Charity Briefs for Aug. 16, 2011

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The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is scheduled for Oct. 16 at the Centennial Park soccer field in Orland Park. A kickoff event was held at the Orland Civic Center. | Supplied photo

Updated: January 23, 2012 3:28AM

Back to school: Together We Cope is in the middle of its Back to School program and is still in need of supplies. Supplies can be dropped off at the office, 17010 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park. Wide-ruled paper and spirals, pink erasers, glue bottles, pencil boxes, pencil cases and red pens are needed.

Back to School Angels: South Suburban Family Shelter is looking for Back to School Angels to adopt a child for back-to-school needs. Some may need gym shoes, uniforms or specific items that their teacher requests. The shelter is also is accepting gift cards from office supply stores and retailers where school supplies can be purchased. Donors can also send a check payable to South Suburban Family Shelter at P.O. Box 937, Homewood, IL 60430. Those interested in being an angel or looking to volunteer should contact Karen Smith at karenismith@yahoo.com or (708) 755-7952.

Seeking school supplies: The Kiwanis Club of Blue Island is hosting a school supply drive through Thursday (Aug. 18) to benefit the students at Paul Revere Primary School in Blue Island. The effort is designed to provide the necessary school supplies for students who cannot afford them. Requested supplies include rulers; two-pocket folders with no pictures in either red, green or blue; pencils; red or blue pens; 3-by-5-inch index cards; crayons; pointed scissors; glue sticks; wide-ruled spiral notebooks; wide-ruled notebook paper; large erasers and self-stick notes. They can be dropped off at the Blue Island Public Library, 2433 York St., and Blue Island Seniors Office, located within the Blue Island City Clerk’s office in city hall, 13051 Greenwood Ave. Contact Marty Longo at (708) 263-9267 or visit http://www.blueislandkiwanis.org.

Benefit for Cheryl: A benefit will be held Saturday (Aug. 20) for Cheryl Lewkowski, a New Lenox homecare and hospice nurse who suffered a brain aneurysm, leaving her unable to use her right side and perform everyday tasks. The benefit will be from 5 to 10 p.m. at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9545, 323 Old Hickory Road, New Lenox. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Purchase a We Believe in Miracles bracelet for $5. A check donation can be made payable to Cheryl Lewkowski and mailed to Lisa Figlewski, 24518 Shawnee Lane, Manhattan, IL 60442.

Zumba benefit: Beverly Bodyworks is having an outdoor Zumba Family Benefit supporting the Maeve Foundation from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 20). The $5 donation will help benefit pediatric brain tumor research. The benefit will be at 2900 W. 111th St., Chicago. Rain location is Immanuel Church of Christ, 9815 S. Campbell Ave., Evergreen Park. Contact (312) 458-0612 or visit www.beverlybodyworks.com.

American Pride: LinJen Promotions Inc., Source One Events and Thunder Road Productions, in conjunction with the Edward Hines Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital, are presenting the third annual American Pride Benefit Car Show & Festival on Saturday (Aug. 20) at the Hines Jr. VA Hospital, 5000 S. 5th Ave., Hines. All proceeds will be donated to the Hines VA Hospital for programs and services that benefit veteran patients there. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The rain date is Sunday (Aug. 21). Pulled pork roast, along with other food, fruit and beverages will be served. Lunch for inpatient and resident veteran patients is free. Any monetary or prize donations would be appreciated. Contact Don Dames at (708) 478-8222 or don@linjen.com; Tom Larney at (708) 446-9029 or tomsource1events@aol.com; Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital Voluntary Service at (708) 202-2523; or (708) 474-1377 for car show questions and Yvonne Nielsen at (630) 327-8772 for entertainment.

Fill the Boot: Motorists will have opportunities to Fill the Boot this month as Tinley Park firefighters station themselves at various intersections to collect donations to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Firefighters will hit the streets from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 26. Proceeds go toward helping local MDA clients like Collin Betley, 2, of Tinley Park, who is affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy — a rapidly worsening, life-threatening form of muscular dystrophy that occurs in about one out of every 3,600 male infants. Collin is the department’s local goodwill ambassador. Families like Collin’s benefit from MDA research, clinics, equipment repairs, support groups, social events, camps and more.

