College volunteers create sleep spaces for Oak Park shelter
Volunteers with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP, at Triton College in River Grove spent more than 1,000 hours on a project that led to nine sleeping mats donated earlier this month to Housing Forward’s Anderson Emergency Shelter in Oak Park, which serves people who are homeless.
In October, November and December last year, the group, which pairs adults 55 and older with volunteer opportunities in communities, collected 10,000 plastic bags from the community and transformed them into the mats, which included a carrying strap and pillow. Volunteers flattened and folded the bags, cut them into strips and tied them together to form plastic year, which was woven into durable sleeping mats using looms.
“The mats provide a cushion between a person and a hard surface and because they are plastic, they can be reused even if they get wet,” Triton RSVP director Mario Porras shared via a news release. “We used every piece of the bag for this project. The pieces we couldn’t use, like the handles and bottoms of the bags, were used as pillow filling and to make the carrying straps for the mats.”
The project came about after a volunteer last year proposed making sleeping mats from recycled bags, allowing them to be recycled while helping people experiencing homelessness and allowing the volunteers to support their community.
Indian Head Park finds funds for senior lunches
With new financial support from the Lyons Township Mental Health Commission, the Village of Indian Head Park will be able to continue Senior Congregate Lunch & Learn, its monthly older adult luncheon program.
The free, nutritious meals and social gatherings, open to anyone who is older than 60, regardless of residence, are served from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at Village Hall, 201 Acacia Drive. Doors open at 1:15 p.m.
The program is funded by the federal Older Americans Act Title IIIC Nutrition Program, mental health commission and the village. “Good nutrition and social connection are essential to healthy aging, Desiree Scully, executive director of Aging Care Connections, shared in a news release. “This partnership lets us bring meals, companionship, and resources directly to where older adults feel welcome.”
Register by calling Aging Care Connections at 708-603-2277 or emailing AWN@agingcareconnections.org.
Birds of prey talk set in La Grange Park
A naturalist from the Little Red Schoolhouse in Willow Springs will talk about the vital role raptors play in the local ecosystem and where they can be found during a program at 10:30 a.m. July 25 in the Mary Lou Hurley Community Room at the La Grange Park Public Library, 555 N. La Grand Road.
Participants can dissect an owl/hawk pellet to discover what raptors eat. The program is for children 10 and adult, who must be with an adult. Registration is required at www.lplibrary.org/events2/raptors.
Field Park playground, splash pad getting facelift
The Park District of Oak Park closed the playground and splash pad at Field Park, 935 Woodbine Ave., for construction starting on July 17, although the north baseball field at the park was closed only on July 18.
A focus group of summer camp participants shared which equipment they liked the most and gave other ideas. The revamped area will include natural elements for playing, discovering and climbing. The old playground equipment will be given to Kids Around the World, according to the park district’s website.
Other splash pads can be found at Andersen Park or Fox Park during the construction project.
Literary dining planned at Book Loft in Oak Park
Those who would like to dine with their favorite fiction authors or surrounded by poetry are invited to Booked for Dinner, a literary dining experience, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 28 at Book Loft, in Oak Park.
The event, catered by Little Gem Oak Park, features a four-course dining experience and shared stories. Attendees may bring their own beverages. Tickets cost $75. Registration and menu options are found at thebookloftoakpark.com.
Society event features historic church turned home
The Sounds of Napa Valley concert and home tour will be featured from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 7 at 137 N. Kensington Ave. in La Grange.
Now the home of Marcus and Katherine Padgett, the Old Grace Lutheran Church will be open for a relaxing evening with the duo Kendra Grittani and Allie Simpson.
The Padgetts will give a tour of their home and share information and photos of the 2008 renovation that transformed the building into a unique living space.
Hors d’oeuvres and wine from Napa Valley round out the evening, which benefits the La Grange Historical Society. Tickets cost $45 per person and are sold at lagrangehistory.org or 708-482-4248.
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