Charity Briefs for Dec. 6, 2011

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MetroSouth Medical Center, 12935 S. Gregory St. in Blue Island, is conducting a toy drive through Dec. 8. Warm accessories and toys both are being accepted. | Supplied photo

Updated: January 7, 2012 8:02AM

Stress-busting event: Orland Township Youth & Family Services, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., is hosting “Holiday Magic Stress Be Gone” from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7. Admission is $5 and all proceeds benefit the Orland Township “Adopt-A-Family” program. The admission price includes a raffle ticket to win prizes. The event includes more than 30 vendors, a short introduction and discussion on the perils of stress, wine and food samplings, chiropractic and skin services, massages, a yoga instructional and more, all accompanied by strolling a cappella musicians. The Orland Township Youth Commission is hosting a bake sale. Call (708) 403-4222.

Dine and donate: PetsNPatients, InthePaint Basketball, AllPets Wellness Foundation and various pet rescue groups will benefit from a fundraiser offered through the Buffalo Wild Wings at 7301 W. 183rd St. in Tinley Park all day Dec. 7, 14 and 21. The restaurant will donate 15 percent of the meal’s cost to the organization of the diner’s choice when the diner presents a specially prepared coupon presented on the group’s websites. For a list of rescue groups, their websites and a coupon, visit petsnpatients.org/community_events.html, www.itphoops.com/ and allpetswellnessfoundation.org/. Entertainment will be provided each day.

Fighting breast cancer: A Christmas Market Place featuring more than 50 vendors will be held at Union Station’s Great Hall in Chicago on Dec. 7 to 8, Dec. 12 to 16 and Dec. 19 to 23 benefiting Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Admission is free.

Helping seniors: NAACP-Chicago Far South Suburban Branch is asking members to bring some personal items to donate at its Dec. 8 meeting at Brunswick Zone XL, 3043 W. 183rd St., Homewood. The meeting is from 7 to 9 p.m. NAACP-CFSSB has partnered with state Rep. Constance A. Howard and the 34th District office to help make the holiday special for some seniors in the community. Items sought include toothpaste and toothbrushes, panty hose, lotions, hair brushes, combs, facial tissue, socks, hair products, bar and liquid soap and monetary donations.

Toys needed: Restoration Ministries is seeking donations of new, unwrapped toys for its annual Christmas Toy Store. Donations should be dropped off at Restoration Ministries, 253 E. 159th St., Harvey, by Dec. 9. The toy store, where parents can buy toys from $1 to $5, will be held on Dec. 14.

Christmas Care applicants: The Worth Township Youth Commission is accepting applications until Dec. 9 for its Christmas Care program for families experiencing financial difficulties. New toys for infants through age 10 and gently used coats will be available to township residents. Parents must bring a photocopy of a current driver’s license or state ID, a photocopy of a birth certificate of each child and a photocopy of a current utility bill. Applications must be submitted in person; forms are available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 11601 S. Pulaski in Alsip. Call (708) 371- 2900, Ext. 45.

Canned food campaign: Homewood, Star, NuWay/Heartland Disposal’s Making Spirits Bright Campaign, a food drive to support Together We Cope in Tinley Park, will run through Dec. 9. Nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the following locations during normal business hours: Homewood Disposal, 1501 W. 175th St., Homewood, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; Star Disposal, 30 South St., Park Forest, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; and NuWay/Heartland Disposal, 17726 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Call (708) 798-1004.

Holiday Food Drive: Resident Laura Bachman is organizing a Holiday Food Drive in the Brookside Glen subdivision in Tinley Park on Dec. 10. Participating residents are asked to leave bags of food at the curb at the end of their driveway and Bachman and her husband will pick them up. All food collected will be donated to the food pantry at Together We Cope in Tinley Park.

Food and song: Thorn Creek Nature Center is hosting its annual holiday food drive until Dec. 10. Individuals can drop off food items at the nature center, 247 Monee Road, Park Forest, from noon to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Items will be donated to the Rich Township Food Pantry. The food drive will culminate with Woodland Carols from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 10 at the nature center. Enjoy homemade soups while listening to holiday music and carols sung by area performers. Cost for the program is $10 per person or one bag of food. For a list of other drop-off locations and acceptable food items, call (708) 747-6320.