Vigil fundraiser: A pre-event fundraiser for Will County’s Take Back the Night march and rally against sexual violence will be hosted by the office of Will County Circuit Clerk Pamela McGuire from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 26. The event will take place at the Chicago Street Bar and Grill, 75 N. Chicago St., Joliet. Tickets are $25 per person and include appetizers, draft beer, soft drinks and water. The funds raised will support the costs associated with holding the vigil and march in October. Contact Katrina Crone at (815) 774-7862.

School supplies sought: Jay Walsh, financial adviser with Edward Jones, and Together We Cope are partnering to provide school supplies for 1,500 local schoolchildren. Supplies including pencils, washable markers, colored pencils, notebook paper, crayons, and two-pocket folders are needed. Drop off donations to Edward Jones, 7915 W. 171st St., Tinley Park, through Aug. 26. No monetary donations will be accepted. Call (708) 429-0847.

Concert takes flight: Park Forest American Legion Post 1198 is hosting an outdoor concert fundraiser at 5 p.m. Aug. 27 with all proceeds benefiting Honor Flight Chicago, which helps send World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. The concert will be at the post, 1631 Western Ave., Chicago Heights, and will feature music by Richie 2, the Rockets and Rico Quinn, dancing and raffles. Cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Contact the post at (708) 481-3055 or George Kovach at (708) 724-6781.

Running for food pantries: Local food pantries will benefit from the Giving Back 5K Race to be held Aug. 27 at Palmer Park, 12300 S. 73rd Court, Palos Heights. Registration is at 7 a.m. with the race starting at 8 a.m. Fee is $25 before the race and $30 on race day. Visit www.givingbackrace.com or www.signmeup.com.

Tee off for St. Coletta’s: St. Coletta’s of Illinois Foundation is having its annual golf outing on Aug. 29. The Kennedy Invitational Ladies’ Golf Outing sponsored by Lexus and Toyota of Orland will take place at Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort. The golfer entry fee is $150 and includes greens fees, golf carts, cocktails and lunch. Proceeds will go directly toward bettering the lives of the 400 adults and children with developmental disabilities and autism at St. Coletta’s of Illinois. For more information visit www.stcolettail.org or call (708) 342-5246.

Filling the pantry: Holistic Happenings Healing Center and Diana’s Kitchen, both of Tinley Park, are teaming up in August to help Together We Cope’s food pantry, which is low on supplies. Holistic Happenings, 7925 W. 171st St., is serving as a drop-off location for food donations. Food items should be brought in during normal business hours, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Those who drop off three or more nonperishable food items during the month will receive a coupon for a free 12-ounce smoothie at Diana’s Kitchen, 16707 Oak Park Ave. Donations also can be made directly to Together We Cope at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park or by contacting Tina Kessens at (708) 633-5040 or tkessens@togetherwecope.org.

Back-to-school needs: The Worth Township Youth Commission is sponsoring its Apple Tree Program for families experiencing financial difficulties. Township residents are asked to bring in donations of school supplies including pencils, pens, folders, scissors, Kleenex, crayons, mechanical pencils, erasable pens, colored pencils, markers, glue and backpacks to the township office, 11601 S. Pulaski Road in Alsip, until Sept. 2. Families can bring in a list of school supplies from their child’s school and the request is then filled by Worth Township. Contact (708) 371-2900, Ext. 45.

Cars and chili: Sons of the American Legion Squadron 131, an arm of American Legion Post 131 of South Chicago Heights, will hold a Classic Car/Bike Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 3 at the post, 2701 Chicago Road, South Chicago Heights. Cost to enter your vehicle is $25; $30 day of the show. There will be $1,000 in cash prizes. Cost to enter the chili cook-off is $15. There also will be music and a raffle. Proceeds from the charity event will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Entry forms are available at the post or at www.legionpost131.org.

