Charity briefs for March 4, 2014

Guaranteed Marathon Entry: The South Suburban Family Shelter is one of 10 partners that is an approved charity for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct. 12, meaning that the team has guaranteed spots and anyone who wishes to run for a cause may join the “Run Domestic Violence Out of Town” team and avoid having to register through the lottery system and risk not getting a spot in the marathon. A $1,000 minimum fundraising commitment is required. Registration will begin March 5. To learn more about how to guarantee a spot or register for Team Run Domestic Violence Out of Town, email marathonteam@batteredwomensnetwork.org, visit www.rundvoutoftown.org or call the South Suburban Family Shelter at (708) 794-2140, Ext. 303.

Red Carpet Dinner/Dance: Tinley Park-based Together We Cope will host its annual Red Carpet Event dinner dance at 7 p.m. March 7 at Odyssey Country Club, 19110 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. There will be an open bar, dinner buffet, music, dancing and auctions for items such as pro sports event tickets, sports memorabilia, a Disney World vacation package, gift baskets and more. There also will be raffles for prizes such as diamond earrings, a 55-inch LCD TV and a Polaroid 10-inch tablet. Sponsorship opportunities are available and offer amenities such as free dinner tickets and advertising. For more information on sponsorships, email kmoran@togetherwecope.org, kbewley@togetherwecope.org or call (708) 633-5040. Tickets are $100 per person, or $950 for a table of 10. Together We Cope assists Southland families in crisis.

Family Faire, Toy Drive and Pancake Breakfast: A celebration of Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210’s asset program is slated for March 8 at Lincoln-Way East, 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort. The lineup begins with a 9 a.m. pancake breakfast, with area religious groups serving complimentary hotcakes in the school cafeteria until 10 a.m. Donations will be accepted to cover food expenses. A Family Faire, sponsored by Lincoln-Way-area park districts, will take place in the gym from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be children’s games, crafts, characters, live entertainment, 40 vendors and a bounce house. Admission is free, but children are encouraged to bring a small new toy (such as from a restaurant kids meal) to donate to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, which distributes them to children fighting cancer.

Irish Fest/Soda Bread Contest: An Irish fest and soda bread contest to benefit the fight against brain tumors is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 8 at Charleston’s Bar & Grill, 2101 Calistoga Drive, New Lenox. The seventh annual fest, in memory of Lynn Bennett, will include kids activities, raffles, an auction, split-the-pot, corned beef sandwiches and cabbage, performances by Irish step dancers and bagpipers and more. Soda bread drop-off for the contest — first prize is $500 — is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entrants must be at least 21 and must be present to win. Proceeds will benefit the Pediatric Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Center at the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital. Sponsorships are available at $250, $500 and $1,000 levels. For more information or to be a sponsor or donate cash or a raffle prize, contact Julie Trafton at (815) 693-3097, Karen Peck at (708) 987-7123 or William Bennett at (708) 870-1715.

Coach Angsten’s Cause: A benefit to help the family of longtime St. Rita football coach Jim Angsten, who is battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. March 8 at St. Rita High School, 7740 S. Western Ave., Chicago. Organizers are seeking donations that can be used for raffles, silent auctions, baskets and prizes. Tickets for the event are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets for a fundraiser raffle with $10,000 in prizes are for sale for $100. The prize money will be adjusted if 300 tickets are not sold. The drawing will be held during the fundraiser. The winner need not be present. Angsten is in his 42nd year of teaching and is completing his 35th year on staff at St. Rita. The Chicago Catholic League Hall of Famer spent a majority of his career as the defensive coordinator for the St. Rita football team. For more information, contact Jamie Angsten at (630) 202-2141 or email angstenjm@yahoo.com, or contact Tim Angsten at (309) 275-9363.

‘Masters of Motown’: The Homewood-Flossmoor High School Foundation will host a Motown fundraiser March 15 at Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Blvd., Park Forest. A private reception preceding the sold-out “Masters of Motown” concert is to begin at 5:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. A limited number of tickets have been reserved so community members and alumni can enjoy a gathering before the performance and during the show’s intermission. Tickets for the show and reception are $40 and are limited to a first-come, first-served basis. “Masters of Motown” features stylish costumes and fully choreographed tributes to both male and female groups. Proceeds help fund scholarships and grants that allow H-F teachers to bring new ideas to the classroom. For tickets or more information, visit hffoundation.org/news/homewood-flossmoor-high-school-foundation-news-and-events.html.

