Redeeming Life Ministries is still providing essential supplies for anyone in Kankakee County who was affected by the recent tornado. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm offering food, diapers, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, totes and more. If you are in need, do not hesitate to stop by at 2400 Waldron Road, Kankakee.
The Grant Park 4-H is hosting a donation drive for Sunrise Animal Rescue. They are looking for cat food, dog food, kitty litter, trash bags, laundry soap and paper towels. Your donations are now being accepted at Flanagan’s and Traxx in Grant Park. They ask that you please drop off your items by Monday, April 6th
The Bradley American Legion will host a Friday Night Fish Fry every Friday during Lent from 5 to 7pm. This will go on from February 20th through April 3rd down in the 766 Lounge at 835 West Broadway Street. Each meal is $12 and will include 2 pieces of fish with french fries, coleslaw and tartar sauce. This will be available for dine-in or carry-out. Orders can be placed by calling (815) 939-9113.
Saint Viateur (vie-ett-err) Council #745 is hosting a Fish Fry every Friday during Lent through April 3rd from 4:30 until 7pm at the Knights of Columbus on South Indiana Avenue in Kankakee. Their menu options include a dine-in buffet for $17, dine-in shrimp with the buffet for $22, and fish or shrimp to-go options ranging from $17 to $22. Sides include a baked potato, fries, green beans and macaroni. Visit the “Kankakee Knights of Columbus #745” page on facebook for more information.
IRS-certified volunteers are providing free Illinois State and Federal Tax preparation services again at the Salvation Army in Kankakee. This will be done through electronic filing and this help is available to those who make $68,000 or less per year. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program runs NOW through April 15th. For questions or to make an appointment, stop in at 543 East Court Street in Kankakee or call (815) 933-8421, extension 1107.
APRIL
The American Red Cross has recently been dealing with a severe blood shortage. You can help by donating at an upcoming local blood drive. These will be held:
- Thursday, April 2nd from noon to 6pm at Northfield Square Mall in Bourbonnais
- Monday, April 6th from noon to 5pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran School on Career Center Road in Bourbonnais
- Thursday, April 16th from 11am to 5pm at Northfield Square Mall
- Monday, April 27th from noon to 4pm at Gathering Point Church on West Bourbonnais Parkway.
- Thursday, April 30th from 8:30am to 2pm at the Herscher High School
To find a blood drive near you, visit “Red Cross Blood (dot) org”.
RSVP by April 4th by calling (815) 932-2510 for… The 25th Annual Dinner Dance for the Americo Vespucci Lodge 1722 Sons and Daughters of Italy. Taking place on Saturday, April 18th at the Quality Inn in Bradley. The event will feature primo Italian food and hor d’oeuvres, activities, dancing, split-the-pot, basket raffles, an open bar and live music byt the Frank Rossi Trio. This is open to the general public and all proceeds will benefit local charity. Doors open at 5:30 for social hour and dinner is at 7pm. Tickets are $75 per adult or $25 each for children 12 and under.
An Easter Egg hunt for children and adults with special needs will be taking place on Saturday, April 4th from 10am until noon in the food court at Northfield Square Mall in Bourbonnais. Enjoy free games, fun and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Siblings are welcome to attend as well. Prizes will be awarded to those who find golden eggs. Breakfast goodies and beverages will be available for purchase during this event
The Bradley American Legion Post 766 will host an afternoon of Auxiliary Bingo on Sunday, April 12th in the legion hall at 835 West Broadway Street. This fundraising event will feature multiple rounds of Bingo and plenty of opportunities to win big. It begins at 1pm. Wear a Major League Baseball team’s gear and you’ll receive a free card.
The Chebanse American Legion Post 408 will host its 14th annual Easter Egg hunt on Sunday, April 12th at Chebanse American Legion Park. This will begin at 1pm and is for children ages 10 and under.
The Papineau Fire Protection District will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser on Sunday, April 12th. Sausage and pancakes along with biscuits & gravy will be served from 7am until noon at 100 East Taylor Street inside the Papineau Fire Station.
The Bradley Lions Club will host their next all-you-can-eat breakfast on Saturday, April 18th from 7:30 to 11am inside the Bradley Community Center at 428 West Broadway Street. They’ll be serving pancakes and sausage with biscuits & gravy for $8 per person. Kids 5 and under eat for free. To have 5 orders or more delivered locally, call (815) 932-9180. The Bradley Lions do not charge a delivery fee.
The Chebanse Lodge of St Anne #429 Freemasons will host another all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast open to the public on Sunday, April 19th from 8 to 11am at 80 East First South Street in Chebanse, next to Casey’s off I-57. The breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and under. First responders on duty in Chebanse, Clifton and Ashkum who show up in uniform are welcome to eat for free.
MAY
The Village of Manteno will be hosting a fun, family-friendly market at the Square on Second from 4 to 8pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month from May through September. It will feature food trucks, farmers, ranchers, live acoustic music,seasonal vendors, fine artisans, and family-oriented activities. Opening night for the “Manteno Market at the Square” will be Wednesday, May 6th. Vendor application forms can be found on the Village Clerk page at “Village of Manteno (dot) com”.
Ace Hardware on Route 50 in Manteno will host Ride4Life’s “Dollars 4 Dogs” event on Saturday, May 9th. Members of the organization will be outside the store that day from 10:30am until 2pm selling hot dogs for one-dollar each, along with chips, soda and Ride4Life merch. A division of RelayForLife of Kankakee County, all money raised during “Dollars 4 Dogs” will go directly to the American Cancer Society.
The “Caleb’s Prayer Foundation” will host its 16th annual Benefit Car Show on Sunday, May 17th to raise money for families impacted by cancer. It will take place at Phillips Chevrolet RV of Bradley, 1400 Locke Drive in Bourbonnais. Vehicle registration is $20 and will be held from 9 to 11am. The car show will be open to spectators from noon to 3pm and is free to attend. Lunch and drinks will be available. Email “A Hoggins 6 (at) gmail (dot com” for more information, call (815) 697-3001, or visit “Calebs Prayer Foundation (dot) org”. (Rain date would be May 24th)
The 36th Annual Rhubarb Festival will be held Sunday, May 17th from 10am to 4pm on the grounds of the Kankakee County Museum at 801 South 8th Avenue in Kankakee. Join them for a fun-filled day with great food, live entertainment, kids’ activities, vendors and local history.
JUNE
The 25th and final Ride4Life cancer run to raise funds for the American Cancer Society will take place on Saturday, June 6th with registration from 10am until noon at the Manteno Sportsman’s Club. This event will happen rain or shine, with a gun raffle drawing, a one-thousand dollar grand prize drawing, and music by NFP Rock Productions.