Marian students celebrate compassion with Day of Service
Students from Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights spent a recent Wednesday engaging in service projects on and off campus for the school’s second Day of Service event.
On campus, students prepared meals for homeless people as well as members of the Chicago Heights police and fire departments, planted 16 trees with assistance from the Morton Arboretum, created items for animals in shelters, made bracelets for pediatric cancer patients, created cards for veteran and health care groups and more.
Off campus projects included visits to area Catholic grade schools, helping out at organizations such as Respond NOW and Habitat for Humanity, and volunteering at the NAWS Illinois Humane Society.
The projects were a way for students to “step outside of their comfort zone in the service of others,” said Linda Handsen, a vice president at the school.
Shepard JROTC adopts 135th Street
The Air Force Junior ROTC program at Shepard High School in Palos Heights is the latest group from the school to join the Adopt-A-Highway program sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation. JROTC instructor MSGT (ret.) Chris Saberniak and several of his students last Saturday cleaned the stretch of 135th Street between Ridgeland Avenue and Harlem Avenue.
JROTC joined Leo Club and National Honor Society from Shepard in the Adopt-A-Highway program. Leo Club and NHS adopted 127th Street between Ridgeland and Cicero Avenue.
OLCHS students hold food drive, collecting prom wear
Students at Oak Lawn Community High School are hoping community members chip in with their helpful efforts in coming days.
The Student Council’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive runs through Nov. 20, and includes a contest between teachers, offices and clubs. Each group is collecting cans and money for food pantries at Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Burbank, with the group that collects the most donations will earn a prize as well as the ceremonial Turkey Chalice. Donations can be delivered during school hours to the Greeter Station in the parking lot off Southwest Highway.
The school is also collecting dresses for its annual Cinderella’s Closet, which is designed to help female students acquire prom gear at a significantly lower cost. Through Cinderella’s Closet, parents, students, and community members have an opportunity to donate dry-cleaned dresses, shoes, and unopened makeup to provide joy and happiness for other students according to a news release from the school. Dresses are sold for $10 each at the Closet event, scheduled for Feb. 10.
Donations can be dropped off during regular hours, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the school, 9400 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn, through Feb. 9. More information is with Maria Vanderwarren at 708-741-5602 or mvanderwarren@olchs.org.
Homewood begins recycling program for candy wrappers
The village of Homewood is participating in Trash or Treasure, a program designed to help reduce the waste that accumulates around seasonal celebrations throughout the year, starting with Halloween 2023. Residents and visitors can drop off candy wrappers in a box at Village Hall, and the wrappers will be recycled into other plastic uses.
The Trash or Treasure program will run throughout the year with special campaigns around Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and other seasonal festivities in 2024, according to a news release from the village.
Residents can drop off candy wrappers weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Village Hall, 2020 Chestnut Rd. More information on the recycling program is at https://www.rubicon.com/trash-or-treasure/.
Turkey giveaway offered in Chicago Heights
The Black McDonald’s Operators Association will celebrate the start of the holiday season with the 23rd annual holiday food giveaway, Food for the Body and Spirit, which will provide turkey, sides and more for families and veterans in need.
The organization will give out 2,500 turkeys across five McDonald’s locations throughout Chicagoland and northwest Indiana. Bimbo Bakeries USA will join this effort by providing sweet baked goods as part of each holiday meal pack. The giveaway will honor veterans with a VIP line and special offerings upon proof of military service. All participating families and individuals will also receive a hat and gloves.
In the Southland, the turkey giveaway will be at 8 a.m. Nov. 11 at the McDonalds at 9767 S. Halsted St., Chicago Heights. Food will be distributed while supplies last.
Stagg Art for the Season craft fair set
Stagg High School Music Booster organization presents Art for the Season, an arts and crafts fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 12 at the school, 8015 W 111th St. in Palos Hills.
The fair includes over 170 art and craft and vendor booths offering handmade jewelry, seasonal and home décor, wood crafts, clothing accessories, children’s items, soaps and lotions and more. The fair also features raffles, lunch, and food sampling.
Admission to the fair is $3.00. All proceeds benefit Stagg High School’s music programs. More information is at 708-974-7520.
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