Holiday dreams: The South Side Lupus Organization is hosting its annual charity event, Holiday Dreams — Cure for Lupus dinner/dance from 6 to 11 p.m. Dec. 10 at Olympia Fields Country Club, 2800 Country Club Drive, Olympia Fields. Tickets are $75 and include prizes and entertainment. Reservations are required. Call (708) 747-6976 or email www.sslupusorg@gmail.com.

Ringing up donations: Verizon Wireless is having its “Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive” through Dec. 11. Locally, the drive will benefit the children at the Crisis Center for South Suburbia in Tinley Park. Donations of new, packaged but unwrapped toys can be made at any participating Verizon Wireless Communications Store in the south and southwest suburbs during regular business hours. Participating Southland locations include 7854 S. Cicero Ave., Burbank; 4063 W. 211th St., Matteson; and 9264 W. 159th St., Orland Park.

Team Up For Troops: Team Up for the Troops, a fundraiser for families of soldiers killed or wounded in action, will be 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 11 at 115 Bourbon St., Merrionette Park. There will be appearances by former NFL and Bears players, a live and silent auction and raffle. Cost is $30 per adult, $15 for children ages 6 to 20 and free for children younger than 6. Price includes buffet and soda, and beer and wine for adults. Information: www.theteam1.com.

Gifts for vets: St. Joseph and St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church is holding its annual Christmas Gift Drive for Homeless Veterans and Wounded Soldiers. Individuals are asked to make up a care package for a homeless veteran and bring it to the church, located at the corner of Greenwood and Oak in Blue Island. The vets need new or used warm clothing, personal care items, books and bus passes. The drive culminates with a holiday party at 4 p.m. Dec. 11. Representatives from Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and Hines VA Hospital will be on hand to receive the gifts. Call (708) 528-9862.

Gifts sought: The Crisis Center for South Suburbia is asking groups, organizations and individuals to consider donating gifts for its clients. A holiday wish list can be obtained by contacting Kerri at (708) 429-7255, Ext. 126, or at kerrit@crisisctr.org. The Tinley Park Public Library, 7851 Timber Drive, will serve as a drop-off site for holiday gifts through Dec. 11. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Feeling lucky: Tickets are on sale for Park Lawn’s Lucky 5 Grand Drawing, which has a grand prize of $5,000 cash, second prize of $1,500 and third prize of $500. Only 555 tickets will be sold. Tickets cost $50 each. For an additional $15, ticket buyers can participate in a split the pot, where 50 percent of the total will go to the winner and 50 percent to Park Lawn. Winners will be announced at noon Dec. 12. Proceeds benefit Park Lawn Association. Tickets and more information are available by calling (708) 425-6867, or by visiting Park Lawn at 10833 S. LaPorte in Oak Lawn.

Helping soldiers: The Toy Box Connection, of Orland Park, is seeking toy and gift card donations as it assists Operation Homefront along with 200 children at a local army base. Toys can be dropped off at its warehouse at 15756 LaGrange Road, Orland Park. Gift cards can be sent to TBC, P.O. Box 1146, Orland Park, IL 60462. Toy Box Connection is also seeking help wrapping gifts for donations at Orland Square Mall throughout December. Four to six people are needed per three-hour shift, especially from Dec. 15 to 24. Contact Michelle at (708) 691-2715.

Toy drive under way: The city of Oak Forest’s annual toy drive benefiting the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation is under way. Residents can drop off unwrapped toys at the City Hall lobby, 15440 S. Central Ave., during regular business hours until Dec. 16.

Warm and happy: State Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D-Dolton), CEO and founder of the Jones Foundation, is teaming up with Destiny Dental in Lansing, the Calumet City Chargers and Mattel Toy Co. to collect gently used coats and new toys for needy families until Dec. 13. The items can be dropped off at Jones’ office at 1910 Sibley Blvd., Calumet City, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. All coats will be distributed to Catholic Charities in South Holland. Call (708) 933-6018.

Donations sought: The Done with Drugs Foundation is accepting donations of clothes, toys, food and money for its 4th annual Christmas Party for children under the age of 12, to be held from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 18 at Sacred Heart Banquet Hall, 331 S. Ottawa St., Joliet. Deadline for donations is Dec. 14. Please label each gift for boy or girl and the price range. Call (815) 723-2535 or (815) 274-3130.