Dinner and Theatre: The Kiwi Club of Chicago will present dinner and the hilarious and award-winning musical Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” at 3 p.m. March 16 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The event will feature a mini lotto, raffle and cash bar. Proceeds will benefit Oak Lawn-based Park Lawn, which provides services that promote independence, choice and access to community living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tickets are $70 per person and include dinner. To buy tickets, contact Ruth Banas at (219) 836-5387.

Ice Cream Social: A “Spring: What Took You So Long?” ice cream social hosted by the Family Services Foundation of New Lenox Township is slated for 1 to 4 p.m. March 20 at Harry E. Anderson VFW Post 9545, 323 Old Hickory Road, New Lenox. Entertainment will be provided by the Bruce Korosa Orchestra. The event is free to senior citizens 55 and older; the cost is $5 for those under 55. Donations will be accepted at the door.

Hold ’em Tournament: The Oak Lawn Community High School athletic boosters will host a Texas Hold ’em tournament from 6 p.m. to midnight March 22 at the Garden Chalet, 11000 S. Ridgeland Ave., Worth. Tickets are $75 and include an open bar, dinner buffet and table entry. A one-time additional chip purchase will be provided at check-in. Proceeds benefit the athletic programs at Oak Lawn. For more information, call (708) 741-5623 or email kmckeown@olchs.org.

Coed Volleyball Tournament: The 11th annual Digging for Donna coed volleyball tournament is slated for March 22 at St. Xavier University, 3700 W. 95th St., Chicago. Proceeds will benefit Dani’s Foundation and the Donna Barker Ewing’s Sarcoma Research Fund. A post-tournament party is to be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at Gilhooley’s Grand Saloon, 3901 W. 103rd St., Chicago. The cost will be $10 for players or $35 for nonparticipants. Volunteers for the tournament are needed. For information on how to donate, email joyce@danisfoundation.org or call or text to (773) 576-0877. Donations payable to Dani’s Foundation also can be mailed to Dani’s Foundation, 216 16th Street, Suite 1600, Denver, CO 80202.

Jimmy Murphy Benefit: Friends of former St. Brendan’s Gaelic football player Jimmy Murphy are holding a benefit for him from 6 to 11 p.m. March 29 at Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest. Murphy, 42, of Orland Park, is a self-employed plumber who suffered neck and spine injuries in a fall and then broke an ankle. He is unable to walk unaided and has been off work for more than two years. “It’s a worthy cause because Jimmy’s not in good shape,” friend and former coach Muredach McCloat said. “The main thing now is to get this guy back walking by himself without an aid.” Donations will be accepted at the door. There will be food, a disc jockey, live music by John Staunton, and Irish dancers. Items for silent and live auctions will include a signed Patrick Kane Blackhawks jersey, the jersey worn by Jonathan Toews in the Winter Classic, and an All-Star Gaelic football sweater from Ireland, plus tickets to a Blackhawks-Minnesota game with hotel and dinner for included, McCloat said. Donations also can be given at State Bank of Countryside, and mailed in care of Mary McNally, 15980 Parker Road, Homer Glen, IL 60491. For more information, contact McCloat at (708) 819-4287.

Spin Class: To help a Manhattan family whose 3-year-old son has leukemia, Hawk Health Fitness is hosting Ride for Bryce, a charity spin class, on March 29. To help with child care, the Manhattan-Elwood Public Library, 240 E. Whitson St., Manhattan, is hosting a free public movie night for kids during the event. The charity ride is a one-hour class with half the time on spin bikes, and the other half on suspension ropes. Participants of all fitness levels are welcome. The cost is $30 per person, with all profit going to the family of Bryce Bartczak. Light snacks and water will be served. There will also be chair massages available for $1 a minute. Only 24 spaces are available for the ride. Hawk Health Fitness is at 112 S. State St., Manhattan. The event is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. To register, visit www.hawk-health.com.

Spring Shoe Sale: The spring shoe sale for Share Your Soles — a nonprofit founded by Richards High School graduate Mona Purdy — will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at the Lighthouse Church of All Nations, 4501 W. 127th St., Alsip. Some fashionable shoes that have been donated aren’t suitable for countries where Share Your Soles distributes shoes, so they are sold to raise funds instead. Designer name brands are available for $5 to $15. Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted, but not checks.

