LSC Meetings. Call the school or visit their website for information on in-person or virtual LSC meetings. John H. Vanderpoel Humanities Academy LSC, Tues., Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m., 773-535-2690, VHAElementary.org; Kellogg School LSC, Thurs., Dec. 3 and Jan. 7, 6 p.m., 773-535-2590, Kellogg.CPS.Edu; Barnard Elementary School LSC, Mon., Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m., 773-535-2625, Barnard.CPS.edu; Morgan Park High School LSC, Wed., Dec. 16, 6 p.m., 773-535-2550, MorganParkCPS.org.
Free Stores for Neighbors in Need. People in need of personal hygiene and first aid items, food supplies and connections to other resources are welcome at the community Free Stores. Hygiene and first aid products are available on the first and third Wednesdays, (Dec. 2 and 16), 4:30 to 6 p.m., BAPA Community Room, 11109 S. Longwood Dr. Emergency food distributions are Wednesdays, 4 to 6 p.m. Contact 19th Ward Mutual Aid for location. The free stores are hosted by 19th Ward Mutual Aid, Turpin Cares and BAPA.
Help Feed Hungry Neighbors. Support emergency food assistance for area neighbors by donating to the Maple/Morgan Park Food Pantry. Mail donations to the Maple Morgan Park Food Pantry, 11030 S. Longwood Dr., Chicago 60643.
Document Shredding. Document shredding for 19th Ward residents is set for Sat., Dec. 5, 9 to 11 a.m., Crosswinds Church, 10835 S. Pulaski. Free; open for 19th Ward residents only. Only loose documents with staples and binders removed can be accepted.
Castle Christmas Tree Sale. Just 100 Fraser Firs will be on sale in the parking lot at the Givins Beverly Castle, Beverly Unitarian Church, 10244 S. Longwood Dr., on the weekends of Dec. 5 and 6 and Dec. 12 and 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. New this year: order your tree online at www.beverlyunitarian.org; free delivery to homes in 60643.
St. John Fisher parish is holding a Holiday Grand Raffle tickets are $100 each, available at 773-445-6565, www.sjfschool.net and www.stjohnfisherparish.net. The drawing will be held Dec. 6 following 11 a.m. mass for 1st prize, $25,000, 2nd prizes, $5000 and 3rd prize, $2000.
Beverly/Morgan Park Coloring Books. Color Me Beverly II and Color Me Morgan Park, coloring books featuring local scenes and familiar buildings illustrated by Beverly/Morgan Park artist Judie Anderson and accompanied by text from Carol Flynn of the Ridge Historical Society, make wonderful holiday gifts. The books appeal to adults and children alike. They are unique collectors’ items that also offer fun-time activity. They easy to mail to friends and family who have moved away and are nostalgic for the old neighborhood. Books retails for $10 each and are available at Bookie’s, 10324 S. Western,, and Turkey gift shop, 9913 S. Walden Parkway, or by contacting Carol Flynn, cflynn2013@yahoo.com.
Toys for Tots Collection. Our House Wealth Advisors, 3838 W. 111th St., #110, is partnering with neighborhood leaders and businesses to support the Marine Toys for Tots charity drive through Dec. 9. Donations of unwrapped toys – NO stuffed animals – are appreciated; drop off at Our House Wealth Advisors. Businesses are invited to learn more about becoming a collection site by contacting Tony Michalek, 312-819-4200 or tony@ourhousewealth.com
Hats (and Scarfs) for the Homeless. Morgan Park United Methodist Church invites the community to join in knitting or crocheting hats and scarfs to be given to homeless shelters as part of church’s Advent Outreach Program. Items may be dropped off at the church, 11030 S. Longwood Dr., Thurs., Dec. 10 and Fri., Dec. 11, 12 to 5 p.m., and Sat., Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Info morganparkumc@wowway.com or 773-238-2600.
Donate Blood. 19th Ward Blood Drive, Sat., Dec. 12, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Brother Rice High School, north gym, 10001 S. Pulaski. Appointments required; use code CS01 at wwwsave3lives.org or 800-280-4102. Bring photo ID to appointment.
Take-Out Tuesdays. Take-Out Tuesdays is a great way to support neighborhood restaurants and have a chance to win a $20 Bucks Stop Here gift card. Participation is easy: Order take-out or delivery food from a 19th Ward restaurant on Tuesdays through Dec. 15, post a picture of your meal on social media tagging Matt O’Shea and the restaurant from which you ordered. Posts will be entered in the drawing and winners will be pulled every Friday.
Super Raffle. Businesses in the 19th Ward will benefit from proceeds from the new Super Raffle, and people who buy tickets have a chance to win a new Ford Escape S or $15,000 in cash. Raffle tickets are $10 each. The 2nd prize is $5000 and free pizza for a year from S&T Provisions, and 3rd, 4th and 5th prize winners will each receive $100 gift cards for each of 39 participating businesses. Buy raffle tickets www.the19thward.com through Dec. 20. Drawing is Dec. 22. Info kelly@the19thward.com.
