VOLUNTEERS
*The holiday season poses major challenges for family members who care for an older adult. Most family caregivers are reluctant to leave their loved ones home alone, even for brief periods, which can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. Metropolitan Family Services DuPage, a non-profit family service agency in Wheaton, has trained and screened respite volunteers in Naperville who are ready to serve families of older adults. Volunteers provide brief, weekly in-home respite visits. No hands-on assistance is required. To arrange for a visit or to volunteer, call program coordinator Monica Lockie at 630-784-4875.
*The Humanitarian Service Project needs volunteers to wrap books for customers at Barnes and Noble, 47 E. Chicago St., Naperville. The project is dedicated to helping needy seniors and children in DuPage and Kane Counties. The cost of having gifts wrapped goes to the project. Shifts are available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the week. Call 630-221-8340.
*Mittens, gloves, scarves, socks, ear-warmers and knitted caps are being collected at Fourth Street United Methodist Church, 551 S. 4th St., Aurora. The items will be donated to children in need at Bardwell and Rollins Elementary Schools in Aurora. The drive will continue through Christmas. Donations may be made from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays. Call 630-897-5257.
FUNDRAISERS
*The Association for Individual Development will hold a Bowl-a-thon at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Parkside Lanes, 34W185 Montgomery Rd., Aurora. Proceeds will benefit children and adults with developmental disabilities. There will be door prizes, a fifty-fifty raffle and a strike-pot. Cost is $25 and includes three games, shoe rental, pizza and soda. The deadline for ticket sales is Jan. 13. Call 630-966-4252.
THOSE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
*The Lombard Fire Department collected about 1,500 toys Saturday during its annual Toy Drive and Parade. The toys will be donated to children in need locally via the Lombard/Villa Park Food Pantry and to the Uhlich Children’s Advantage Network, a Chicago-based social service agency serving children and families in six Illinois counties. Monetary donations and new, unwrapped toys are still being collected. Checks can be mailed to the Lombard Fire Department, in care of organizer Mike Heimbecker, 50 E. St. Charles Rd., Lombard.
*For the sixth year in a row, Fox Valley Unity Church — in conjunction with the Salvation Army — is providing gifts to 60 people who otherwise may not get presents on Christmas. Since the inception of the “Giving Tree” program, Fox Valley Unity has bought gifts for more than 300 people. The program also provides gifts for children who are being helped by Court Appointed Special Advocates, a program that provides advocates for children in the legal system.
