Lemont High School Supports Education Around the World

LHS Student Council is collecting funds at school and online to benefit Pencils of Promise.

Lemont High School’s Student Council is collecting funds to help an organization that supports education around the world. Through Thursday, student council members will collect money during lunch periods to benefit Pencils of Promise. Students, staff and community members also can donate online through Jan. 31. Each $25 worth of donations earns the school a chance for a visit from pop superstar Justin Bieber. Click here to make a donation online. Pencils of Promise is an international non-profit organization that believes every child should have access to quality education. Established in 2008 with the goal of building one school, Pencils of Promise has broken ground on more than 100 schools. The organization creates schools and programs …

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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 …

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Lemont Resident Collects Donations for Colorado Wildfire Victims

Emily Fox, a 2011 graduate of Colorado Christian University, is collecting gift cards and supplies to deliver to victims of the most destructive fire in state history.

Over the past month, Colorado residents have been devastated by two of the worst wildfires in state history—first in High Park, just west of Fort Collins, then in Waldo Canyon, near Colorado Springs. The fires burned more than 100,000 acres, destroying hundreds of homes and forcing more than 32,000 residents to evacuate. Despite being more than 1,000 miles away, the disaster hit close to home for Lemont resident Emily Fox, who graduated last year from Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, CO. "CCU and my church are far enough away that they weren't affected, but so many families of people I went to school with were," Fox said. Fox, 22, had been planning to visit Lakewood this summer with her boyfriend, Dennis Nelson. After seeing the …

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VFW Ladies Auxiliary Sends Soldiers Comforts from Home

The group mails 20 to 25 boxes overseas each month.

Earlier this summer, 24 boxes of snacks and toiletries were sent to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan by the Ladies Auxiliary of Lemont Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5819. Diane Krisciunas, president of the group, said 20 to 25 boxes are mailed each month. The soldiers, including two females, are from Lemont or have family members who live in Lemont.  “We try to keep it local,” Krisciunas said. The VFW post pays for postage, nearly $12 each for a large box. Soldiers have come back or written letters to say how grateful they are, Krisciunas said. “We don’t know how much it means to them. It’s heartwarming,” she said. Particularly popular are hand sanitizers and baby wipes because “it’s a really dirty place to be,” Krisciunas said. Bill Ward…

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Happy Holidays From Patch

Lemont Christmas Carolers Brighten Holidays for Those in Need

Eleven Lemont children sang Christmas carols while asking for donations for the Bethany Lutheran Open Food Pantry.

The food pantry at Bethany Lutheran Church is a bit fuller this week thanks to the efforts of 11 Lemont children who spread the holiday spirit by caroling. After only three hours of singing carols and asking for donations around Lemont, they returned to Bethany Lutheran with 13 bags of non-perishable food items. They also received a check for $2,448 thanks to a matching-funds donation from the Aunt Marlene Foundation. "It was amazing -- we were really surprised," said Bethany Lutheran Pastor John Lang, who oversees the food pantry. "When people go around the neighborhood like that [on our behalf], it's really nice." Lang said the church has about 100 families who rely on the food pantry, particularly during this time of year. The cash …

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