Christ Medical Center Salute Gala: Dinner, dancing and entertainment are on the agenda for Advocate Christ Medical Center’s 2014 Salute Gala, Fire & Ice, set for May 3 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown, 540 N. Michigan Ave. The event, which begins with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m., will benefit the growth and expansion of the medical center’s Oak Lawn campus. “The Doctors” co-host Dr. Ian Smith will be the keynote speaker. The event will include cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a three-course seated dinner and dancing to the sounds of the Larry King Orchestra. Tickets are $350 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Margo Cusic at (708) 684-3764 or emailing Margo.Cusic@advocatehealth.com. To buy tickets, visit advocatehealth.com/salute.

Senior American Idol: Orland Township will host its annual Senior American Idol show from 5 to 10 p.m. May 6 at Georgios Banquets, 8800 W. 159th St., Orland Hills. More than 20 people auditioned on Feb. 20, and 16 finalists were selected. The event benefits the Orland Township Scholarship Foundation. Tickets for Senior American Idol are on sale at the Orland Township office, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park.

Donate Furniture: Together We Cope, a nonprofit that assists families in need, has added another day to its schedule of furniture pickups for area residents wishing to donate gently used furniture to the agency’s resale shop, Nu2u. Donated furniture now can be picked up at a donor’s home Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For reservations for pickups, call (708) 633-9180. There may be a nominal charge for pickup depending on the location. For more information, visit www.togetherwecope.org.

Clothing drive: Phoebe’s Closet, the clothing ministry of Mayo African Methodist Episcopal Church, will accept gently worn and clean clothing donations from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month. Phoebe’s Closet, which is open during those hours, offers men’s, women’s and children’s clothing to those in need at no cost. The church is at 20839 S. Homeland Road, Matteson.

Winter clothes, volunteers wanted: Neat Repeats Resale is accepting gently used men’s, women’s and children’s coats, plus children’s winter clothing and toys at either store: 7026 W. 111th St. in Worth, or 9028 W. 159th St., Orland Park. Call (708) 361-6860 or (708) 364-7605, respectively. All sales benefit the clients of the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, a nonprofit that provides emergency shelter and other services for individuals and families victimized by domestic violence. Both stores also are looking for volunteers. Call the stores for details.

Volunteers Sought: The Gaylord Building, 200 W. Eighth St., Lockport, is seeking volunteers to help preserve and promote the historic site. The building played a vital role in the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal and has been a landmark since 1838. The building needs volunteers to help with visitor services, guided tours, educational programs, building maintenance and gardening. Hours are flexible, and experience is not necessary, as training will be provided. For more information, call (815) 838-9400 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

Donations needed: The South Suburban Family Shelter is in need of nonperishable food items for clients who are experiencing domestic violence. Personal hygiene products also are needed. Donations may be dropped off at 18139 Harwood Ave., Homewood. Call (708) 794-2140, Ext. 303, before dropping off items.

Food Drive: Two Men and a Truck, an Orland Park-based moving company, is working with Move for Hunger to collect food to help fight hunger. Nonperishable food items will be donated to the Orland Township Food Pantry. To request boxes for food donations when you are moving, or for more information about Move For Hunger, visit twomenandatruckorlandpark.com/move-for-hunger.

Recycling: St. Christopher School, 14611 S. Keeler Ave., Midlothian, is holding a recycling fundraiser, and will be collecting items including empty toner and ink-jet cartridges, cell phones, DVDs, video games and video games systems, PDAs, iPods and laptops. The items may be dropped off at the school, parish office or church. Items should be undamaged, and empty toner should be repackaged into the new box of toner. Companies that want to donate but cannot deliver items are asked to call the school at (708) 385-8776. The school also recycles paper, with three bins on the south side of the gravel parking lot on the east side of the building.

Cell Phone Collection: South Suburban Family Shelter is collecting cell phones for an ongoing fundraiser, and also is seeking schools, businesses or other organizations to volunteer as collection sites. The shelter provides services for victims of domestic violence. Collection sites include the SSFS administrative office, 18139 Harwood Ave., Homewood; Bergstein’s NY Deli, 200 Dixie Highway, Chicago Heights; and Doyle Designed Salon, 2630 Flossmoor Road, Flossmoor. For more information, call (708) 794-2140, Ext. 303.

Resale Shop: One More Thing Resale Shop, 343 Main St., Park Forest, is accepting donations of clothing and accessories, appliances, toys and household items. Furniture is accepted by arrangement. One More Thing also is accepting volunteer applications. Sales at the store benefit South Suburban Family Shelter, which supports victims of domestic violence and homeless women with children. Donations are welcome from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Information: Contact Janice at (708) 228-5077.

Repeat Boutique: The Repeat Boutique resale shop, at 18157 Dixie Highway in Homewood, is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. All workers are volunteers, and all proceeds go to Grand Prairie Services clients. Items in the shop include clothing, furs, jewelry, shoes, books and household items. Information: (708) 957-5052.

