Reservations, donations sought for Christmas meals
The YMCA and the Naperville Park District will be delivering Christmas meals for Naperville senior citizens and families in need on Christmas Eve.
Anyone interested in receiving a meal should make a meal reservation by Dec. 16 by contacting Robert Fields at rlfields@ymcachicago.org or 630-579-5705.
There is a maximum of two meals per household. When making reservations, residents should leave their name, address, phone number, email address and the number of meals requested. Up to 300 meals will be given away.
Donations are also being sought to help fund this annual initiative. To make a donation, go to www.napervilleparks.org. A donations tab for the Community Christmas meal will be at the top of the webpage.
The Community Christmas Meal program is funded entirely through donations.
Luminaria being sold locally to benefit Infant Welfare Society
The Wheaton-Naperville Chapter of the Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago will be selling luminaria to benefit the Infant Welfare Society.
A luminaria set includes five candles and five bags for $6. A set of five reusable plastic bases that hold the candles can be purchased for $15.
Luminaria sets can be bought online at www.wheatoninfantwelfare.org/luminaria. Orders will be delivered by Dec. 20.
They are also available now through Christmas Eve at Buikema’s ACE Hardware, 963 W. 75th St., Naperville; Buikema’s ACE Hardware, 1705 N. Main St. and 90 E. Loop Road, Wheaton; and at Carlson’s True Value Hardware, 125 E. Front St., Wheaton.
Naperville athletes to compete at Special Olympics games
Naperville residents Michael Brennan, Ryan Gronowski and Louis Pisani are among the Illinois delegation to compete in the Special Olympics USA games to be held in June in Florida.
Special Olympics Illinois is sending a 104-member delegation, including athletes and coaches, to represent the state at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. Team Illinois will compete in track and field, bocce, bowling, Unified golf, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, swimming and flag football.
Brennan, Gronowski and Pisani will be members of the flag football team.
The Special Olympics USA Games is held every four years and will feature more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean.
Naperville Park District program guide goes online Dec. 1
The Naperville Park District’s online winter program guide will be available starting Wednesday, Dec. 1, at www.napervilleparks.org/programguides.
Program registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6, for residents and 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, for nonresidents.
Spring soccer registration for residents starts at noon Tuesday, Dec. 14, for girls and Wednesday, Dec. 15, for boys. Nonresidents can sign up starting Thursday, Dec. 16.
Parents can register their children now for winter break camps being held Dec. 27-Jan. 6. Gymnastics, basketball, flag football and Lego-inspired camps are among those offered. More information can be found in the autumn program guide.
DuPage 2022 forest preserve permits on sale Wednesday
Annual permits for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s off-leash dog areas, private watercraft, stand-up paddleboards, model crafts and the archery range go on sale Wednesday, Dec. 1.
Purchases can be made online at www.dupageforest.org or by calling 630-933-7248.
Permits can be purchased in person at the district’s headquarters, 3S580 Naperville Road, Wheaton. Off-leash dog permits can also be bought at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook.
Active military personnel, veterans and anyone 65 or older are eligible for one free annual permit per household.
Picnic shelter and camping reservations can be made up to one year in advance. The Blackwell campground will reopen May 7.
KidsMatter holding Volunteer Fair for kids, teens and adults
KidsMatter will host its 18th annual Volunteer Fair for kids, teens and adults from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive.
Anyone interested in fulfilling service hours or looking for ways to give back to their community can meet with various nonprofit groups to discuss the types of volunteer opportunities they offer.
Advance registration is not necessary.
Area nonprofit organizations interested in participating can contact Sherilyn Hebel at sherilyn@kidsmatter2us.org. For more information, go to www.kidsmatter2us.org.
