Treats will be raining from the sky at Faith Lutheran Church in Aurora on Saturday, as the church at 3000 Liberty St. celebrates the day before Easter by dropping candy-stuffed plastic eggs from a helicopter as part of an egg hunt for children.
The community event is open to children up to 10 years old, who to need bring their own basket for the egg hunt, church officials said. More than 15,000 plastic eggs will be available during the hunt, with some 3,000 pouring down from the helicopter.
Doors for the event open at 10 a.m., with the helicopter drop around 11 a.m. Prizes will be given from some special golden eggs dropped in the field near the church. Officials recommend that everyone who wants to take part in the event be at the church by 10:45 a.m.
Volunteers will be on hand to steer the children into groups by age to collect the eggs. Afterward, a photographer will be on hand or participants can take their own photos when they see the Easter Bunny.
Free tickets for the event are available at Eventbrite, but there is a cost for parking. There are shuttle buses from an off-site location to the church and back, officials said.
The Rev. Rob Douglas of Faith Lutheran Church said the Saturday event is a party for the community. He said Easter services are planned at the church at 6:30, 8 and 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
For more information, call Douglas at 630-248-5515 or email pastor@discoveringfaith.com.
NAMI DuPage celebrating 40th anniversary with May gala
NAMI DuPage, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will host its Shine a Light Gala to celebrate the nonprofit’s 40th anniversary of helping people with mental illness.
The black-tie optional event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Chicago Marriott Naperville, 1801 N. Naper Blvd. in Naperville.
Proceeds will support the organization’s free and low-cost services, including mental health education for middle and high school students, support groups and career education. Funds raised also will help expand programs and continue providing support, education and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness, organizers said.
The gala will include dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, and cash raffles. Tickets are $200.
A pre-dinner gathering at 4:30 p.m. will feature Meg Kissinger, author of “While You Were Out” and the recipient of the organization’s Lightkeeper Award. Tickets are $75.
This year’s Community Partnership Award will be presented to Greg DiDomenico of Community Memorial Foundation.
For more information, go to namidupage.org/gala.
