Faith Lutheran Church in Aurora will again celebrate Easter by dropping candy-stuffed plastic eggs from a helicopter in a field near the church to begin an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4, the day before Easter, event organizers said.
The community event is open to children up to 10 years old, church officials said in a press release. Participants should bring their own basket. More than 12,000 eggs will be available during the hunt, with some 2,000 pouring down from the helicopter.
Doors will open for the event at 10 a.m., with the helicopter drop around 11 a.m., according to the release. Organizers recommend that everyone participating in the event be at the church at 3000 Liberty St. in Aurora by 10:30 a.m.
Volunteers will be on hand to steer the children into groups by age to collect the eggs, according to the release. Afterward, a photographer will be on hand or participants can take their own photos when they see the Easter Bunny.
Tickets are available for the event online at Eventbrite, officials said, and there is a cost for parking. There are shuttle buses from an offsite location to the church and back, according to the release.
The Rev. Rob Douglas said this is a community party. Church services that morning are at 6:30, 8 and 9:30 a.m.
For more information, call Douglas at 630-862-3500 or email pastor@discoveringfaith.com.
Holub to be next principal at Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy
The East Aurora School District 131 Board of Education recently approved the appointment of Anthony Holub as the next principal of Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy, district officials said in a press release.
Holub will officially begin his role on July 1, 2026, officials said.
Holub brings nearly three decades of experience in education, according to the release. He currently serves as Director of Schools – STEAM for Oswego Community Unit School District 308, where he has led districtwide initiatives to expand science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics learning opportunities for students and staff, the release said.
“We are excited to bring Mr. Holub forward as part of East Aurora’s leadership team as principal at Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy,” said Robert Halverson, superintendent of East Aurora School District 131, in the release. “His passion for STEAM education and proven commitment to student development will be an incredible asset to our district and community.”
Holub said he is looking forward to taking the reins at Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy.
“I’m very excited to serve so many wonderful families, community members, staff and students,” he said in the release. “What really stood out to me while getting to know East Aurora is the people.”
Volunteers sought for Earth Day project
Volunteers can celebrate Earth Day by helping plant 500 native trees and shrubs at Fabyan Forest Preserve in Geneva beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 18, event organizers said.
Volunteers will place trees and shrubs in holes that have already been dug, backfill and tamp down soil, then add water and mulch, according to a press release from the Kane County Forest Preserve District. The event will go until noon or until all the trees and shrubs are planted.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work gloves. In addition to the planting activity, the event will include a naturalist-guided hike and environmental education activities, the release said. There will also be commemorative Earth Day pins for the first 250 volunteers.
No registration is required for individuals or small groups looking to take part in the event. Groups of 10 or more are asked to register in advance by contacting the Kane County Forest Preserve District’s volunteer coordinator at 630-762-2741 or cleaverobb@kaneforest.com.
For more information, go to www.kaneforest.com or follow the Forest Preserve District of Kane County on social media by searching @forestpreserve.
DuPage County supporting food programs
The DuPage County Board is allocating $4.8 million in surplus funds from the fiscal year 2025 budget to help address food insecurity.
Board members approved $2.5 million for Loaves & Fishes Community Services to expand the agency’s Aurora Food Distribution Hub, $2 million to Northern Illinois Food Bank to provide fresh produce and other essentials to local food pantries and $322,000 to The Conservation Foundation in Naperville to expand its Farm to Pantry Program.
Funds donated to the Loaves & Fishes project will go towards their $8 million expansion project. The nonprofit plans to increase its food distribution facility from 30,000 square feet to 62,000 square feet, nearly quadruple its cold storage capacity and nearly double the number of clients it serves, a county news release said.
Money for the Northern Illinois Food Bank will be used over two years to provide food, including fresh produce, to local pantries, the release said.
The Conservation Foundation’s grant will provide about 22,000 pounds of food through its Farm to Pantry Program over two years, the release said. Additional funds will be used to buy a refrigerated truck and build a new greenhouse.