In memory of Kevin: The 15th Annual Kevin Dowling Scholarship Fund Golf Outing will be Sept. 9 at Gleneagles Country Club in Lemont. Kevin was co-captain of the Mount Carmel football team in 1995. He became very ill on the practice field during the extreme heat of August and passed away on Aug. 26 of that year. A scholarship fund was created to keep Kevin’s memory alive and to help other children achieve their educational goals. Hole sponsors, donations and golfers are sought. Visit www.kevindowlingscholarshipfund.com.

Waterfall serenade: The Palos Heights Woman’s Club will hold a fundraising event, The Waterfall Serenade, from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Lake Katherine Nature Center and Botanical Garden. Proceeds from this event will be used to finalize the club’s anniversary garden at Lake Katherine. There will be a buffet, wine and beer bars, a special martini bar, entertainment and raffles. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased from Karen’s Hallmark, Mona Lisa, Breadsmith, Lake Katherine and Papas Fresh Foods.

Support the troops: State Bank of Countryside is sponsoring a collection drive for Operation Support Our Troops America as part of its 10th Annual Honor-the-Heroes Community Event. The bank is accepting donations through Sept. 10 for troops stationed overseas, which OSOT America will ship on its behalf. Items collected include tuna flat packs, individual packets of oatmeal, canned fruit (29 ounces or less), beef jerky and Slim Jims, mouthwash, insect repellent wipes and pain relievers, 100 count or less. Items can be dropped off at State Bank of Countryside locations at 16250 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park, and 6053 W. 79th St., Burbank. Contact Pamela Washington at (708) 485-4141 or visit www.statebankofcountryside.com.

Walk4Life: The Les Turner ALS Foundation is having its 10th Annual ALS Walk4Life on Sept. 10. Check-in is at 9:30 a.m., the walk starts at 11 a.m. The two-mile walk along Chicago’s lakefront starts at Montrose Harbor. It is a celebration of hope, courage and community and is a way to support those affected by Lou Gehrig’s disease. Emceed by meteorologist Phil Schwarz of ABC 7, the event will include music, entertainment, food and children’s activities. The Walk4Life will occur rain or shine. Registration is free, but participants are encouraged to raise funds for the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Contact www.alswalk4life.org or (847) 679-3311.

For Bella and Liam: A benefit for the Bill and Allison Brya family will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park. The Bryas’ 5-year-old daughter Isabella and 2-year-old son Liam both have medical conditions that require ongoing medical treatment and physical therapy. Bella suffered an AVM rupture in her brain that caused a severe stroke. She is confined to a wheelchair and needs constant medical treatment and physical therapy to regain her motor skills and speech. Liam underwent surgery last year to remove a brain tumor. He is in physical therapy and may need more surgeries. Cost of the benefit is $30 for adults, $10 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children under 5. Call (708) 388-8881.

Toys and golf: Toy Box Connection will host its 2nd Annual golf outing on Sept. 14 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. Organize a foursome and bring a toy — all to benefit the Toy Box Connection. Cost is $125 per person. Registration will include 18 holes of “best-ball” golf, raffle prizes, contests, continental breakfast, lunch and beverages on the course, dinner and cocktails. Various sponsorship packages are also available. For more details and a registration form, visit www.toyboxconnection.com.

Night at the races: Join Together We Cope at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Orland Chateau for its annual Pasta Extravanganza/A Nite at the Races event. Enjoy six pre-taped races, feast on an array of food from local restaurants and win prizes. Tickets are $25 for adults; $5 for children ages 3 to 12. The agency also is looking for donations of food and prizes for the event. Contact Karen Moran, (708) 633-5040, Ext. 7226, or Tina Kessens, (708) 633-5040, Ext. 7231.

Fore Toy Box Connection: Toy Box Connection will host its 2nd Annual Golf Outing on Sept. 14 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. Individuals are invited to organize a foursome and bring a toy. Registration will include 18 holes of “best-ball” golf, raffle prizes and contests, continental breakfast, lunch and beverages on the course and dinner and cocktails. Sponsorships packages are also available. Visit www.toyboxconnection.com.

