Give DeKalb County, an annual 24-hour fundraiser supporting more than 100 area nonprofits and service organizations, returns for the 12th year on Thursday. Over the years, more than 170 local nonprofits have benefited from more than $12.8 million. Here's how you can give:

The Coal City Middle School band will bring an original story of an underwater village to musical life during its concert on Thursday. Annabelle, 9, Beedle, and her sister Abigail Beedle, 5, who both have a rare incurable condition, created the story.

The Sip & Thrift Sale, where every item is just $3 or less, will be Friday and Saturday, May 8-9, at Joliet West High School, 401 N. Larkin Ave.

The 58th annual Charlemagne Awards were presented by the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce, with the highest honor bestowed on an educator who has mentored generations of young people.

CASA Kane County plans to close on a property in June that will be its permanent new home after moving out of the Kane County Courthouse office in Geneva.

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation awarded just over $150,000 on April 29 through its competitive grant process to local nonprofit organizations.

Meals on Wheels for Northern Illinois delivers more than 1.1 million meals annually to older adults across suburban Cook, Grundy, Kendall, and Will counties, the organization said.

Since 2022, Safe Passage’s sexual assault response program has helped 1,388 adult survivors and 482 child survivors, staff said. In 2025, Safe Passage provided 4,417 nights of shelter for adults and 1,982 nights for children.

The walk will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday at Drauden Point Middle School, 1911 Drauden Road, Plainfield. The cost is $10 day of the event or $5 if you register by Friday.

Celebrating 10 years of giving back, joggers assembled along the Fox River in downtown Yorkville, participating in a 5K run to show those experiencing child abuse that they are not in their fight alone.

The St. Charles Business Alliance announced the winners of the 2026 St. Patrick’s Parade. Amidst falling snowflakes, around 31,200 spectators lined Main Street on March 14 to the parading tunes of bagpipers, high school marching bands and Celtic-themed floats.

Representing Yorkville, 12-year old Olivia Madden and 9-year old Keegan Harris each won their respective age-group at the annual Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.

In an exclusive interview with Shaw Local. the Woodstock gas station clerk who was attacked on New Year's Eve shares how it shattered her life and says she's been given no help by the gas station owners.

A “Hands Around The City” event to observe Child Abuse Awareness Month was held April 17 at Rochelle City Hall.

Bloom Lockport and the Lockport Township Park District are the latest Will County community organizations to launch a community garden initiative, designed to help residents grow their own produce.

Liquor ‘n’ Wine in Rochelle presented a $2,500 donation April 21 to the Rochelle Area Community Foundation as part of a 10-year, $25,000 total pledge to support Rochelle-area nonprofits and organizations.

A benefit sale for the Chana School Museum will be held May 29-30. The location of the sale is at the Oregon Coliseum, located at the corner of Fourth Street and Franklin Street in downtown Oregon.

Proceeds from the annual Childerguild Ball, gift shop sales and club donations made the donation to the New Lenox hospital possible.

Over 100 seventh grade students from Byron Middle School recently completed a community service project.

As housing prices continue to rise, the city of St. Charles has plans to provide stable housing options for residents struggling to get by. The city has partnered with Lazarus House on a 10-year program.

Runners will soon hit the streets of downtown Geneva for a 5K to raise funds to help around 200 children receive a better education in Haiti.

Floyd J. Tilton VFW Post 3878 of Rochelle presented a $2,500 check April 13 to the David Crawford Foundation.

Earthrise, the energy company currently working to establish thousands of acres of solar farms in Will County, has provided a $15,000 grant for the Will County chapter of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

TriCity Family Services will partner with Adventures in Scavenger Hunting founder Jessica Shockey to hold a “Search Party: A Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser” for adults ages 18 and older to support local mental health services.

Research!America, a nonprofit alliance that advocates for science, discovery and innovation to achieve better health for all, is pleased to announce its selection of Russ Paulsen as its next president and chief executive officer, effective May 4.

Fox Valley's Preservation Partners guided restoration of Nelle Fabyan dress, touted as the only one by French designer Georges Doeuillet to be displayed in public anywhere in the world.

About 50 people filled the rotunda at the Kane County Courthouse in Geneva Thursday for the 23rd annual recognition that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Batavia Woman’s Club is accepting scholarship applications for middle school students to attend to attend a STEAM summer camp.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The annual gathering honors children whose lives are impacted by abuse and neglect. It also celebrates the CASA Kendall advocates

The fifth annual Art Dash benefiting Serenity Hospice and Home was held April 8 at River’s Edge Experience, drawing more than 200 attendees for an evening of art, community and philanthropy.

Sterling Main Street is excited to kick off a season of engines, entertainment and community connection with the Sterling Main Street Car Show on Sunday, May 3, at the Sterling Marketplace in the city’s downtown.

Step into the spotlight for an evening inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood at the 2026 McConnell Ball Saturday in Richmond.

The home of a Kendall County nonprofit that specializes in giving foster kids a second chance is getting a second life itself with substantial renovations.

Kathleen Narusis rose up the ranks at Home State Bank in Crystal Lake at a time when it less common for women to get such opportunities. She's one of the Northwest Herald's Women of Distinction recipients.

For nearly 30 years, Moms of McHenry County have been saving other moms money via its semiannual KidsStuff Resale event. The next sale is coming up this month.

“This incredible outpouring of support truly reflects the strength and compassion of our community,” said Deb Condotti, President/CEO of Easterseals Joliet Region.

Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center will be opening an expanded office in Oregon, Executive Director Jessica Cash said.

Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center serves about 300 potential victims of child abuse in Ogle and Lee counties each year. The nonprofit organization has been in operation since 2002 and has worked with over 3,500 children.

A local plastic bottle cap recycling program has reached milestones of 6,584 pounds of caps collected and 31 items installed locally after being made from the recycled plastic, Dennis Swinton of the Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K Club said March 26.

Sunflower Park playground in Yorkville is undergoing a massive rebuild, bringing some first-in-the-city inclusive play features designed to inspire children and break down barriers. The refurbished equipment is being donated to bring joy to kids across the world.

HOPE of Ogle County and Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center will host a Shining Hope luncheon Thursday, May 21.

The Prairie Preservation Society of Ogle County will be hosting its annual spring banquet on Sunday, April 19 at Stronghold Center, Oregon.

An Ogle County “Hands Around the City” event for Child Abuse Awareness Month in April will be Friday, April 17, on the Rochelle City Hall lawn.

The St. Charles Public Library Foundation will hold its annual 2026 Golf Gala After Hours to support the foundation and its mission to enhance the library’s programs and services.

First Lutheran Church’s Social Ministry Team will hold a steak dinner fundraiser on April 9 in partnership with Hy-Vee to support local charities.

CASA of McHenry County, whose volunteers work as court-appointed special advocates for children in the foster care and court systems, has marked 20 years of work on behalf of kids in need.

This event is The Conservation Foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year and features dinner, a silent auction and live entertainment.

Around 175 people plunged into the icy Fox River in St. Charles to help raise money for the Special Olympics Illinois. The team was comprised of members of the St. Charles Police Department, the St. Charles Fire Department, residents and city staff.

Crystal Lake-based Read with a Buddy nonprofit continues to grow with more donation boxes and events to spark to love of childhood reading. It was started by a retired teacher.

The Rochelle Community Hospital Foundation and the Rochelle Area Community Foundation on March 10 announced the establishment of a new Community Cancer Resources fund.