Seeking volunteers: The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter is seeking individuals interested in becoming Alzheimer’s Association Community Representatives in Will County. New volunteers will receive training. To become an AACR, visit alz.org/illinois, click on “volunteer” and select “Alzheimer’s Association Community Rep” on the application form.

Donate unused tickets: Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens, 7402 W. Lake Katherine Drive in Palos Heights, has joined tix4cause.com, an emarketplace ticket service that turns unused tickets into cash donations for nonprofits. Individuals, businesses or corporations can donate unused tickets for sports, music, theater or leisure activities to Lake Katherine. The public can buy tickets via tix4cause.com, and 90 percent of the ticket proceeds go to support Lake Katherine. To make a donation and/or buy tickets, visit www.lakekatherine.org or tix4cause.com. Be sure to identify Lake Katherine as your charity of choice. Information: (708) 361-1873.

Text to Give: Nonprofit organization Park Lawn, 10833 S. LaPorte, Oak Lawn, has recently launched a new “Text to Give” mobile giving campaign to benefit the programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. The program allows donors to make a $5 donation through Give by Cell by texting the phrase GIVEPL to the number 20222. Donations are tax-deductible and pledges are billed through your monthly cell phone bill. Users must be 18 or older or have parental permission to participate, and must agree to the terms and conditions. Message and data rates may apply. For more information, visit www.givebycell.com.

Staples: Together We Cope is seeking certain staples that are in short supply at its food pantry. Canned soup, pasta, rice and breakfast cereal in particular can be dropped off at the pantry, 17010 S. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Contact Carol Ettema, pantry director, at (708) 633-5040 if you wish to conduct a food drive for those items.

Purr-fect Donations: The South Suburban Humane Society is seeking donations to help take care of kittens. The humane society is registered at Target and Wal-Mart. Donated items also can be dropped off at The South Suburban Humane Society at 1103 West End Ave., Chicago Heights, or the SSHS Spay/Neuter Clinic at 18349 S. Halsted St., Glenwood.

Encore Shop Expansion: The newly expanded Encore Shop, the resale shop of Silver Cross Hospital, is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and the first Saturday of the month. The shop is in the Hershman Building, 1301 Copperfield Ave., Joliet, the former Silver Cross Hospital campus. Donations of gently used seasonal decorations, adult and children’s clothing, household items and books can be dropped off there. Call (815) 300-7642 or Volunteers Services at Silver Cross Hospital at (815) 300-7117. Past proceeds have helped buy X-ray equipment, ICU beds, laptop computers, dialysis and mammography equipment, surgery carts and more for the nonprofit hospital.

Pizza for a cause: St. Christopher School and Kenootz Pizzeria have teamed up for an Eat and Earn Fundraiser on the first Tuesday of each month. Kenootz Pizzeria, 4659 W. 147th St., Midlothian, is donating 25 percent of all profits for dine-in, carry-out and delivery order (before taxes, gratuity, and coupons) to the school. Be sure to mention St. Christopher when ordering to have the percentage donated. Call the pizzeria at (708) 535-0005.

Target St. Christopher School: St. Christopher School in Midlothian is continuing its participation in Target Corp.’s “Take Charge of Education” program. To help the school, individuals need to use their Target REDcard and inform the checkout person that they would like St. Christopher School to receive credit for the purchase. It does not cost the purchaser anything and Target Corp. will donate up to 1 percent of the REDcard purchases to the school.

Donations needed: Neat Repeats Resale stores in Orland Park and Worth are in need of gently used women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, handbags, shoes and jewelry along with small household appliances and kitchen items in good working order. The Neat Repeats stores depend on community residents to provide the inventory for the retail operations. All donations benefit women and children who are receiving services free of charge from the Crisis Center for South Suburbia. Items can be dropped off at either store location: 7026 W. 111th St. in Worth, (708) 361-6860; or 9028 W. 159th St. in Orland Park, (708) 364-7605.

Sharing soles: Orland Township, 14807 S. Ravinia, is collecting shoes for the Share Your Soles organization. Any gently worn shoes will be accepted 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. The goal of the charity is to provide shoes to underprivileged families worldwide. Call (708) 403-4222.

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, 11 a.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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CARE Program: ComEd offers customer assistance programs that help deployed members of the military and disabled veterans who have fallen behind on their bills, plus programs for low-income families and for nonprofits. For more information or to enroll, visit ComEd.Com/CARE or call (888) 806-2273.