Queen of Hearts: The “Queen of Hearts” Ladies Card and Game Party will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at Gaelic Park in Oak Forest. Guests will enjoy social gaming, lunch, vendor displays, prizes and more. Tickets are $40 and all proceeds from the event will support services and programs for the more than 625 individuals with disabilities served by Sertoma Centre Inc. in Alsip. The event is sponsored by the SouthtownStar Newspaper. Payment and registration are due by Sept. 16. To receive an invitation or register for this event, call (708) 371-9700. Download information and forms regarding the Ladies Card Party at www.sertomacentre.org.

Support school sports: Cook County School District 130 invites the community to support the middle school sports program by participating in the 10th Annual District 130 Golf Outing Sept. 16 at The Meadows Golf Club, 2802 W. 123rd St., Blue Island. Proceeds from this event will be used to help offset the cost of after-school interscholastic sports programs for boys and girls in grades six through eight from Blue Island, Crestwood, Alsip and Robbins. Registration begins at 3 p.m. with a shotgun start at 4 p.m. Dinner will be provided about 7 p.m. by Beggars Pizza at 12700 S. Kedzie in Blue Island. Cost is $60 per person, which includes nine holes of golf with half cart, dinner and prizes. Dinner only is $30. Registration and donation forms are available at www.district130.org. Contact Michael McLaughlin at (708) 385-2915 or by email at mmclaughlin@district130.org.

‘We Got Your Back’: Family and friends of Amanda Peters, of Alsip, a student at Shepard High School who was diagnosed with a rare form of spina bifida at age 7, are organizing a benefit, “Amanda, We Got Your Back,” from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door, $15 for children ages 6 to 12. Monetary donations may be made through Archer Bank, 3435 W. 111th St., Chicago, (773) 840-2000. For more information or to donate goods or services contact Pam Charnota at (708) 425-0444 or amandasback@sbcglobal.net. Information: www.benefit4amanda.org.

Making a difference: Staples, DoSomething.org and television stars from the show Pretty Little Liars are encouraging Tinley Park teens to make a difference this summer by collecting school supplies and dropping them off at their nearest Staples store, including the one at 16189 South Harlem Ave., through Sept. 17. Staples customers can get involved by donating $1 or more at any Staples store, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Tinley Park students in need. All school supplies and donations will be given locally to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago to ensure they get into the hands of disadvantaged youth. For more ways to get involved in this year’s campaign, visit www.staplesforstudents.

Fore music students: The second annual Joe Bartkowiak Memorial Golf Outing will be held Sept. 18 at The Meadows Golf Course in Blue Island. Cost is $75 per person, which includes golf and dinner. The golf outing is sponsored by Our Lady of Loretto Men’s Club, of which Bartkowiak was a founding member. He died in October 2009 in a work-related accident. The fundraiser is held to honor the memory of a friend and to establish the endowment from which scholarships are awarded annually to Illinois high school graduates who continue their music education at the University of Illinois School Of Music in Urbana-Champaign, where Bartkowiak studied music. For information about the fundraiser, contact Jim at (708) 499-5215. To reserve a spot call Rick at (708) 422-0217 or Don at (312) -203-6669.

For the small fries: Homewood Small Fry Golf Outing is being held at Lincoln Oaks Golf Course in Crete on Sept. 18. The shotgun start will begin at 1 p.m. Cost is $100 for golf cart, lunch and dinner. Dinner is $20 and will begin around 6 p.m. The outing needs local businesses to sponsor the event and prizes to be donated. Contact George Friel at (708) 473- 8576, Kevin Kelly at (312) 501-4762, Justin Edgecombe at (708) 612-4724 or Walt Shipman at (312) 608-3520.

Firefighters fiesta: Oak Forest Firefighters Union Local 3039 is hosting an End of Summer Fiesta from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at The Park at Oak Forest Bowl, 15240 Cicero Ave., Oak Forest. Cost is $20 and includes food, cash bar and the Bears versus Saints game at noon followed by the Sean & Charlie Band from 3 to 6 p.m. Also will include raffles, volleyball, bean bags and more. Portions of the proceeds will go to the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Burn Camp, Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Oak Forest Firefighters Union Local 3039.

