Fundraiser

The Polo Christmas Festival is seeking donations of food as part of its “Santa’s Helpers Food Drive” that continues through Nov. 30 at the Polo Public Library.

Facing rapidly growing demand for its services, West Suburban Community Pantry has appointed Maeven Sipes of Wheaton, formerly of the Northern Illinois Food Bank, as its new CEO.

Morris Herald-News teams up with United Way of Grundy County to make it easy to brighten the lives of children, senior citizens and neighbors this holiday season.

The Dixon Knights of Columbus Council 690 will host its monthly breakfast from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at KayCee Hall, 506 W. Third St.

The annual online auction items, featuring decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces, as well as a Christmas Boutique and raffle prizes help set the holiday mood inside the Museum of the Grundy County Historical Society at 510 W. Illinois Ave. in Morris.

The need for assistance has continued to rise in Will County since the COVID-19 pandemic. And that need is highest among families working one or more jobs.

Marking 20 years of service, Grundy Area PADS has provided emergency shelter as well as a separate program to rehouse people in apartments, but the agency’s availability of assistance faces a crisis of its own.

The show will support the charitable projects of the foundation, formed to honor the memory of Downers Grove South High School freshman Evan Melau.

The Rotary Club of Joliet is hosting a casual, margarita-themed fundraiser to raise money for its new community contingency fund on Dec. 14.

The Festival Of Trees can be viewed at Northland Mall, 2900 E. Lincolnway, Sterling, from Nov. 18 through Nov. 24.

Features at this Joliet event include holiday drink tasting, heavy hor d’oeuvres, cash bar, live entertainment, raffles, networking and gift card tree

Henry Franzen, a fifth grader at River View Elementary School in Plainfield, is honoring veterans in two ways this Veterans Day.

The event raised funds for the local Youth Outlook program, which supports LGBTQ+ youths ages 12-20; college scholarships for high school seniors; and PFLAG programs throughout the year.

The virtual auction is open to everyone, with bidding accessible through the United Way of Lee County’s online platform. Participants can browse available items, place bids, and track auction progress all from the comfort of their own homes.

In a 50th anniversary concert, Internationally known artist Walt Strony will perform on the 100-year-old organ at Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10.

On Monday, Nov. 11, customers can help support the Whiteside County Honor Flight program when they make a purchase from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Culver’s, 1901 Harley Davidson Drive in Rock Falls.

The annual Indian Boundary YMCA scholarship fundraiser will be held Saturday at Cadence Kitchen in Downers Grove

The Lincoln-way Area Business Women’s Organization honored Judy Niemann for her "tireless support" as well as chairing the organization’s Christmas Auction for more than 30 years

Charity golf outing raises funds for Hope Cancer Wellness Center and Pink Heals of the Sauk Valley.

For a good-will donation, the all-you-can-eat breakfast includes eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes.

Rich Goberville, a songwriter and a longtime Joliet Central High School physics teacher, said approximately 20 people helped create the companion music video – including Joliet Central alumni.

Tickets are still available for the 2024 “Brats Bourbon, and Brews” will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet. Proceeds help two organizations that serve veterans.

More than 30 amateur, professional and commercial cooks will serve samples of their appetizers, entrees, side dishes or desserts for attendees to judge at the event in Joliet.

A full information catalog of the art being auctioned is available at the Oregon Public library

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the gallery’s upcoming arts programs, classes, class instructors and operations.

Minooka Community High School and Plainfield Central High School girls volleyball teams are hoping to score a lot of points on Tuesday, Oct. 15 to benefit Shorewood HUGS.

The Gardner Lions Club will be holding a pancake breakfast at the American Legion in October.

From school fundraisers to large regional events, fall is the time for craft fairs in all sizes across Will County. Here are some upcoming shows.

The Nightmare On High Street 3K Run/Walk encourages runners to dress in their favorite Halloween costume as they stalk the streets. A costume contest will take place at 9 a.m. followed by the start of the race at Genesee and High streets.

The walk will begin at 9 a.m. at the Larson Shelter in Centennial Park, with registration beginning at 8:15.

Dixon Elks No. 779 is holding a chili cook-off to help children access medical assistance.

The raffle runs through Saturday, Dec. 7, with all proceeds and donations being used to support several community projects in Polo, including new dugouts at the Millard Deuth Westside Park, 700 W. North St.

Proceeds from the New Lenox Area Historical Society’s annual fall feast benefit the preservation of Schmuhl School and its ongoing student programs.

Watts of Love's 1,000 Miles for 1,000 Lights fundraiser raises money to bring lights to impoverished nations

The breakfast will be from 7-11 a.m.

Wish Upon a Star will let the gourd times roll at noon Saturday with its The 5th Annual ‘Spooktacular’ Jack-O-Lantern Derby at the Croatian Cultural Club, 1503 Clement St. in Joliet. Admission is free. Races begin at 2 p.m.

The Dixon Knights of Columbus Council 690 will host its monthly breakfast from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at KayCee Hall, 506 W. Third St.

Great Lakes Credit Union, a not-for-profit financial cooperative headquartered in northern Illinois, continued its community outreach efforts by hosting an end of summer celebration event at its Crystal Lake branch on Sept. 7.

Downers Grove North High School senior Taylor Florey is battling bone cancer in her knee, and GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay her medical costs.

The Joliet university's radio station, WCSF-FM 88.7, is currently collecting donations of used and collectible music and memorability for its music rummage sale in November.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Morris Lions Club joining together to host the first draw down fundraiser event for the Pete Muffler Scholarship Fund from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday.

Kendall County will feature several exciting events, including a fairgrounds Fall Fest, a fundraising concert, Hispanic Heritage Night and more.

Kane County will feature a variety of fundraisers and fall events, including the Seventh Annual “Include Me” Gala, BatFest and more.

Five local McDonald’s restaurants in Dixon, Oregon, Rock Falls, Morrison and Sterling will participate in a fundraiser Wednesday, Sept. 18, supporting The Penguin Project of Sauk Valley.

Spooky Night Out on Sept. 14 is hosted by the Lockport Woman’s Club to benefit local charities.

Acclaimed scientist, innovator Dieter Gruen will speak Saturday at the Downers Grove Public Library fundraiser

Highlights of Fiesta en el Bicentennial Park include local artists, diverse food vendors and unique shops

The weekend also marks the Education Foundation of Downers Grove Grade School District 58′s 11th annual Oktoberfest, the foundation’s largest fundraiser.

Bryan Monk and four friends, including fully geared-up Dixon firefighter Sean Wagner, walked up and down 2,200 steps at Castle Rock State Park in Oregon on Wednesday to honor the New York firefighters who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Alongside the 15th annual Jalopy Fest, Kendall County will feature the Widows Harvest music festival; a unique fundraiser open to women; and other activities.