Charity Briefs for Oct. 2, 2012

A “Benefit for Lisa” will be from 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 12 at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park. Lisa Johnston, of Orland Park, most recently was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Information: Bette Jo Maldonado, (708) 557-1966. | Supplied photo

Updated: November 3, 2012 6:12AM

Here is a look at charity news in the Southland.

Repeat Boutique: The Repeat Boutique resale shop, at 18157 Dixie Highway in Homewood, is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. All workers are volunteers, and all proceeds go to Grand Prairie Services clients. Items in the shop include clothing, furs, jewlery, shoes, books and household items. Information: (708) 957-5052.

Concert For Mental Health: The Third Annual Jammin’ Away the Blues benefit concert, hosted by Mental Health America of Illinois to support suicide awareness and prevention, will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at Buddy Guy’s Legends, 700 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago. Grammy Award nominee and blues legend Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater will perform, as will The Moonshine Blues Band. There will be drink specials and a 50/50 raffle. You must be 21 to enter. Tickets are $75 and include guaranteed seating and two drinks. General admission tickets are $40, or $20 for students with a current ID.

Volley For the Cure: The Lincoln-Way East High School girls volleyball team will recognize cancer fighters and survivors at its Volley for the Cure match at 5:45 p.m. Oct. 4 at Lincoln-Way East, 201 Colorado Ave. in Frankfort. Those who wish to be recognized should contact Linda Vivona at (815) 464-4025 or by emailing lvivona@lw210.org. Include your name and phone number. The team will wear pink jerseys and raise money for breast cancer awareness programs by selling cookies, brownies and clothing items.

Giordano’s Gives: Through the Giordano’s Gives fundraising program, the following organizations will receive 15 percent of all proceeds on designated days throughout October: LLS Light the Night Walk-Team Ford, every Monday; P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park, every Wednesday; Emily’s Entourage, Oct. 8, 9 and 10 at Giordano’s of Orland Park, 14325 S. LaGrange Road; the Frankfort Park District every Tuesday, and P.A.W.S. of Tinley Park every Wednesday, at Giordano’s of Mokena, 11400 W. Lincoln Highway.

Emily’s Entourage: A benefit for the family of Emily Beazley, 9, of Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community, who is fighting cancer, is scheduled from 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 5, at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park. A $30 donation in advance or $40 at the door includes a full buffet; beer, wine and soft drinks; raffles and silent auction; and live entertainment. Emily was diagnosed in April 2011 with Stage 3 T cell lymphoblastic non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a very aggressive cancer. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.emilysentourage.com.

Parade for heroes: The Chicago Welcomes the Heroes organization is organizing a parade in downtown Chicago to welcome home Iraq war veterans. It will hold a fundraiser for the parade from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 5 at Tinley Park VFW Post 2791, 17147 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park. The all-you-can-eat pizza dinner, sponsored by Aurelio’s, is $10. There also will be live entertainment, a silent auction and raffles. For more information, visit www.chicagowelcomeshometheheroes.org.

World Habitat Day: Habitat ReStore, 180 W. Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights, will host a World Habitat Day event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6. There will be vendors, a garage sale, an inflatable bounce house and a disc jockey.

Roaring ’20s and All That Jazz’: The McCord Gallery & Cultural Center’s Eighth Annual Black & White Fundraiser will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at Crystal Tree Country Club, 10700 W. 153rd St. in Orland Park. Tickets are $125. For more information, call (708) 671-0648 or visit www.mccordgallery.org.

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.

Marathon Volunteers Sought: The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter is seeking volunteers to assist runners during the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 7. Volunteer hours range from 3:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to assist runners with gear, snacks and drinks. Volunteeers meet at Charity Village, at Roosevelt Road and Michigan Avenue, and are encouraged to wear purple to support the association. For more information or to sign up, contact Ellie Simpson at (847) 324-0378 or email esimpson@alz.org.

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.

Walk of Hope: The Cancer Support Center’s Walk of Hope is scheduled for Oct. 7 at Irwin Park, 18120 Highland Ave. in Homewood. Day-of registration is at 9 a.m. a 10-step survivor celebration at 10:15 a.m., and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m. Registration is $35 for ages 15 and older; $25 for children ages 5 to 14; free for children under 5. For more information, contact Michelle Paetow at (708) 798-9171 or by emailing mpaetow@cancersupportcenter.org.

Raising it for Rachel: A benefit to help the family of Rachel Swallow, 11, who has been in a coma-like state for five months and has been diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 7 at Union Creek Pavilion behind Hilda Walker School, 19900 S. 80th Ave. in Tinley Park. Rachel’s family needs help with the financial burden of hospitalization and assumed after care from her illness. She will continue to need medical care, physical therapy and in-home nursing to reach a full recovery. The Sunday Fun Day will include food, music, jumpies, a bean bag tournament, face painting, raffles and more. Another fundraiser is scheduled for 2 to 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park. For more information, visist www.4TheLoveOfRachel.com.

Dyslexia Awareness Month: Speech Plus, a speech-language and learning clinic in Frankfort that serves children with communication and learning challenges, is holding a book drive throughout October. Those who donate children’s books will be entered into a raffle for prizes that promote reading, including a Kindle eReader. New and gently used books can be dropped off at Speech Plus, 10071 W. Lincoln Highway, Frankfort. Books will be donated to Fairmont Elementary and Middle School in Lockport. Information: (815) 464-6069 or visit www.speechplus.org. Speech Plus also will hold an informational presentation, “Finding Your Way Through the Dyslexia Maze,” from 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Frankfort Public Library, 21119 S. Pfeiffer Road in Frankfort.