Fore Orland Park: The Village of Orland Park will hold its annual golf outing Sept. 20 at Silver Lake Country Club to benefit Open Lands of Orland Park and Art in the Park. Tickets are $130 each and include 18 holes of golf, half cart, continental breakfast, lunch on the course, cocktails, dinner and door prizes. Dinner tickets are available at $50 per person. The outing is limited to 144 golfers on a first come, first served basis. Businesses are invited to sponsor the event. There are opportunities for hole sponsorships, continental breakfast, cocktail hour and lunch on the course. Contact Patty Vlazny at (708) 403-6145.

30th birthday bash: South West Special Recreation Association is celebrating 30 years of service with an anniversary party and fundraiser titled “30 Years in Rewind,” on Sept. 23. An evening of food, pop, water, alcoholic beverages and live entertainment from Libido Funk Circus will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park. Raffles, silent auctions and a grand raffle also will be available for additional fees. All proceeds will benefit SWSRA programs, special events, trips and scholarship. Tickets are $30. If you purchase an admission ticket before Sept. 1, you also will receive six free raffle tickets . Tickets can be purchased at the SWSRA office, 12521 S. Kostner Ave. in Alsip. Contact (708) 389-9423.

Walk to prevent suicide: Out of the Darkness Chicagoland Community Walk, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s largest event of the year, will be held Sept. 24 at Busse Woods Forest Preserve, Area 4. Check in is at 8 a.m. Free parking and shuttle from Metra will be available. There is no fee to register and no minimum fundraising requirement. To register or donate, visit http://afsp.donordrive.com/event/chicagoland.

A fun day: “Genieten van een leuke dag!” is Dutch for “Enjoy a fun day!” The Elim Dutch Festival, to be held on Sept. 24 at Elim Christian Services, 13020 S. Central Ave. in Palos Heights, will provide a fun day that includes Dutch food, a farmer’s market, antiques, Dutch collectibles and gift items and entertainment. Proceeds from the event will benefit children and adults with disabilities. The day begins at 7:30 a.m. with a home-cooked pancake breakfast. Dutch village shops will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Free parking with shuttle bus service will be provided. Visit http://www.elimcs.org.

Night in Paris: McCord’s annual fundraiser, the Black White Event, will be held Oct. 1 and will have a French theme. Called “Evening in Paris,” the event will be held at Midlothian Country Club, 5000 W. 147th St., Midlothian. Tickets are $125. Call (708) 671-0648.

Take a stand: Take a stand against sexual violence at the 15th annual Will County Take Back the Night march and rally at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at Joliet West High School, 401 N. Larkin Ave., Joliet. Take Back the Night brings survivors, supporters, activists and community leaders together in a call for the end of violence against women. This year’s keynote speaker is Carmina Salcido, a violence survivor from Sonoma County, Calif. The free event will include a candlelight vigil honoring women and children from Will County who were murdered over the past 10 years and will culminate with a march down Larkin Avenue. Last year, the event distributed more than $8,000 of assistance to various agencies. Participants are urged to bring non-perishable food items, paper goods or grocery store and gas station gift cards, which will be distributed to area domestic violence shelters. Contact Katrina Crone at (815) 774-7862.

Rally for Rog: A Rally for Rog benefit will be held Oct. 7 to provide monetary support to the wife and two sons of Roger Donnick, who passed away unexpectedly from complications from diabetes at age 44. Roger’s wife, Susan Donnick, is currently battling a secondary renal cancer discovered following treatment for myeloma cancer. The couple lived in Tinley Park and Homer Glen. The benefit will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and will include food, music and prizes. Monetary donations may be sent to Archer Bank, 3435 W. 111th St., Chicago 60655, c/o Rally For Rog. Contact Tom Thorsen at (708) 227-8536.

