Thursday, February 21, 2013
Swing by Oak Forest City Hall and drop off your kid's old school supplies to effortlessly make a difference in the lives of countless impoverished African children.
Oak Forest’s own Janet LaVelle wants to make a difference. The vibrant, longtime community member and dedicated volunteer has taken on a new cause: a school supply drive for impoverished children in Niger, Africa. LaVelle, 76, been working in cooperation with Frankfort businessman John Shattuck, who has experience organizing donation drives like this before. No donation—whether it’s half-used crayons or semi-full notebooks—is too small. "What ends up in landfills here will be treasured over there, where they have nothing," he recently told the Sun-Times Media. If you’d like to donate, feel free to swing by the donation box. It’s located in the lobby of City Hall. All proceeds will be sent to Niger through the Munster-based non-profit …
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Patch spotlights videos that give you a different look at the community, past and present. This week, we feature employees and volunteers from Together We Cope sharing the holiday spirit.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Joe Vince
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Sunday, December 16, 2012
Village Videos features videos from Patch, from around the web and from readers that showcase Tinley Park. Want your video featured? Upload it to our Neighborhood Gallery and email me at joev@patch.com to say you want to see it in Village Videos. Employees and volunteers from Together We Cope got to play the role of Santa early this year, handing out donated Christmas gifts last week to families in need as part of the nonprofit's Adopt a Child program. READ: Together We Cope Provides Christmas for Needy Kids This year, the program had 1,800 children from needy families, up from last year's 1,300. People and organizations have "adopted" these kids, donating gifts that Together We Cope gathered together in gift bags. Although the program is …
41.58222
-87.78461
Together We Cope
17010 Oak Park Ave, Tinley Park, IL
/articles/village-videos-kids-get-a-bit-of-christmas-early-thanks-to-nonprofit-group
1988977
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Tuesday, July 31, 2012
After 10 years and $1 million raised, Orland Park resident Mary Doody marks end of charity walk in daughter's name.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Jeff Vorva
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Tuesday, July 31, 2012
It was a nice symmetry that the first person to cross the finish line of the 10th and final Friday for Julie Walk was a 10-year-old. The two-mile walk, held Friday night in the Village Hall and Civic Center area in Orland Park, is not a competition, but 10-year-old Dylan Glas of Oak Forest decided to run most of the way and when he was told he was the first to finish, he raised both arms and said “Yes!” over his accomplishment. Event organizer Mary Doody, whose daughter, Julie, died of leukemia July 24, 2002, started the walk in Julie’s honor in 2003 and in 10 years, it has raised more than $1 million for research and to help families of people suffering from leukemia and other forms of blood cancer. Mary Doody said that the For Julie …
Friday, April 20, 2012
This is the fourth year for the hockey game that started among friends.
A hockey game to help under-privileged young athletes will hit the ice this weekend in Orland Park. The fourth annual Charity Puck-Off Hockey Game starts at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Arctic Ice Arena, 10700 160th St. What started as a group of friends looking for something to do on a Saturday night has grown, according to organizers. Two teams, which include Oak Forest residents, will face off for three, 24-minute periods. Stay on top of all the news by following Orland Park Patch on Facebook and Oak Forest Patch on Facebook! Last year, the Puck-Off raised enough money to sponsor 1 1/2 youth hockey players for a year of play, according to event organizers. The charity event also teamed up with the St. Jude Youth Hockey Program for the Puck-…
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A foundation formed in the name of late Orland Park resident Flo Vanderpool recently donated $11,000 to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Lauren Traut
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Floridamae "Flo" Vanderpool lived in Orland Park most of her life, and spent years seeing the world with her sister Lois by her side. The two visited almost every continent, and each brought back a souvenir from their explorations—often the same souvenir. When Vanderpool passed away in 2008, she left every trinket, her entire estate and her personal fortune in the hands of her investment advisor and good family friend Gary Bertacchi. She asked that Bertacchi keep her charity foundation, the Cord-Vanderpool Foundation, up and running, sharing her wealth with those in need. On Dec. 19, Bertacchi dropped off a $6,000 check made out to the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, an Orland Park-based charity that delivers toys into the …
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
