Don't Miss the Community Awareness Fair

Wondering what's going on in and around Oak Forest? Check out our daily look at what you should be watching out for each day and the entire week.

Join the Oak Forest-Crestwood Area Chamber of Commerce for its 33rd Annual Community Awareness Fair Saturday, Oct. 19. It's a free event which showcases business, organizations and groups in the local area. Take in local entertainment, mini-farmers market, food court, prizes, and plenty of giveaways, too! Feeling generous? Donate during the Oak Forest Rotary sponsored blood drive. Need a flu shot? It's a one-stop shop—Walgreens flu shots will be available. The fair will take place at Oak Forest High School, with doors opening at 10 a.m. For more information, go to www.oc-chamber.org. 

What Else to Watch for This Week

ALL WEEK
Help Aurelio's, Help Advocate Children's Hospital: From Oct. 13–19, Aurelio’s Pizza will donate a percentage of proceeds for all dine-in, carry-out, delivery and online food and drink purchases chainwide to Advocate Children’s Hospital. as part of its annual October fundraising campaign. There’s no additional purchase, nothing to think about—just dine in, carry out or order online or for delivery and you’re helping Advocate. Find more info. 

TUESDAY, OCT. 15
Salute to the Armed Forces: If you wore the uniform, Cook County Commissioner Joan Patricia Murphy is looking for you. Murphy heads up the 3rd annual "Salute to the Armed Forces," to be held at the Double Tree by Hilton in Alsip Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. All branches of service men and women will be honored with a free patriotic celebration, for serving their county in war time and peace time with pride and dedication. Retired Col. Jill Morgenthalers will serve as the Keynote speaker. Registration is required. Call the Office of Cook County Commissioner Joan Patricia Murphy at 708-389-2125 for more information or to register. Find more info. 
Chicago Southland Job Hunters Network, 9:30 a.m: It's time to develop a more defined representation of yourself; one that reflects the 'who you are' and 'where you are' in your career. Get in on the group's monthly meeting. Find out more info. 

Illinois Green Business Gathering: The 2nd Annual Illinois Green Business Summit, “Ingredients for Change” will take place October 15th 2013 from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Tinley Park Convention Center. 

Hear from Keynote L. Hunter Lovins and learn effective strategies, practices and equipment for implementation beyond the low-hanging fruit for greening your organization. There will be a lunch panel that features corporate sustainability leaders from Office Depot, The Centre for Sustainability Excellence, and Caterpillar. Hear the “how” and learn new strategies, be a leader in green business, and network with organizations throughout Illinois. Find out more. 

THURSDAY, OCT. 17
Pick a Pumpkin at Faith United: Faith United Presbyterian Church is trying its hand at the pumpkin trade. From Oct. 17–31, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (dusk) pick a pumpkin for $3 and up (depending on the size of the pumpkin). Enjoy apple cider, snacks and fall decorations during the week. Fridays through Sundays there will be extra activities to entertain children, including a Bounce House, a maze, and a crafts activity table. There will be settings available for photo opportunities, too. The pumpkin patch is a fundraiser to help many of the church's ministries, provide camp scholarships and more. Find out more info. 
SATURDAY, OCT. 19
'Black and Boo' Halloween Party Fundraiser for Local Animal Rescue: Enjoy dancing, raffles, a costume contest, door prizes, dinner buffet, and premium drinks at Durbin's in Tinley Park, from 7 to 11 p.m. $45 per adult ticket benefits the animals. Get more info and buy ticket. 

All month: Jean Therapy in Orland Park is holding a month-long jean drive to help stock Neat Repeats, the resale store operated by the Crisis Center of South Suburbia. People who bring in a pair of jeans to the store throughout October will get $15 off a purchase, and the jeans will all be donated to the Crisis Center of South Suburbia. The non-profit supporting battered women and families in need runs the Neat Repeats resale store, where the donated jeans will be sold. 

Check out Oak Forest Patch's Events Calendar to find out what else is going on and to add your own activities to the mix.