New program: Sertoma Centre Inc. hopes to reach a growing population of individuals who have been dually diagnosed with a developmental disability and mental illness. Its new program is a part of the Developmental Training Programs at Sertoma Centre, which will provide the opportunity for individuals to receive group or individual counseling. Participants in the program also will be given alternatives to talk therapies to better suit the needs of a wide range of individuals. Art, sand and play therapy techniques will be utilized for those who struggle with expressing their thoughts and feelings. Also, the utilization of poetry, music, and journaling will be implemented for relaxation and therapeutic interventions. Contact Heather Beckner at (708) 730-6333 or at hbeckner@sertomacentre.org.

Un-fundraiser set: The Lyndsey Whittingham Foundation will not host the annual “Lynzapalooza” fundraising event this year, but will sponsor an “un-fundraiser” in Lyndsey’s name. The foundation will continue its commitments to various causes with funds raised at past events and those received through the 2011 “Un-Fundraiser” campaign. Individuals may make a donation by credit card through a secure PayPal account at www.lyndseywhittinghamfoundation.com or send a check payable to The Lyndsey Whittingham Foundation, P.O. Box 42, Frankfort, IL 60423. The foundation honors the memory of Lyndsey Whittingham, a Frankfort woman who died after being hit by a taxi in Chicago in 2006 at the age of 23. Funds raised are used to provide donations to causes, charities and scholarships in her name. Contact John or Julie Pyle at (815) 474-6391 or email lwf@lyndseywhittinghamfoundation.com.

Gift cards aid shelter: South Suburban Family Shelter is participating in Jewel-Osco’s gift card program. Gift cards are available for purchase in $25, $50 and $100 increments, and the shelter will receive a 5 percent rebate for cards sold by the agency. Payment is made to South Suburban Family Shelter for the face value of the gift card: Proceeds benefit the programs and services provided free of charge to victims of domestic violence and their families. Contact the shelter at (708) 794-2140, Ext. 303, or visit the administrative offices at 18139 Harwood, Homewood.

Tickets for a cause: Sertoma Centre Inc. has joined Tix4Cause.com, a ticket exchange website, to offer a new way for supporters to donate. The Tix4Cause website provides an online platform where ticketholders can donate unwanted tickets to Sertoma Centre and receive a tax deduction. Buyers then purchase these tickets, often at reasonable prices, and Tix4Cause passes 100 percent of the proceeds on to Sertoma Centre. Tix4Cause handles every aspect of customer service including ticket processing and handling. Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park is the first to donate tickets on behalf of Sertoma Centre. The tickets are valued at $140 and include four rounds of open play, 1-18 holes on their course. Sertoma Centre Inc. is a nonprofit agency that provides services to more than 625 individuals with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities and/or mental illness. Contact Melanie Jones at (708) 730-6206, www.sertomacentre.org or visit www.tix4cause.com.

Shop for PADS: South Suburban PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) has joined the network of charitable organizations that turn gently used fashions and accessories into cash at the Spree store at 151st Street and LaGrange Road in Orland Park. All donations of gently used clothing, shoes, jewelry, purses and other accessories donated at the Spree store can earn money for PADS. When individuals drop their items at Spree and select PADS as the charity of their choice, PADS receives a check for these donations. Information: Contact Dawn Thrasher at (708) 754-4357, Ext. 107, or dawn@sspads.org.

Shelter volunteers: South Suburban PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) is seeking volunteers to staff its emergency overnight shelter that will operate at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Chicago Heights this summer. Volunteers will assist with guest services, hospitality, supervision, registration and completion of paperwork. Shelters are open from 6:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. Mondays through Fridays through Sept. 30. Volunteers are asked to work a four-hour shift during the overnight hours, once each month. Volunteers also are needed to supply a hot, ready-to-serve evening meal once a month. Information or to volunteer: Call Dawn Thrasher at (708) 754-4357.

Furniture helps Sertoma: Sertoma Centre, with locations in Alsip and Matteson, is seeking donations of furniture for resale at its thrift store. 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 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.