Special Olympians to be grand marshals at holiday parade
Special Olympians from the Naperville area will be the honored grand marshals for the 2024 Parade of Lights, the Rotary Club of Naperville announced.
They will be joined by Mayor Scott Wehrli and his family, a news release said.
“During the Paris Olympics, there was a lot of coverage of athletes who were Naperville natives,” club President Jacque Clermont said in the release. “The Rotary Club of Naperville decided to celebrate our local Special Olympians, who also make us proud of our hometown.”
The parade will take place at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 in downtown Naperville. It features brightly lit floats, including one with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Residents can enter to win a ride on Santa’s float through the Rotary’s Santa Experience Raffle. Tickets are $10 each and can be bought at www.napervillerotaryparade.org.
Another raffle prize includes a chance to watch the parade from reserved seats on the broadcast stage at Jackson and Webster streets.
Proceeds from the parade benefit local nonprofit organizations.
Church program offered to help people handle holiday grief
St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Naperville plans to host a program on how to cope with grief during the holidays at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6.
The featured speaker is Paula Kosin, a certified grief educator, licensed counselor and facilitator of the educational grief support groups at the church, a news release said.
Kosin, author of the book, “Grieving: A Spiritual Process for Catholics,” will talk about the challenges holidays can pose and share ideas how to plan ahead, choose meaningful activities and honor your loved ones, the release said.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required by calling Annette Kubalanza at 630-355-8980, Ext. 124, by Monday, Nov. 4.
Sign-up for Santa’s Workshop, Hotline starts next week
Registration opens at noon Tuesday, Oct. 22, for residents who want to visit Santa’s Naperville Workshop and/or call Santa’s Hotline, both of which are offered in December by the Naperville Park District.
Nonresidents can sign up at noon Thursday, Oct. 24.
Santa’s Workshop gives families the opportunity to chat and take photos with Santa from Dec. 2 through Dec. 22 at the Paddleboat Quarry Rentals, 441 Aurora Ave. Reservations are required and the cost is $10 per family for residents, $15 per family for nonresidents, a park district news release said.
Several special nights are offered as part of the workshop, including Pet Night on Dec. 3; Special Needs Nights on Dec. 4 and 5; and Military and First Responders Night on Dec. 11.
Registration also starts Tuesday for Santa’s Hotline through which children can receive a personalized phone call from Santa or Mrs. Claus. The calls are free, and will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4. A limited number of call times are available.
To sign up, go to www.napervilleparks.org/santasworkshop or www.napervilleparks.org/santashotline.
Naperville Responds For Veterans to host annual fundraiser
Naperville Responds For Veterans will it annual “Cheers for Veterans” gala from 6 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at Bobak’s Signature Events, 6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge.
Officials with the nonprofit organization said money raised from the event will help local veterans make home repairs and do remodeling work to accommodate health issues or disabilities.
The 14th annual event features food, an open bar, a live auction and a paddle raise. Marine veteran Lynn Lowder, owner of Rosie’s Home Cookin’, will be the keynote speaker.
Tickets are available for $200 per person or $1,800 for a table of 10 at www.napervilleresponds.org.
