Calls for volunteers and events that benefit the public, such as social service clubs, call for donations of items, blood drives, bone marrow drives, food pantry drives, food giveaways, etc. Deadline is two weeks before event date.
Nov. 19
Community Give Back Days: Through Thursday, Nov. 19, Crowne Plaza, 510 E. Route 83, Mundelein. Bring in any nonperishable food item to the front office and get a $15 coupon to the restaurant Karma; bring in two items and get entered in a raffle to receive a complimentary overnight stay and $75 gift certificate to Karma. All food will be donated to the Salvation Army of Lake County. For details, call Reyna, at (847) 970-6905.
Nov. 20
Identity Theft Seminar: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, Northbrook Park District Senior Center, 3323 Walters Ave. Northbrook. Police officer Michael Shep explains how identities are stolen and how to reduce your chances of becoming a victim Register at (847) 291-2988.
Nov. 22
Blood drive: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, Congregation Beth Judea, Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. Hosted by the Men's Club of Congregation Beth Judea. For an appointment, (847) 634-0777.
Operation Christmas Child: Drop off items through Sunday, Nov. 22, St. Peter Community Church, 2700 Willow Road, Northbrook. Pack a shoe box gift for a child in need. For information, call (847) 272-2246.
Nov. 25
Thanks-4-Giving Blood Drive: Thanks-4-Giving Blood Drive: 4:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, Rink Side Family Entertainment Center, Gurnee Mills Mall. 6170 Grand Ave., Gurnee. The current and 2008 Lake County Area Queens will host a blood drive. As parents give blood, their children will get discounts on game tokens, Laser Tag and rides. Each adult that gives blood will receive a coupon for a free round of black light mini golf. For details, e-mail Kylie Brazda, at kbrazda3030@yahoo.com.
Dec. 3
Teen Stitch and Share: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. For all levels of knitters ages 11 and older. Patterns for projects to be donated to Good Shepherd Hospital will be provided for those interested. This program is free. No registration required. Call (847) 438-3433.
Dec. 5
Ivy Hall Holiday boutique: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Ivy Hall Elementary School, 1072 Ivy Hall Lane, Buffalo Grove. Vendors will sell beaded socks, tie-dye body pillows and clothing, bow holders, beaded serving pieces, personalized stationery, books, unique children's clothing, sports team clothing and accessories, hair accessories and more. In conjunction with the boutique, the school will hold a Community Awareness/Resource event, with representatives from charities and organizations, including the Leukemia Research Foundation, Cancer Wellness Foundation and others, on hand to provide information about their activities. For information, call Randi Sobel, at (847) 370-8419, or Ellen DeLay, at (847) 226-6444.
Dec. 12
Clothes for the needy: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. the second Saturday of each month, St. Andrew Episcopal Church's Elijah's Mantle for Children in Need community service project, 31 Park Ave., Grayslake. Clothing in sizes ranging from infant to 16 boys and girls is available. The next date is Dec. 12. There is no cost. Donations of gently used children's clothing in good condition are always welcome. For details, visit standrewsgrayslake.org or call (847) 223-2310.
Ongoing
Grant Township Food Pantry: Drop items off from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, Grant Township Supervisor's office, 26725 W. Molidor Road, Ingleside. The pantry food is running low; nonperishable items such as canned goods, peanut butter, pancake mix, syrup, etc. are needed. Items such as toiletries would also be greatly appreciated.
Bikes for kids: Mike's Bike Shop, 155 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine, will be collecting bikes for under privileged children through Thanksgiving. Mike's Bike Shop takes in unwanted bikes and refurbishes them for donation. For information, (847) 358-0948.
Thanksgiving food drive: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Meadows Credit Union, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Suite 100, Arlington Heights. Food is being collected for the Wheeling Township Food Pantry to provide Thanksgiving meals. Items needed include stuffing mix; rice; dinner rolls; and canned vegetables, fruit and pumpkin. For a complete list, visit www.mcuonline.com or call (847) 342-9300.
Massages for donations: 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Ross Chiropractic, 506 E Hawley St., Mundelein. Bring in donation of food during November or December or a new toy during December and receive a free massage. For an appointment, call (847) 571-5001.
Artists sought: The Hawthorn District 73 PTO is looking for unique artists to participate in their Winter Boutique, Saturday, Dec. 5. Applications and guidelines may be downloaded from www.hawthornpto.org. For information, call Michelle Christensen, at (847) 276-4117 or Nina Ferolo, at (847) 816-0087.
Donate to A Safe Place: Creative Rehab, 222 S. Greenleaf, Suite 101, Gurnee, or 1781 Northwind Blvd., Libertyville. Creative Rehab Center for Sports, Wellness and Rehab is collecting items to be donated to A Safe Place. New and gently-used toys, books, and clothing for women and children, as well as personal care items and household goods, will be collected until Friday, Dec. 11. For information, visit creativerehab.net or call (847) 362-9171.