Spreading Holiday Cheers: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery’s classic ale, Erik the Red, has been renamed until Dec. 14 to Rudolph the Prairie Red with 25 cents of each glass ordered during that period benefiting Orland Township’s Holiday Program 2011. Rock Bottom is at 16156 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park. Commemorative $5 glasses will be available with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Holiday Program 2011. Information: (708) 226-0021 or (708) 326-9170.

Got shoes?: The National Association of Professional Organizers-Chicago chapter and 1-800-GOT-JUNK? are partners in a national program called Soles4Souls and have teamed up for a local shoe collection for charity. The goal is to collect more than 5,000 pairs of shoes in this campaign by Dec. 15. NAPO has challenged its members across the country to collect as many shoes as possible. The winner will receive a trip to Haiti to deliver shoes to people in need. The goal is to collect 12 million pairs of shoes by June 30, 2012. For information, email Tania.venn@1800gotjunk.com.

All wrapped up: The Toy Box Connection, which collects toys on behalf of numerous charities and nonprofits, will host a giftwrapping booth at Orland Square Mall, lower level in front of the carousel, from Dec. 15 to 24. The Toy Box Connection will wrap Christmas gifts for a small donation. Gift wrappers are needed and will work in three-hour shifts. For information, visit www.toyboxconnection.com.

Star Wars benefit: Martino Junior High School’s student council will host a Star Wars Museum at the school, 731 E. Joliet Highway in New Lenox, from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 16 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 17. Proceeds will benefit Toys for Tots. Teacher John Wettergren is donating his extensive Star Wars collection for viewing. Museum-goers can take a photo with the life-size Darth Vader and Yoda, participate in a toy raffle, watch a Star Wars movie, make balloon swords at the Jedi Training School for kids, color pictures at a Star Wars coloring center, enjoy Star Wars Legos and buy Star Wars-themed concessions. Cost is $2 or one donated new toy, with children under 3 free.

Food and toys: Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library, 12838 S. Cicero Ave., Alsip, is sponsoring its 9th Annual Food and Toy Drive through Dec. 22. The library will be collecting nonperishable food items, new unwrapped toys and monetary donations, which Worth Township will distribute to area families in need. Contact the adult services department at (708) 371-5666, Ext. 108 or 109.

Decorate their trees: Ten Standard Bank and Trust branches are collecting donations to decorate their holiday trees, with proceeds being used to ensure those at Park Lawn with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have gifts to open this holiday season. Until Dec. 23, individuals can buy a decorative ornament in increments of $1, $5 and $10. The ornament will be displayed on the holiday tree located within each bank. Participating Southland Standard Bank and Trust branches are located in Hickory Hills, Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Frankfort, Orland Park, Oak Forest, Palos Park and Lockport.

Christmas Care: The Worth Township Youth Commission is again sponsoring its “Christmas Care” program for families experiencing financial difficulties. New toys and gently used coats will be accepted by the Youth Commission at its office, 11601 S. Pulaski Road, Alsip, through Dec. 23. This program gives an opportunity for churches, schools, businesses, civic groups and private families to work together to help those in need in their own community. Call (708) 371-2900, Ext. 45.

Toys for Tots: Landmark Flooring in Tinley Park is serving as a Toys for Tots drop-off location. The public can drop off toys at the store, 9501 W. 171 St. Call (708) 349-0011 for times and days.

Adopt-A-Child: Thousands of Christmas presents will be collected at Together We Cope in Tinley Park again this year in the annual Adopt-a-Child holiday program. Children will list two gifts they would like to receive, and sponsors are asked to provide the two gifts at a cost of about $15 each. In the past, local businesses, churches, civic organizations and people have adopted the children or made donations directly to TWC for the program. Information: Tina Kessens at (708) 633-5040 or tkessens@togetherwecope.org.

Christmas Care: Worth Township is accepting gently used coats at its office, 11601 S. Pulaski, Alsip, from residents, schools and different agencies through Dec. 31 for its Christmas Care Program. These coats are available to families in need. They can be picked up on the second floor of the office.

