Brian Skraba, 39, a Marine veteran who served from 2004 to 2008 – including one deployment to Iraq – is currently working on his doctorate in nursing.

Rabbi Jenny Steinberg-Martinez succeeded Paul Lauridsen as Stepping Stones new executive director, according to a news release from Stepping Stones.

Options & Advocacy, a Crystal Lake nonprofit that helps people with autism and other disabilities hosts a fundraising gala on Nov. 15 in Lake in the Hills.

Nicor Gas, in partnership with the nonprofit group Operation Warm, distributed winter coats to every student at T.E. Culbertson Elementary School in Joliet on Friday.

The online application goes live on Saturday, November 15, visit cffrv.org to access the scholarship application.

Family Service Agency of DeKalb County announced its plans to host Community Shoe Box, a charity organization that aims to provide a space to collect and give away shoes for those in need.

100 Women Who Care of Will County held its big check presentation on Oct. 29 for Team Nicholas, a group working to provide hospitalized children with gifts year round.

The inaugural Ogle County K-9 Fund Bark and Whine Ball was held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, at the River’s Edge Experience in Oregon and raised $34,000 for the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Deputy Ali VanVickle said.

McHenry County nonprofit organization leaders are expressing fears of increasing demand, lack of housing affordability and childcare services in the area as the federal government cuts SNAP and Medicaid benefits.

McHenry County food pantries are trying to stock up as much as they can and are reporting that as the need has increased, so too have donations. But uncertainty over SNAP benefits remains.

Donors, volunteers and clients made for a busy day at the Woodstock Food Pantry Friday. Many awaited a judge's ruling on whether SNAP food stamp benefits would continue during the government shutdown.

The Yorkville Knights of Columbus Council earned the distinction of “Star Council,” the international organization’s top award for their embodiment to the organization’s motto “In service to one, in service to all,” and for their dedication to service-oriented activities.

Mike Domek started TicketsNow.com, sold it to Ticketmaster and, with his earnings, founded Bunker Hill Farms near Woodstock to raise millions for charity. With his death in June, the resort is shutting down.

The Hansen Halloween House is back for another year of family-friendly fun. The free event will take place at 1021 Fourth Ave., Rochelle, from 5-9 p.m. on the days leading up to Halloween and from 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

The Village of Progress held its annual banquet Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, at St. Mary’s Parish Center in Oregon. Eight VOP consumers and volunteers were presented with awards during the festivities.

Coats will be available in toddler sizes, boys and girl sizes XS to XL as well as adult women’s sizes.

The Tinsel & ‘Tinis 2025 event will include after-hours shopping at the Joliet ReStore along with raffles and merchandise vendors.

The Joliet Noon Lions are collecting items for Cornerstone Services group homes.

Rochelle's Floyd J. Tilton VFW Post 3878 received a $1,000 donation from CHS on Oct. 13, 2025, to help pay for a new camera system.

This year, our Giving Tree will support the Recovery Community Center of Joliet (RCCJ), an organization dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by addiction find healing, stability, and hope.

The store’s last day of service was Oct. 3, according to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Joliet Council thrift stores website.

Romeoville Fire Department K-9 Roy soon will receive a bullet- and stab-protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from the nonprofit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.

The collection event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday at the County Office Building, 302 N. Chicago St., in Joliet.

The main feature of The Silver Lining Event in Joliet is an auction of “artfully transformed vintage undergarments,” created by 11 artists,

The Lightways Hospice Guild in Joliet is offering a holiday-themed program with the luncheon.

A long-time Yorkville tradition is returning this weekend at the Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ. Sale held Friday and Saturday.

Creston-Dement Library recently hosted 100+ Women Who Care of Ogle County for their quarterly October meeting.

After this year’s record-breaking Yortktoberfest, organizer Jason Pesola said the Kiwanis Club of Yorkville might have to establish an extra grant because so much money was raised for scholarships.

Prairie Brome Solar is proud to announce the third-quarter recipients of its Community Grant Program, recognizing outstanding organizations making a meaningful difference across Lee County. Five local nonprofits have been awarded a total of $10,000 to support their work.

Volunteers from Joliet-area nonprofits were recently honored by the Arkas Restaurant Group’s second annual Joliet Philanthropy Recognition Awards Brunch.

After raising a total of $36,540 for various local nonprofits over eight events since its inception in 2023, Small Business Bingo will return to Rochelle with two events in November and December, event organizer and AP Massage Therapy owner Ashley Patrick said Oct. 13, 2025.

Family Service Agency of DeKalb County leaders announced this week plans to open the county’s first homeless and transitional living shelter for area youth.

Two Small Business Bingo events will be held this year at Flight Deck Bar & Grill at 1207 W. Gurler Road in Rochelle to benefit area nonprofits.

The Plano Food Pantry is offering free food pick-up on Oct. 17 at the First Lutheran Church in Plano.

The Rochelle Police and Fire departments squared off in a Battle of the Badges charity volleyball game at Flight Deck Bar & Grill on Oct. 4, 2025. The event raised $1,100 that was donated to Focus House.

Sharlyn Grace, the deputy public defender for policy at the Cook County Public Defenders' Office, noted that ICE has not coordinated with court authorities, especially in cases where immigrants have been detained while at court on other business.

Dozens came together Monday in DeKalb to create a safe space for those impacted by domestic violence at Safe Passage’s annual domestic violence candlelight vigil. Among locals remembered were Sycamore couple Holly Schmidt and Gary Schmidt.

The Plano Methodist Church is participating in this year’s Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.

The Rochelle Christian Food Pantry at 770 Lincoln Ave. set a record for families served in August 2025, RCFP Board Member Cal Jacobs said Sept. 25, 2025.

Though fall’s only arrived, a St. Charles nonprofit is on the lookout ahead of the Christmas season for Santa’s helpers to help shop for gifts for area schoolchildren and families facing financial hardship. Volunteers should sign up by Oct. 15.

The Byron Women’s Club invites you to join in the fun Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 for Fiesta Nachos & Bingo.

The Rochelle Rotary Club presented a $3,500 donation to the Rochelle Community Action Network on Sept. 23, 2025.

Mayor Cohen Barnes said this week that the city is considering expanding its local support for networks and groups that help those facing homelessness in DeKalb. Homelessness, including among youth, is on the rise across Illinois, data shows.

Rochelle Foods presented a donation of $5,000 to the Rochelle Area Community Foundation on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025.

CASA Kane County will host an event in October meant to drive systemic child welfare reform, featuring youth advocate speaker Joshua Wayne.

Paul Dickerson is hosting a “Yes, Together We Can” informational and fundraising event from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa St. in Joliet.

Hollywood Casino will give away $60,000 to local nonprofit; already has distributed $155,000.

Participants will enjoy an evening of dining at Tom Kelly’s Chophouse, Gatto’s Italian Restaurant and Bar, Hog Wild and JBD White Horse Inn in New Lenox area.

Approximately 2,500 deliveries are made each month throughout the 13 counties as a result of the Northern Illinois Food Bank's partnership with Project Dash – and 1,000 of them are in Will County,

The funding from the Nature Foundation of Will County’s will support the forest preserve district's preservation, conservation, education and recreation priorities.