La Grange’s St. Cletus volunteers distribute 300 turkeys on Thanksgiving
Thanks to the generosity of St. Cletus Parish in La Grange, 300 families had a Thanksgiving meal and nonperishable food to enjoy.
Meals included chicken or turkey and traditional Thanksgiving fixings such as premade stuffing, green bean casserole, potatoes and homemade cookies or recipients could pick their own sides to cook. Households included senior citizens, working families and individuals and immigrants. The St. Cletus Food Pantry has been helping more people than ever, recently serving 185 households in one day — a record for the parish.
The Social Concerns Ministry at the parish has greatly expanded its fundraising in the last three years, tripling the direct financial help offered to parishioners and neighbors in need. In 2025, it distributed more than $100,000, which helps people pay utility bills or cover rent.
Triton College competing for Aspen Prize
Among those competing for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellent is Triton College in River Grove.
It’s among 200 colleges chosen based on student outcome data, and the winner will be named in spring 2027. In the next 20 months, colleges will be assessed on “student outcomes data, ranging from student transfer and completion rates to employment and wages after graduation” and “whether they have engaged in scaled practices that led to high and improving student outcomes,” according to a news release.
“Triton College is pleased to be recognized for our commitment to valuing the individual, educating and serving our community,” President Mary-Rita Moore shared via the release. “This recognition affirms that strong student outcomes are achievable when access and academic excellence come together.”
Darien Lions collecting toys for kids
The Darien Lions Club hosts a holiday toy drive through Dec. 12, and items can be dropped off between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at Darien City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road.
New, unwrapped toys will be accepted (except plush toys) for infants up to 1 year old and children 6 to 12 years old. All items will go to needy children in the community. Information is at www.darienlions.org.
Bolingbrook hospital breaks ground on cath lab addition
A recent groundbreaking ceremony for a 15,000-square-foot addition to the UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook campus drew a host of hospital and community leaders and local officials.
The new catheterization labs are designed to “improve response times for cardiac emergencies” and to improve the ability to care more efficiently for patients, according to a news release. It also will include expanded access to advanced interventional radiology procedures, which will help patients facing cancer diagnoses.
Dignitaries at the ceremony included UCHicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook CEO Kenneth Rose, Will County Center for Economic Development CEO Doug Pryor, Bolingbrook Mayor Mary Alexander-Basta, medical staff incoming president Dr. Arnon Rubin, as well as several others.
Church hosts Hinsdale Hallelujah on Dec. 6
A Hinsdale Hallelujah comes to the stage at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at Hinsdale Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 201 N. Oak St. in Hinsdale.
This performance of Handel’s “Messiah” and Mozart’s “Coronation Concerto” features a combined choir of professional and volunteer singers from across the Chicago area as well as a professional orchestra.
No tickets are necessary, although an offering will be taken. Details are at 630-323-0182.
Lessons and Carols set at Elmhurst U.
The public is invited to celebrate the joy of the season with the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols at Elmhurst University, set for 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 5 in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, 190 Prospect Ave. in Elmhurst.
The free program, which began in 1961 at the campus, includes nine readings from scripture that tell the story of the birth of Christ. Elmhurst University choirs will sing songs to accompany each reading.
Doors open 30 minutes before each start time. The 7 p.m. service will be livestreamed at elmhurst.edu/bluejaytv.
Western Springs theater group performs ‘Rudolph’
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” a musical based on the classic holiday television special, will be performed from Dec. 5 to 14 at Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave. in Western Springs.
Shows are at 7 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost $17 for general admission for adults and $13 for children 18 and younger. Some fees apply for print and email tickets and credit card purchases. ve no additional fee. Buy tickets at app.arts-people.com or 708-246-4043.
Meet live reindeer at Elmhurst park
A holiday tree-lighting ceremony takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Wilder Park, 175 S. Prospect Ave. in Elmhurst.
The free event, offered by the Elmhurst Park District, includes holiday activities such as carnival games, a meet-and-greet with real reindeer and with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, on-stage performances, and cookies, ornament craft and story time inside the mansion.
The Chicago Donut Company, Travelin’ Toms Mobile Coffee Truck and Sugar Mama’s Mini Donuts will have food trucks at the park. Information is at 630-993-8900.
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