Holiday mail for heroes: The 2011 American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes is under way through the holiday season. The Red Cross is working with Pitney Bowes, a mail stream technology company, to collect holiday cards in which people have shared their appreciation for the sacrifices members of the U.S. Armed Forces make, and then distribute them to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. Send all mail to: Holiday Mail For Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456. For guidelines, visit www.blueislandkiwanis.org.

Adopt A Family: South Suburban Family Shelter, Inc., is looking for individuals, families or businesses interested in participating in its Adopt-A-Family Holiday Program. Adopt-A-Family is designed to help victims of domestic violence and their children during the holiday season. Donors purchase and wrap gifts for their adopted family. Monetary contributions and gift cards are also welcome and may be mailed to: South Suburban Family Shelter, P.O. Box 937, Homewood, IL 60430, Attn: Adopt-a-Family. Call (708) 798-7737, Ext. 229.

Help keep people warm: Hair Cuttery salons throughout the Chicago area are collecting gently used coats, jackets, hats, scarves and mittens for Krausey’s Koats, a national effort to gather cold-weather gear for those in need. Donations can be brought to any Hair Cuttery location during normal business hours until Jan. 1. All collected items will be delivered to local missions and homeless shelters, and a variety of nonprofits serving the needy, such as St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Salvation Army and Cradles to Crayons. The transportation and delivery of the items will be handled in collaboration with the U.S. Army.

Warming Hearts: Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin and Village Clerk Dave Maher have teamed up to lead Orland Park’s “Warm a Heart Winter Drive.” The village is collecting new winter hats, scarves, gloves and mittens for needy children and adults through Feb. 1. Contributions may be delivered to the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall at 14700 S. Ravinia Ave. or the village’s Sportsplex, 11351 W. 159th St. Information: (708) 403-6188.

Three Decades Of Giving: Together We Cope’s annual dinner dance on Feb. 24 will celebrate the agency’s 30 years of service. The event will take place at Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park. Tickets are $90 per person. With purchase of a table of 10, the 10th ticket is free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.togetherwecope.org or by contacting Karen Moran at (708) 633-5040 or kmoran@togetherwecope.org.

Heart to Heart gala: Dinner dance tickets, ad book advertising space and sponsorship opportunities are available for the Crisis Center for South Suburbia’s annual fundraiser, Heart to Heart Extravaganza, to be held on Feb. 25 at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. Tickets cost $80, which will include dinner, silent and live auctions, $10,000 raffle and entertainment by The Jimmy O and Rhonda Lee Duo. Frankfort’s Jeffrey Blanchette, past president of the Crisis Center for South Suburbia and banking executive, will receive the Dianne Masters Award. The Corporate Recognition Award will be presented to The PrivateBank and Mark Kotheimer will be awarded the CCSS Volunteer Spirit Award. Contact Karen Wegrzyn at (708) 429-7255, Ext. 116.

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, 11a.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.

SSC Foundation: The South Suburban College Foundation 2011 Donor Drive in progress with the goal of raising $100,000 for scholarship and student assistance funds. Gifts can include cash, stock, insurance and bequests. New scholarships can be established with a $750 donation. Information: Patrick Rush at (708) 596-2000, Ext. 2697 or www.ssc.edu.

Sturdy bed sought: Sertoma Centre has learned of an individual with disabilities who is in need of a sturdy bed. Anyone with a bed that can support a person who weighs between 350 and 400 pounds that they would like to donate, can call the Advancement Department of Sertoma Center at (708) 371-9700 or visit info@sertomacentre.org.

Single Parents: The American Association of Single Parents is seeking clothing, food and financial support for single parents for the holidays. Coats, hats, gloves, scarves and boots are sought, as well as nonperishable food items, turkeys, chickens and hams and financial donations. Items can be dropped off at the Harvey Community Center, 15320 Center St. Information: Nicole Howell at (708) 705-2430 or www.aasp-inc.org.

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.

Keeping kids warm: Together We Cope is seeking donations of new and gently used coats for distribution in its annual children’s winter clothing program. The donations will go to children of families registered with the agency for assistance. All sizes and styles are appreciated, but larger size boys coats are especially needed. Donations can be brought to the agency’s resale shop, Nu2u, at 17010 S. Oak Park Ave. in Tinley Park. Contact Pat Hosman at (708) 633-9180 or www.togetherwecope.org

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.

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.

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.