The deadline to apply to take part in the St. Patrick’s Parade in St. Charles has been extended to Friday, Feb. 21, event organizers said in a press release,
The parade is set to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15, along Main Street in St. Charles, beginning at Sixth Street and concluding at Fourth Avenue.
Local businesses, community groups and non-profits are encouraged to participate in this year’s parade, organizers said.
To view the St. Patrick’s Parade entry form, go to www.stcstpatricksparade.com. Entries that will have more than 20 walkers will need to reach out to the St. Charles Business Alliance at 630-443-3867 or at info@stcalliance.org for special permission and guidelines, according to the release.
For more information on the parade, go to www.stcstpatricksparade.com.
Senior Services offering free tax help from AARP
AARP is hosting free income tax preparation services at Senior Services Associates at 2111 Plum St. in Aurora, officials said.
Appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through April 8.
Those interested in the service can stop in at Senior Service to pick up a tax information packet and schedule an appointment during normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 630-897-4035.
Kane sheriff’s office to award college scholarship
The Kane County Sheriff’s Office will be awarding a $500 scholarship through the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association to a student wanting to pursue higher education during the 2025-26 academic year.
Scholarship money can be applied to tuition, books and fees only, according to a news release. Students must be enrolled full time at a certified institution of higher learning in Illinois.
Applications are available at www.ilsheriff.org/youth-2. They need to be submitted by Friday, March 14, to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Attention: Sheriff Ron Hain, 37W755 Route 38, Suite A, St. Charles, IL 60175.
DuPage County proclamation recognizes 211 helpline
The DuPage County Board proclaimed Feb. 11 as 211 Day at its meeting Tuesday to recognize the helpline that connects county residents with health and human services.
DuPage County residents can dial 211 to receive around-the-clock information and referrals to mental health services, addiction support and rehabilitation, crisis counseling, supplemental food programs, shelter and affordable housing options, a news release on the board’s action said. Additional services include information on employment, financial assistance, senior programs and transportation.
To access the free, confidential service, call 211, text a ZIP code to TXT211 or 898211, or go online at www.211dupage.gov.
In 2024, specialists connected about 8,650 people to services, according to the release. More than 4,100 residents sought assistance for utility payments, more than 2,100 requested rent assistance and about 650 received referrals to local food pantries, the release said.
Genealogy in spotlight at library
The St. Charles Public Library will host “Too Good to Be True: Learn How to Spot and Stop Genealogy Fraud” with professional genealogist Candace Marx at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, in the Huntley Community Room at the library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles.
The genealogy world has a long history of fraudsters and fabricated facts, library officials said. Good family historians want to create truthful trees and avoid being conned by information that looks “too good to be true,” according to event organizers.
In this lecture, Marx will discuss past and present genealogy scams and tips for avoiding them.
For more information or to register, call 630-584-0076.
Plano Food Pantry open Feb. 21
Those in need can pick up a box of canned goods, fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen meat, bread, milk, eggs and more at the Plano Food Pantry from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at First Lutheran Church, 200 N. Center St. in Plano.
Participants should bring their food pantry card, if they have one. If they don’t, they can bring identification and one will be issued in a couple of minutes, pantry officials said.
Kane County launches Behavioral Health 360 initiative
The Kane County Health Department has launched Behavioral Health 360, an online platform to help people facing mental health and substance abuse issues.
A self-help tool, the site provides information, strategies and local resources to assist people in taking control of their well-being, according to a news release. It’s free to use, confidential and designed for both teens and adults.
Mental health providers also can use Behavioral Health 360 to share reliable information and resources with their clients, helping to supplement in-person care, the release said.
For more information and to access Behavioral Health 360, go to kanehealth.com.
