Gifts and volunteers needed for Santa’s Workshop

Christmas shopping for children gives you an excuse to play in the toy aisle.  And even if your children are grown, you can still play in the toy aisle while buying a gift for a low-income child.

Project Success in Spring Valley is taking new toys, coats and cash for Santa’s Workshop- a Christmas giveaway for needy families in eastern Bureau County.

Michelle Zeko is the superintendent of Ladd Grade School and a volunteer with Santa’s Workshop.  She says they want every child to to receive something for Christmas.

If you’re the parent or guardian of a family that qualifies, you can register your family at the Project Success office in Spring Valley by December 6.  You’ll receive a ticket to redeem at Ladd Grade School on December 14.  It’s open to families in the area served by the Hall Township Food Pantry.

If you’re not in need you can get involved by making a donation or volunteering at the workshop.

Donations can be left at Ladd School, the Spring Valley Boat Club, and several banks in eastern Bureau County.

An interview with Zeko is available at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

IDPH says thaw your turkey now

Thanksgiving is still several days away, but it might already be time to take your turkey out of the freezer.  Depending on the size of the bird, it can take up to six days to thaw a Turkey in the refrigerator, and the Illinois Department of Public Health is reminding people why it’s important that the meat is completely defrosted before cooking. If not, the turkey will not cook to the 165-degree temperature needed to kill bacteria.

Madigan investigating suspicious charity

Illinois’ Attorney General says she’s opening an investigation into a potential fundraising scam tied to tornado relief efforts. Lisa Madigan’s office says it received a complaint regarding an unregistered, out-of-state entity that said it was raising funds for victims of last weekend’s storms.

“Fill the Mayflower” helps to stock the shelves at the IV Food Pantry

Saturday morning was cold and windy but it didn’t stop shoppers at Hy-Vee in Peru from putting others before themselves.  Many shoppers bought a $10 bag of groceries for the Illinois Valley Food Pantry before stepping inside the store.

The food drive called “Fill the Mayflower” has grown into annual event that food pantry Executive Director Donna Hess looks forward to every November.   She says this year’s event brought in more food than last year.

The food drive was sponsored by La Salle County Broadcasting and the Illinois Valley Y.  The truck load of donations was unpacked at the pantry by local Boy Scouts and their leaders.