if you have the spirit of volunteerism this holiday season, Patch has some suggestions for you.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
- Bob Bong
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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
After compiling your long holiday wish list for Santa and figuring out how many pricey gifts you can afford for friends and family, you may want to think of ways to give to the less fortunate. Patch has done all the research and has come up with ways Oak Forest residents can either donate time, items or money to local charities. Today, we fill you in on ways you can serve others or give some of your time. Who's in charge? Dawn Thrasher. 708-754-4357 What can I give? Services as a cook or chauffeur; gift cards When can I give? Every day, Christmas day Where do I go? 414 W. Lincoln Highway, Chicago Heights Dawn Thrasher of South Suburban PADS, said she's looking for people to provide desserts, side dishes and beverages on …
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Pam Erickson, wife of OF Raiders Coach Scott Erickson, set out on a 50-mile mission to collect 3,000 food items for Together We Cope—and she did it.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Lauren Traut
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Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Pam Erickson has been recognized as Greatest Person of the Day on Huffington Post, a feature that spotlights ordinary and extraordinary people in Patch communities whose acts of courage, determination, volunteerism and compassion have made a difference in their towns. These are people who inspire and energize others to strengthen their communities and improve lives. Pam Erickson is "just that competitive." She once ran a 50-mile trail race in Michigan, during which the man running beside her mentioned he had solicited food donations from supporters prior to the race to donate to a local food pantry. He had collected 3,000 items. "I thought, 'I want to raise 3,001.' Just one more than him," she said, laughing. Well, she surpassed her goal, …
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Benefit, arts, entertainment, family friendly and government events happening this weekend, Sept. 29 - Oct. 2, in the Orland, Palos, Tinley and Oak Forest area.
The perfect weekend activity can be just as difficult to find as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster or a Chicago highway without traffic. Have faith! Patch has come to the rescue with the best bets for the weekend. So, set aside that low-quality video camera, put down your fishing rod and discover the weekend. For the Love of Liz - Benefit for Elizabeth Corley Friday, September 30, 7pm | 115 Bourbon Street Help Elizabeth Corley as she battles brain tumors and their side effects while trying to care for a daughter. Tickets include food, wine, beer and entertainment, and are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. JEWEL-OSCO's "Give a Little, Feed a Lot" Food Drive Daily Until September 30, All Day | Jewel Osco "Give a Little, Feed a Lot" in Jewel-…
Friday, August 26, 2011
Whatever the effect of the recent recession, four local nonprofits say they're committed to their missions and their future place in the community.
- VOLUNTEERS IN THE NEWS
- Jesse Marx
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Friday, August 26, 2011
Giving USA Foundation, a consulting group headquartered in Chicago, reported this summer that after years of significant decline charitable giving rose nationally by almost 4 percent in 2010, a sure sign that charity "remains a central part of the American fabric." But the news wasn’t all good. In inflation-adjusted dollars, donations to individuals and human service foundations fell slightly on a national level. The latter point is one that some local nonprofits, particularly The Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park, better understand. “It seems like everyone is just kind of tightening their belt,” said Rob Steinmetz, the organization’s marketing director and co-founder. “Whether it (is) an individual or foundations or companies, they're …
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Nightlife, festivals, charitable and kid friendly events are happening this weekend, August 4-7, in the Orland, Palos, Tinley and Oak Forest areas.
Just like when searching for the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, finding something do for the weekend takes a little digging. Fortunately, Patch has already done the dirty work for you. So, put down your shovel, lay aside the brushes and return that excavator - this weekend's events have been unearthed and classified. Taste of Orland Park Friday August 5, 5-11pm | Orland Park Civic Center Saturday, August 6, 1-11pm Sunday, August 7, 1-9 Enjoy music, kid-friendly activities, and great food from local resturarts in this weekend long event. Admission is free. Movie Night: Rango Saturday August 6, 6:30pm–8:30pm | Christ Community Church Bring a blanket and your favorite stuffed animal - it's movie night! Enjoy free …
Tamarack
3:04 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
That little boy was so sweet...absolutely precious. Thank you, volunteers. more ›