Park Forest students get new holiday cuts for free
Several barbers from Phipps Academy of Barbering in Richton Park recently donated their services to students at nearby Illinois School in Park Forest, which serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
It’s the third year the barbers have donated their talent and time to provide free haircuts in the school’s gym to students who signed up for the service.
“This wonderful act of kindness will help our families and make our students feel great as we enter into the holiday season,” Principal Shernita Mays shared in a news release. She added that the school has committed to showing kindness to its families and the community by providing haircuts and collecting hats and mittens to donate to those in need.
Micro pantry opens at Green Hills library
Residents who need a little extra help will find it at the new micro pantry at the entrance of the Green Hills Public Library, 1-331 S. Interlochen Drive, Palos Hills.
It provides household cleaning items, baby products, nonperishable food and personal care products. It’s accessible 24 hours a day every day of the week, allowing people to take items and others to donate them.
Library Director Jane Jenkins said she’s already seeing it make a difference since it was installed in early October. “The community has been incredibly generous in their donations, and we’re seeing a quick turnover in items,” she said in a news release, adding that she was inspired to provide one “because I wanted to be part of a movement that empowers communities to support one another.”
Those who want to donate but aren’t sure what items to buy may make a monetary contribution and library staff will buy items in demand. Information is at www.greenhillslibrary.org/?s=micropantry.
OLCHS student council completes food drive
Staff and students at Oak Lawn Community High School received donations of canned goods, paper products and grocery gift cards during the Student Council’s annual Thanksgiving food drive.
In addition, students who participated in November’s Student Leadership Conference donated carts of canned goods, and the school district’s business office, dean’s office and nurses office also gave items.
Winning the council’s handmade Turkey Chalice award was English and fine arts teacher Eric Kallenborn. It’s become a tradition because his classes have earned the award every year since 2021. The donations were given to the food pantries at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Burbank and Faith Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn.
Artists invited to submit work for Chicago Heights gallery
Union Street Gallery seeks original art pieces in a variety of media for its exhibit “Vessels,” which will be on display from Jan. 16 to Feb. 22 in the gallery, 1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights.
Submitted work should embody “the concept of containment, holding, protection, preservation and more. The emphasis for this call is on three-dimensional works in diverse media, including floor, pedestal, wall, and alternative hanging pieces” in medium such as glass, fiber arts, ceramics and found objects, according to a news release.
The submission deadline is just before midnight Jan. 2, and the fee is $30. It can be done online at Unionstreetgallery.submittable.com/submit. Information is at Director@UnionStreetGallery.org or 708-754-2601.
Flossmoor plans lighting of menorah, kinara
Residents are invited to celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa as a community with nightly lightings planned for both.
A menorah will be light nightly at 5 p.m. Dec. 25 to Jan. 1 at Flossmoor Park, Brassie Avenue and Flossmoor Road. A kinara will be lit at 5 p.m. nightly from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 in the park.
Families or individuals can volunteer to do either lighting by filling out a form found at www.Flossmoor.org.
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