DRIVES
*The Community of Readers annual book drive sponsored by First Community Bank and School District U-46 will begin Wednesday and continue through Feb. 2. Donations of new or gently used pre-school and grade-school reading level materials may be dropped off at the bank’s Elgin locations at 165 S. Randall Rd. or 50 Tyler Creek Plaza.
*The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago is in need of powdered baby formula. Similac with iron or LIPIL with iron is preferred for families receiving assistance. Disposable diapers also are needed. Monetary donations also will be accepted. Send checks payable to Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago, 2121 S. Goebbert Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005. To schedule a delivery, call Kathleen Kerman, Lyn Neuhengen or Margaret Brabham at 847-228-1320.
FUNDRAISERS
*The Barrington Lions Club will sponsor a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament for people 18 and older Jan. 20 in Docks Bar & Grill, 313 E. Liberty St., Wauconda. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. and the first hand will be dealt at noon. Prizes will be based on the number of participants. The entry fee is $150 and includes lunch. Registration is required. The event will benefit the Lions programs for the hearing and visually impaired. Checks should be mailed by Jan. 13 to: Barrington Lions Club, P.O. Box 521, Barrington IL 60011. Call Curt Pulkrabek at 847-381-0954.
*A Toast to the Town, a wine tasting to celebrate the Mt. Prospect Historical Society reaching the first phase of its fundraising goal to move historic Central School, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 24 in Vino 100 wine shop, 110 S. Emerson St., Mt. Prospect. A selection of sparkling wines and champagnes and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Admission is $10. A portion of all wine sales will be donated to the Historical Society. Call 847-392-9006.
*Comedian and WGN radio personality Tim Clue will perform at a fundraiser for the Elgin Children’s Chorus Jan. 25 in Boulder Ridge Country Club, 350 Boulder Drive, Lake in the Hills. Cocktails will begin at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. There also will be a cash bar, dinner, an auction and a special appearance by the Elgin Children’s Choristers. Tickets cost $85. Call the box office at 847-622-0300.
VOLUNTEERS
*The Literacy Connection will hold a free orientation session for volunteer literacy tutors from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Jan. 10 in the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Training sessions will follow from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Jan. 22, 23, 29, 30 and Feb. 5 and 6. Once trained, tutors will be matched with a student for an hour or two a week. Volunteers are needed in basic reading and english as a second language. Call 847-742-6565 or visit elginliteracy.org.
THOSE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
*The World Languages and International Studies Academy at Streamwood High School received a $5,000 grant from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Chicago to help fund students’ visits to Japanese firms.
*Filtertek Inc., in Hebron recently donated $2,500 to the Adult & Child Rehab Center in Woodstock. The center provides physical, occupational, speech and lymphedema therapies, as well as nursing care to residents of McHenry County.
*Arlington Park recently donated $500 to the Girl Scouts-Illinois Crossroads Council for its participation at this year’s Fiesta in the Park for Latina girls and their families.
*A total of $1,100 in unsolicited donations was recently received from area residents by the Huntley Area Public Library.
