“The Herald Angels campaign has been in existence for nearly 30 years, and we are proud that we set another record in 2025,” Steve Vanisko, publisher of The Herald-News.

Three aspiring trades professionals received life-changing support as Vehicles for Change, with support from Constellation, awarded vehicles to candidates identified through HIRE360, Chicago Women in Trades, and Richland Community College’s, pre-apprenticeship and workforce devel

Karen Nall, executive director of United Way of Grundy County, said she “looks forward to our continued partnership and this unique opportunity for years to come.”

Rock Falls Rotary donated $250 to two different organizations that helped out the community during the holidays.

January is the last month to participate in the 4-H Cares Project. The Ogle County 4-H is still collecting items until Jan. 30.

Over 40 organizations across Bureau County gathered for a group photo during a Lending a Hand funds distribution of checks totaling $200,000 on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 at the Closet in Princeton. The Closet has donated 2.3 million dollars to area organizations over the past 16 years.

The women who attended the quarterly meeting of 100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County on Thursday, Jan. 15, had a choice to make in deciding who should receive an $11,800 charitable donation.

For the second consecutive year, Hands On Oregon donated $2,000 to the Oregon High School Transitions program.

The Tau Pi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi offers its support to the April House Children’s Advocacy Center by donating snacks for the children who have come to April House as part of a child abuse investigation.

The Sauk Valley Diversity Alliance plays host to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace and Justice Celebration on Sunday, Jan. 18, at Open Door Community Church in Sterling.

A Dec. 28 windstorm wasn’t strong enough to defeat the Sterling community’s giving spirit - or one family’s determination to keep the giving going.

College of Lake County has received a transformational $6.065 million gift from Schreiber Philanthropy.

The children are collecting donations for a “Joy to the World” Basket from Heifer International.

The top item on the wishlist for Twin Cities Homeless Shelter is available just a few minutes’ drive from the shelter. “Right now, what I’d really like, and they are on sale at Menards, are those 27-gallon storage totes,” shelter director Myles Newberry said.

Fulton Presbyterian Church will play host to its annual fundraiser for Mission Starfish Haiti at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1.

When most people have put away the Christmas decorations, wrapping paper and ribbons, the director of the Whiteside County Toys for Tots program already is thinking about Christmas shopping.

Sauk Valley Community College’s Impact Program has announced a 3-year, $15,000 pledge from The First National Bank in Amboy.

Seven mothers and their children ages 0 to 5 – and one apartment manager – will live in the apartment building as the mothers receive treatment for substance abuse

Woodlawn Arts Academy students will be showing off their theater and music skills this winter, with performances of “Mary Poppins Jr.” and winter music recitals both set for January.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office K9 Hemi will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s Inc.

Lake County communities responded in outstanding fashion to the 2025 “Coats for Vets” campaign sponsored by Libertyville Sunrise Rotary and Zengeler Cleaners.

Mothers Trust Foundation of Lake Forest will host prom dress distribution activities on March 5, 6 and 7 at the University Center of Lake County, with continuing educational opportunities, career counseling and financial aid info provided by the College of Lake County.

The Ogle County Democrats recently celebrated with a fundraiser and canned food collection drive in December.

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation recently announced Yazmin Nambo as its 2026 board president.

The Salvation Army encourages Illinoisans to consider post-holiday giving. “As the year comes to a close, the need in our communities does not,” said Lt. Colonel Jonathan Rich,

On Dec. 18, the pantry served 622 families as part of its Christmas distribution.

The Morrison Department of Fun recently made a donation to Pink Heals of Sauk Valley. The donation comes from the Boobie Bus Fundraiser that took place in October.

This Christmas morning, hundreds of children in Lake County will wake up to toys under their trees thanks to the generosity of a Facebook community that turns local residents into Secret Santas.

The GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment is pleased to announce that it has made a $10,000 donation to the Lake County Community Foundation’s Community Crisis Relief Fund.

This year, the Plainfield Lions assisted 192 families and more than 1,000 people in the Plainfield area with $61,500 in Jewel gift cards.

The Salvation Army Kankakee has collected 36% of its $75,000 goal in the annual Red Kettle campaign.

The month-long initiative took place from Oct. 24 through Nov. 24 at both the Bank’s Main Branch in Morris and its Wilmington Branch.

The $500 donation will be used to purchase meat, produce and dairy to give to those in need in the local community.

Jill Egan, managing broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago North Region offices, is pleased to announce that the Libertyville office donated 130 Thanksgiving meals to Lake County residents in need on Nov. 25.

The Plano Methodist Church collected over 125 items to be donated to the Kendall County Food Pantry.

Santa delivered gifts to over 120 kids through the through Blue and Red Christmas for Kids in Peru. The Christmas program was established in 2013 by the Peru police and fire departments. It donates more than gifts to children in need.

Now the FIT Foundation – a meal prep company is seeking donations for Christmas dinners for Joliet and Crest Hill police officers who are working on Christmas Day.

April House's mission is to make sure children who have suffered abuse are heard, protected, and given a path toward justice and healing.

Through community support, Culver’s of Rock Falls donated over $1,700 to the local Whiteside County Honor Flight to support their next flight to Washington, D.C.

There are three days left to donate to the United Way’s “Home for the Holidays” drive.

These devices can detect and alert the officer using them of the presence of card skimming apparatus, which are used to steal credit and debit card information.

“We have a community that is working hard – and many are working multiple jobs – to make ends meet. But it’s still not enough,“ said Sarah Oprzedek, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Will County.

The United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties has been hard at work addressing the area’s housing needs.

The drive-thru event runs from 4-5:30 p.m. at Romeoville Village Hall parking lot, 1050 W. Rodeo Road.

Each year since 2007, Westyn Genens's parents celebrated Westyn’s short life with an annual holiday toy drive for Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn.

The community is encouraged to donate new or gently used coats, hats, gloves and scarves for distribution to residents who need them most.

While wanting to help is commendable, it’s important to prioritize food safety. Those relying on food pantries often face higher risks of severe illness due to chronic health conditions, age or other factors.

This is the third year United Way of Grundy County is participating in the Herald Angels campaign.

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation recently announced the results of its 2025 Giving Tuesday campaign, raising a total of $27,800 to support community programs and charitable funds throughout Rochelle and the surrounding area.

A group of Logical Position employees recently delivered a $4,000 check to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. This contribution will help provide roughly 133 meals and support more than 1,000 people across Lake County.