Community Partnership Coat Drive: Through Monday, Dec. 14, Devon Bank, 561 N. Milwaukee Ave.; America's Market, 9 Huntington Lane; Wheeling Park District Community Recreation Center, 333 W. Dundee Road, all in Wheeling. The Wheeling Park District in cooperation with School District 21 is holding its annual coat drive. New and gently-used coats, hats, scarves, snow pants, boots, gloves and mittens are being collected for low-income children and teens. For information, (847) 465-3333.
Clothing and toy collection: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, Lindenhurst Early Childhood Center, 309 Granada Blvd., Lindenhurst. The center will be collecting gently-used clothing and toys through Friday, Dec. 18, and new toys through Monday, Dec. 21. There will also be a tree where "Adopt an Angel" tags can be picked up, each with the name of a foster child and their wish-list; return wrapped items with the wish-list attached before Dec. 18. For details, call (847) 356-2288.
Food and New Book Drive: Through Saturday, Dec. 19, Temporary Library Center, 114 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville; Petranek's Pharmacy, 426 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville; and Evergreen Interim Library, 290 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills. Donate food items for the Libertyville and Vernon Township food pantries or unwrapped new or like-new books to be distributed to less fortunate. For information, including a detailed list of requested food items, call (847) 362-2330 or visit
Toys for Tots: Through Tuesday, Dec. 15, Mundelein Police Department, 221 N. Lake St., Mundelein. The Mundelein Police Department will be a drop off point for the U.S. Marine Corps-sponsored Toys for Tots Program. Anyone can deposit an unwrapped, new toy in the lobby for pick up by the Marines.
Boy Scout Troop 275: 7-8:30 p.m. every Thursday, Community Church of Round Lake, 217 Goodnow Blvd., Round Lake. Troop 275 participates in monthly camp outs, service projects and adventure activities. Open to boys ages 11-17. Call (847) 715-6511 or e-mail inthecourt@sbcglobal.com.
Tree and bench donations: The Vernon Hills Park District offers residents and neighbors the opportunity to honor a special person or commemorate an event by donating a tree or bench in a district park. Trees range from $225-$475 depending on the species selected, and can be personalized with a bronze plaque, which is sold at cost. Benches may be purchased for donation at a cost of $700, and personalized with a bronze plaque. Prices for plaques start at $70. The Tree & Bench Donation order form can be found online at vhparkdistrict.org or at the Park District Community Centers. For more information, call Cheryl Baron, at (847) 996-6933.
Pooch Pantry: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Lake County Animal Control, 29278 N. Highway 83, Mundelein. Accepting donations of dry and canned dog and cat food, treats and domestic bird food; gift cards for PetSmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus; cat litter; resealable plastic bags; and pet welfare goods such as bowls and toys. The Pooch Pantry will be open for families in need from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays. For information, call (847) 566-1960.
Eli Skinner Chapter, NSDAR: The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is seeking volunteers to make wool caps for the troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and South Korea. Wool head covering which can be worn under the Kevlar helmet provides warmth to the head and neck, but does not restrict vision. Patterns are available at www.geocities.com/helmetliner. For details, contact helmetliner@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 236, Auburn, IL 62615.
Electronics recycling: 8 a.m. to noon, the first Saturday of each month, Wauconda Township Highway Department, at 505 W. Bonner Road, Wauconda. All Wauconda Township residents are invited to bring in electronic recyclables. Items accepted include computers and computer components, video games, televisions, VCR/DVD players, cameras, radios and accessories, phones, and more. For more information call the Township Office at (847) 526-2631.
Allendale Association: A not-for-profit children's facility in Lake Villa, looking for qualified volunteers to work directly with children or on other projects. Help a child develop positive relationships with adults, share gardening knowledge in the vocational horticultural center, evaluate a student's Individual Education Plans and meet with the child's therapeutic team, work in the thrift store, or help in other ways. To learn more, visit www.allendale4kids.org.
Knit or crochet for babies: The Waukegan Area Branch of American Association of University Women is looking for people to knit or crochet baby hats for babies born at Vista Medical Center East. Call (847) 244-7926.
Avon Township Food Pantry: Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Drop off packaged and canned food items. This is an ongoing, year-round collection. For information, call (847) 223-5313.
Recycle Printer or Copier cartridges: Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Drop off any printer (inkjet or laser) or copier cartridges for recycling. For information, call (847) 223-5313.
Beth Am Food Pantry: Food distribution takes place from 12:30-2 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month at 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Nonperishable food donations are always welcome. (847) 459-1677.
Paper drive: 9:30-10 a.m. and 11 a.m. the third Sunday of each month, Grace Lutheran Church, 501 Valley Park Drive, Libertyville. Church youth will man the church recycling bin to assist with the unloading of cars. The bin is in place every day. For information, visit aboutgracelutheran.org/paperdrive.html or call (847) 367-7050.