Rick Burchell succeeds Nate Kloster as the executive director of Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois. Kloster is retiring in July.

About 45 volunteers took to sites across DeKalb County as part of Day of Caring, hosted by Kishwaukee United Way, on Thursday to give back to the community.

Volunteers participated in Hope Week, a community service initiative led by Ax Church, on projects throughout the Illinois Valley. The annual event brings together hundreds of volunteers to complete beautification projects, assist local organizations and serve communities across La Salle, Bureau and Putnam Counties.

The village of Montgomery took an evening to celebrate the special volunteers who through small acts of kindness “create lasting impacts” across the community. The 2026 Volunteers of the Year honorees were awarded on June 8.

PrairieFest is Kendall County’s largest festival, attracting upwards of 75,000 people every year. Oswegoland Park District has been organizing PrairieFest since 1989.

The 73 districts receiving grants provide fire protection to about 250,000 Illinois residents, primarily in rural areas of Illinois.

To highlight outstanding contributions to the Wheaton community, the city’s Community Relations Commission recently presented nine Wheaton residents with 2026 Good Citizens Awards

The next Crochet for Wildlife program will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11, outdoors at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm at Hidden Oaks Preserve in Bolingbrook.

The Iowans will be at the next live Music @ the Museum event taking place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 29, at the Savanna Museum & Cultural Center.

Advance registration required for event at Will County Office Building in Joliet. Anyone interested in volunteering can sign up at ShareFestWillCounty.org.

The Kids n Nature program has been offered during spring and fall semesters as well as a summer session by University of Illinois Extension volunteers.

Phyllis Holmes said she works five hours a day, three days a week, at the Broadway Head Start, despite needing oxygen to help herself breathe.

The annual "Chop Around the Clock" fundraiser has become a beloved tradition in Batavia. Barber Craig Foltos said it's about providing hope to all of the children and families being helped by Ronald McDonald House. He said the event shows "they are not alone."

A group of Will County women are quietly supporting multiple local charities every year through a dedication to financial contributions.

By-Y Badgers 4-H club participated in National Day of Service on Saturday, April 25.

During the century’s first three decades, American businesses fought to reign supreme on the farm by developing a reliable, affordable tractor.

The annual Bicentennial Bluffs Neighborhood Association spring cleanup in Joliet will include free doughnuts, a raffle and a free "thank you, lunch."

Houses were destroyed and communities will be altered for years to come, but one Kankakee County golf course took a direct hit from the March 10 tornado, losing approximately 300 trees with some as old as 250 years old.

Montgomery is seeking nominations for individuals, organizations, and businesses that have gone above and beyond volunteering their time and talents to better the community.

The two statewide volunteer programs, run through the University of Illinois Extension, train residents to grow food, support pollinators, and protect natural resources.

Representing Yorkville, 12-year old Olivia Madden and 9-year old Keegan Harris each won their respective age-group at the annual Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.

The investment, announced Thursday, advances the campaign to 40% of its fundraising goal.

Twenty-nine Earth Day projects were completed on as part of the United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties’ annual Day of Action on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

With trash bags and grabbers in hand, volunteers set out on 29 Earth Day projects on Wednesday as part of the United Way of Kankakee & Iroquois Counties annual Day of Action.

University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H youth development program in Ogle County honors over 100 volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 19-25.

The YWCA of the Sauk Valley named six area women as 2026 Women of Achievement award recipients Thursday afternoon at the Dixon Elks Lodge.

The Ogle County Historical Society’s next monthly meeting is Monday, April 27, in the carriage house annex behind the Nash House Museum.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The annual gathering honors children whose lives are impacted by abuse and neglect. It also celebrates the CASA Kendall advocates

The Amboy Lions Club all-inclusive park, planned for the former Amboy Junior High School site, will take another step toward becoming reality on April 13.

A wrapper or cigarette butt might seem small, but multiplied across blocks of sidewalks, it reshapes how a downtown feels. Once a month from March to October, volunteers step up to change that in Sterling, cleaning it up and building friendships in the process.

The home of a Kendall County nonprofit that specializes in giving foster kids a second chance is getting a second life itself with substantial renovations.

The Grand Parade, traditionally held during Geneva’s premier festival, Swedish Days, won’t take place this year.

The Gathering of the Green attracted hundreds of John Deere collectors and enthusiasts from numerous states and several countries for the four-day event that featured workshops, tours and a vendor area packed with treasures.

Dedicated by one of St. Charles' most famous sons and biggest philanthropists in 1926, the Baker Community Center turns 100 this year, which will be marked with a May 1 celebration.

Members of the civic group, Hands on Oregon, pitched in to help prepare for the annual Oregon Woman’s Club Antique Fair held recently at the Blackhawk Center on the Oregon Junior/Senior High School Campus in Oregon.

For the last 24 years, Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County volunteers have worked tirelessly to bring critical housing solutions to residents of Ogle County.

Local youths interested in rabbits and small animal care are invited to participate in an upcoming 4-H rabbit workshop. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to noon April 18 in the Rabbit Barn at the Lee County Fairgrounds.

The organization hosts the communal meals every Friday during Lent from 4 to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 9054 E. Veterans Parkway, in Yorkville.

Across Kendall County, Meals on Wheels also served 8,713 “cafe meals” in fun social settings to older adults in places like the Beecher Center in Yorkville and the Oswegoland Senior and Community Center.

The city of Yorkville took a moment to show appreciation to the Yorkville American Legion and the Knights of Columbus for the volunteering work both organizations do throughout the community.

The Teen Turf program, which emphasizes homework, serves students in third grade through high school and runs Monday through Thursday – anywhere from 20 to 40 students attend each day.

Three new recipients received Spirit of St. Charles Awards recently for what Mayor Clint Hull called exemplifying traits like leadership and compassion that tie the community together. Those honored included Lazarus House, for providing shelter and aid to those in need.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, in the Windmill Cultural Center at 111 10th Ave. in Fulton. Those attending will hear the thoughts of these new owners/operators on how to build a business amid today’s economic atmosphere.

The bitter winter months can be a challenging time for families to get by. Following the holiday rush, food pantries often see a dip in donations just when folks need it most. At the Kendall County Community Food Pantry in Yorkville, staff says families need consistent donations.

A dedicated group of volunteers have kept Langham Island alive and vibrant for more than a decade. It's resulted in the resurgence of rare plants to the unique island on the Kankakee River.

UCP-Center for Disability Services founder – Mel Larsen of Joliet (deceased) – had no connection to anyone with a disability or cerebral palsy.

Volunteers are needed for the Forest Preserve District of Will County’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service events.

Space is limited and registration required. Forest Preserve District volunteer morning programs are held from 9 a.m. to noon and are for ages 10 and older.

Hollywood Casino Joliet’s Gala Giveaway is valued at $60,000.

The Kiwanis Club of Joliet swore in new officers this month as it prepares for its 106th year in the community.