one mile west of Wolf Road near New Lenox. Doctors told the family of Alicia Almanza, of Mokena, a 20-year survivor of ACC, that ACC is so rare that there is minimal research in the works. Alicia’s daughter, Courtney, believes that her mother should have the same shot at a cure as those with other cancers, and helped create the nonprofit Attack ACC. Proceeds will be sent to the University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of few U.S. cancer centers that does research on ACC. For more information, visit www.attackacc.org.

Spay the Stray 5K: The Humane Society Calumet Area and Lan-Oak Park District are hosting the Spay the Stray 5K run at 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Eisenhower Center, 2550 178th St. in Lansing. Proceeds support spay and neuter surgeries performed at the Humane Society Calumet Area. To register for the run, visit www.hscalumet.org/spaythestray.asp or get a registration form at the shelter, 421 45th St. in Munster, Ind. Volunteer, donation and sponsorship opportunities also are available. For more information, call (219) 922-3811, Ext. 306; email amorrone@hscalumet.org or visit www.hscalumet.org/spaythestray.asp.

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.

“Dancing with the Senior Stars”: A dinner dance competition and fundraiser to benefit the 2013 Orland Township Scholarship Foundation will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 25 at Georgios Banquets, 8800 W. 159th St. in Orland Hills. Dance tryouts are scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Orland Township Activity Center, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. Participants must be amateur dancers with no professional training, age 55 and older. Tickets are $25. For more information, call (708) 403-4222.

Golf for SD 130: Cook County School District 130 will host its 11th annual golf outing Sept. 14 to benefit the middle school sports program. Registration for the event, at The Meadows Golf Club, 2802 W. 123rd St. in Blue Island, begins at 3 p.m., with a shotgun start slated for 4 p.m. Dinner will be provided by Beggars Pizza, 12700 S. Kedzie Ave. in Blue Island, starting at about 7 p.m. The $60 cost includes nine holes of golf with half cart, dinner and prizes. The cost for dinner and raffles only is $30. Businesses and individuals also may sponsor a golf hole for $200 or donate a prize. Registration and donation forms are available online at www.district130.org. Information: Contact Michael McLaughlin at (708) 385-2915 or via email at mmclaughlin@district130.org.

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.

Softball for cops’, firemen’s funds: St. Xavier University will host the Fifth Annual Blackhawks Alumni & Friends Charity Softball Classic at 1 p.m. Sept. 16 at Ferrell Field on the SXU campus, 3700 W. 103rd St. in Chicago. Current and former Blackhawks will play a 16-inch softball game against members of the Chicago Police and Fire departments. The event also features the annual police vs. firemen citywide 16-inch softball championship. Admission is free. The event benefits the Chicago Firefighters’ EMWQ Retirees’, Widows’ and Children’s Assistance Fund and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.

Bavarian Fest: The Crisis Center for South Suburbia will host its Second Annual Bavarian Fest fundraiser from 3 to 9 p.m. 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.

Open Lands fundraiser: The Village of Orland Park will hold its annual golf outing Sept. 18 at Silver Lake Country Club, 14700 S. 82nd Ave. in Orland Park. The outing benefits Open Lands of Orland Park and is open to the public. Check-in and a continental breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. There are three ticket options: $130 per person includes 18 holes of golf, cart, continental breakfast, lunch on the course, cocktails, dinner and door prizes; $100 includes golf, cart, continental breakfast and lunch on the course; $50 includes cocktails, dinner and door prizes. Sponsorship opportunities are available, and the committee is seeking door and raffle prizes. For information, call Patty Vlazny at (708) 403-6145.

Funds for angels: The NH Angel Fund will hold its inaugural NH Angel Ball fundraiser from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Sept. 21 at Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St. in Oak Forest. There will be hors d’oeuvres, a four-course dinner, raffle and dancing. Tickets are $100 per person. All proceeds will be donated to Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to assist research and awareness efforts regarding neonatal hemochromatosis, a rare gestational condition. The condition usually is lethal to the fetus or neonate, according to www.neonatalhemochromatosis.org. Tickets can be bought online at www.nhangelfund.org. For more information, call (773) 909-3568 or email nhangelfund@live.com.

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.

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. Sept. 23. “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.

Pizza fundraising: The Orland Park Giordano’s, 14325 S. LaGrange Road, will donate 15 percent of all proceeds on Mondays through Sept. 24 to the Tinley Park Bulldogs, and on Tuesdays through Sept. 25 to the Orland Hills Wolves. For more information, call (708) 349-7500.

Pizza fundraising: The Mokena Giordano’s, 11400 Lincoln Highway, will donate 15 percent of all proceeds on Tuesdays through Sept. 25 to the New Lenox Youth Football Association, Wednesdays through Sept. 26 to the Mary Bartkowiak Benefit, and Thursdays through Sept. 27 to the Mokena Burros. For more information, call (815) 806-8282.

Cocktails for a Cause: An event to benefit the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox will be held at CD & Me, 23320 S. LaGrange Road in Frankfort, from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 28. Tickets are $25, which includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and one entry into a raffle for $1,000 (winner need not be present to win). There will be live music, a disc jockey, a raffle and a silent auction. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.barnes-foundation.org. Tickets also will be available at the door.

“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 Lincoln-Way North: The Phoenix 5K Phun Run/Walk to benefit Lincoln-Way North athletic programs is scheduled for 8 a.m. Sept. 30 at the school, 19900 S. Harlem Ave. in Frankfort. Participants may register by downloading a form at www.lwnab.org and submitting it to Shelley Wantiez in the school’s athletic department or to a booster club member. Entry fees are $25 for adults ($30 the day of the race), $15 for high school students and $10 for students in grades six through eight. Younger children are free. Members of the Chicago Area Runners Association get a $5 discount. Day-of-race registration begins at 7:15 a.m.

Annual charity ball: The Joliet Assembly of the Knights of Columbus will host their annual Charity Ball at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at the St. George Serbian Social Center, 310 S. Stryker Ave. in Joliet. Tickets are $45 per person and include dinner and dancing to the music of Lonnie Howard. Proceeds support the Deaf Apostolate of the Diocese of Joliet, Catholic Charities and Birthright of Joliet. For more information or to donate, contact Peter Baker at (815) 806-1499.

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.

Ball benefits Wellness House: The Wellness House of Hinsdale will host a fundraiser, “A Starry Night, An Evening to Support the Dreams of Wellness House,” at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 at The W Hotel, 172 W. Adams St. in Chicago. The ball raises funds to provide free services to cancer patients and their families. Tickets are $350. Cocktails, auction, dinner, dancing and music are on tap. For more information, visit www.wellnesshouse.org or call (630) 323-5150.

Benefit for Lemont man: Family and friends of Paul Naples, of Lemont, are hosting a benefit for his family from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27 at VFW Post 6863, 7256 W. 63rd St. in Summit. Naples, 58, underwent a liver transplant last year and has had numerous setbacks. Insurance coverage has run out, and Naples, married and a father of two, requires around-the-clock care. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and include live music, raffles and silent auction. For more information, email thenaplesbenefit@gmail.com or contact Lynn at (708) 334-1855, Kathy at (708) 204-8453, or Janel at (312) 307-2207. Donations also can be made to The Naples Benefit at Chase banks.

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.

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