Spaghetti Dinner: The New Lenox Area Historical Society will host an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 at Harry E. Anderson VFW Post 9545, 323 Old Hickory Road, New Lenox. Cakes will be provided by Fleckenstein’s bakery. There will be a silent auction and kids activities. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for children ages 4 to 10. Kids 3 and under are free. Tickets are for sale at 205 W. Maple Ave. in New Lenox or at the door, and can be reserved by calling (815) 485-5576. Carry-outs also are available.

Pack the House: The Andrew High School boys soccer team is hosting a “Pack the House Night” soccer game Oct. 11 to raise funds for the Tinley Wish Foundation. The sophomore/junior-varsity game starts at 4:30 p.m. and the varsity at 6:15 p.m. Both games are at the school, 9001 W. 171st. St. in Tinley Park. The donation is $2 per person.

Benefit Bash: A “Benefit for Lisa” will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 12 at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park. Lisa Johnston, of Orland Park, most recently was diagnosed with a rare cancer. She previously underwent nine brain surgeries and overcame two major blood clots. She has exceeded her maximum insurance coverage allowed by a state plan for individuals rejected by traditional insurance companies. Tickets are $30 per person in advance, $35 at the door, and include entertainment, a food buffet, beer, wine, soft drinks and homemade desserts. There will be a silent auction and raffle prizes. Donations can be sent to Archer Bank, 3435 W. 111th St., Chicago, IL 60655. Raffle and silent auction items for the benefit also are being collected. To buy tickets in advance, visit www.benefitforlisa.org. For more information, contact Bette Jo Maldonado at (708) 557-1966.

Candy Days: The Mokena Lions Club Candy Days will be held Oct. 12 and 13 in front of local businesses in Mokena. Donations will benefit the sight- and hearing-impaired of the community. Information: Tim at (708) 479-3400, Ext. 14.

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.

Smiles for Sarah: A benefit for Sarah McElheny will be held at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park, from 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 14. Advance tickets are $30; it’s $35 at the door. The donation includes a buffet meal, draft beer, house wine and soda, and a door prize. Additional raffles will be held. Checks should be made out to Smiles for Sarah. Sarah, an Oak Lawn resident, has been in Hope Childrens Hospital with complications from leukemia and West Nile Virus. For more information, visit www.smilesforsarah.com.

“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. Tickets are $25. For more information, call (708) 403-4222.

Evening with the Arts: Bridges to a New Day counseling agency will host “Evening with the Arts” starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at Broken Arrow Golf Club, 16325 Broken Arrow Drive, Lockport. The agency offers local residents assistance programs related to counseling, domestic violence and parenting. Artwork from local artists will be available to bid on in a silent auction. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Children 3 and under are free. For more information or to buy tickets, call (815) 838-2690, email office@bridgestoanewday.org. or visit www.bridgestoanewday.org/home.

PLOWS Luncheon: The PLOWS Council on Aging 37th Annual Luncheon will be Oct. 26 at the Orland Chateau, 14500 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park. Doors open at 11:30 a.m., and a family-style lunch will be served at noon. Tickets are $25 each. They can be picked up at the PLOWS office, 7808 W. Illinois 83 in Palos Heights, or ordered by mail with a prepaid ticket request. Information: Christein Suddreth at (708) 361-0219, www.plows.org or email info@plows.org.

Laughs For Life: The Fifth Annual Laughs for Life Comedy Show, to benefit the American Cancer Society, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Oct. 27 at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park. A $10 donation will be collected upon entrance. The show is hosted by Brian Hicks and features Bill Brady, Brian Aldridge, Fritz, Harry Hickstein, Andy Woodhull and Denise Ramsden. For more information, call (708) 388-8881 or visit 115bourbonstreet.com.

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.

Gift Boutique: The Eighth Annual HollyDays, benefiting I Am Who I Am, a nonprofit that provides resources and support for families with special-needs children, will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. in Chicago. The requested donation is $5 per person. The event will showcase more than 30 vendors featuring artwork, decorations, handcrafted jewerly, cards, holiday florals and gourmet foods. Vendors will donate 10 percent of their sales to I Am Who I Am. Information: (773) 547-3300, email holly@iam-whoiam.com or visit www.iam-whoiam.com.

Silver Crossings: The Will County Union of King’s Daughters and Sons will hold its first annual Silver Crossings Craft Fair from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 3 in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, Pavilion A, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox. Admission is also free. More than 40 artisans will be selling handmade craft items and homemade baked goods, and there will be raffles.

For Central Middle School Band: The band for Central Middle School in Tinley Park has been invited to participate in a Walt Disney World parade in March 2013. To help fund the trip, the band will host its Second Annual Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, catered by Papa Joe’s, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Central Middle School Auditorium, 18146 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park. Spaghetti, meatballs, bread, lemonade and coffee will be served. Tickets are $7 in advance or $8 at the door. Pop/water and items from a sweet table also will be sold, and there will be a raffle. For dinner or raffle tickets, contact Ralph at (630) 697-9728 or via email at ralph.politano@att.net.

Seeking volunteers: The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter is seeking individuals interested in becoming Alzheimer’s Association Community Representatives in Will County. New volunteers will receive training. To become an AACR, visit alz.org/illinois, click on “volunteer” and select “Alzheimer’s Association Community Rep” on the application form.

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.

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.

Fall Attire Needed: Nu2u, Together We Cope’s resale shop at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park, seeks donations of children’s fall and winter 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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