OCTOBER

BLOOD DRIVES: The American Red Cross is experiencing a blood crisis and warning that emergency blood shortage may impact patient care. The situation is dire and you can help by donating at an upcoming local blood drive. These will be held on Thursday, October 1st from noon to 6pm at Northfield Square Mall / Saturday, October 3rd from 7 to 11am at the Saint Anne High School / Thursday, October 15th from 11am to 5pm at Northfield Square Mall / on Friday, October 16th from noon to 5pm at the Bourbonnais Fire Station / and Tuesday, October 20th from 8:30am to 2pm at Herscher High School. Key in your zip code at “Red Cross Blood (dot) org” to find a blood drive near you.

Through October 31st: The Salvation Army of Kankakee’s annual Toy Shop sign-up period is active through October 31st. Kankakee County residents needing assistance in providing gifts for their children this Christmas can sign up now at “SA Angel Tree (dot) org”.

The Villas at Herscher will host a Scarecrow Fest and Trunk or Treat with a craft show, petting zoo, food trucks and live entertainment on Saturday, October 10th. Interested vendors can register a booth by calling Natalie at (815) 426-2000. This is an assisted living community located at 100 Harvest View Lane in Herscher.

The Friends of the Library will host a cash-only Fall Book Sale at the Peotone Public Library on Thursday October 15th from 3 to 7pm, Friday October 16th from 10am to 4pm, and Saturday October 17th from 10am to 2pm. The library is at 515 North First Street in Peotone. Visit “Peotone Library (dot) org” for additional information.

Concordia University in Chicago will be sending three ensembles to perform at Saint Paul’s Lutheran School on Sunday, October 18th. Beginning at 4:30pm, attendees are going to hear from the Kapelle Choir, Chamber Orchestra and Wind Symphony. A freewill offering will be collected to support continued performances throughout the United States. The community is invited to attend at 1780 Career Center Road in Bourbonnais. More info at “St Pauls Lutheran (dot) net”.

The Bradley American Legion Post 766 will host a Trunk-or-Treat on Thursday, October 22nd in the parking lot across from the legion on West Broadway Street in Bradley. Bring the kids by for an evening full of treats, costumes, candy, community and lots of fun. All are welcome.

Jorge Bonilla and his team with Bonilla Coaching will host their next “Live 2 Lead” leadership conference on Friday, October 23rd from 8:30am until 3:30pm at Kankakee Community College. There will be both virtual and in-person speakers. For details and registration, visit “Live 2 Lead Kankakee (dot) com”.

The Manteno Sportsmen’s Club Women’s Auxiliary will host their 7th annual Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 24th from 1 to 3pm. This will take place throughout the campgrounds which will be open to the public for this all-ages event featuring cotton candy, hot dogs, drinks, hayrides, photo ops and lots of free candy.

The Bradley American Legion Post 766 is hosting a Sports Card Show on Sunday, October 25th from 11am to 4pm. Admission is a one-dollar donation at the door. The legion is at 835 West Broadway in Bradley.

A Halloween party will take place at the Wilmington VFW on Saturday, October 31st (Halloween night) and Mike Tomano’s band “The Baked Potatoes” will provide the live entertainment from 8pm until midnight. Cash prizes will be awarded for best costumes. Contest registration is from 8 to 9pm and the votes will be tallied at 10pm.