Community Corner

Lemont's Hope and Friendship Foundation Seeks Volunteers for Summer, Fall Events

Upcoming opportunities include "Sushi for Shoes" at Kitaro Grill, Keepataw Days and the annual Community Rummage Sale.

The Lemont-based Hope and Friendship Foundation is seeking volunteers and donations for several upcoming events and charity drives.

Hope and Friendship founder Terri O'Neill-Borders sent the following message Monday night:

"As we turn the corner and begin to enter another fall and school year, I ask that you remember those within our community who are unable to afford the necessities that absorb a good portion of your household income: school supplies, school shoes/clothes, home needs and within a few months winter clothing, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas gifts and more. Every single donation your have and can offer (monetary donations or gently used furniture, clothes, etc.) fills a void in a home that truly needs and appreciates you being a friend who offers to a friend in need.

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Thank you for allowing Hope and Friendship to be the conduit to fill some of these voids and needs in our corner of the world."

Upcoming Events

Entire month of August: Dine, Donate, Dine Again with a Discount

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Four Lemont restaurants are encouraging patrons to support the local food pantries this month through a new "Dine, Donate, Dine Again with a Discount" program.

Food, school supplies and monetary donations will be collected throughout the month of August at the following Lemont restaurants:

  • , 12371 S. Derby Road
  • , 319 Front St.
  • , 308 Canal St.
  • , 103 Stephen St.

Those who donate to the Lemont Food Pantries will receive a 10-percent discount during a return visit in September. When patrons return in September, the 10 percent can either be deducted from your meal total or used as a donation to the pantries.

Aug. 14: Hope and Friendship Pool Party

One free night of swimming (thanks to the ) for families who haven’t been able to afford that privilege. The foundation is still collecting beach towels, which need to be dropped off in the Durango at 721 Hickory St. by 4 p.m. Volunteers will also hand out school supplies and backpacks (courtesy of Little Beans). Donations may be dropped off at one of the four restaurants participating in Dine and Donate (Front Street Cantina, the Vault, 3 Corners Grill and Tap, or Stonehouse Pub), the , 1115 Warner Ave.; or the lobby, 14600 W. 127th St. 

Aug. 18, 25: Final Mission Stay Saturdays

Hope and Friendship will host its final "Mission Stay Saturdays" of the summer on Aug. 18 and Aug. 25. Volunteers are needed to help with yard work and small fix-up jobs. Baked goods are needed for Aug. 25.

The group meets at the Lemont Police Department at 8 a.m., and are finished no later than noon.

Aug. 27: Sushi for Shoes

Viviana Grasso of will be a guest hostess at , 1224 State St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 27, for "Sushi for Shoes." The event will collect new shoes for kids in need.

Kitaro will donate 10 percent of all sales during the event to Hope and Friendship.

Gently used shoes may be dropped off in bins located at the Lemont Police Department, Lemont Township or Petal Play Design, 435 Talcott Ave.

Aug. 31 - Sept. 3: Keepataw Days Festival

Hope and Friendship is in need of 45 bartenders to volunteer in the beer garden on Saturday, Sept. 1 (noon to 3 p.m., 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., 9 p.m. to midnight).

Volunteers are also needed to work the Bingo tent from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday.

Sept. 23: Fundraiser at the Vault

The Vault and the Lemont Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association are raising funds for Hope and Friendship from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 23. Ten percent of all sales during the event will be donated to the foundation.

September/October: Community Rummage Sale 

Household items and gently-used treasures are needed for the Community Rummage Sale, which will be held in September or mid-October (date to be determined later this week). Volunteers are also needed.

Ongoing: How to Donate

Donations can be sent to Hope and Friendship at 721 Hickory St. in Lemont, 60439. Do you know of a way the foundation can reach out to a business that wants to help in the community? Email Terri O'Neill-Borders at hopeandfriendship@comcast.net

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