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With the temperature beginning to drop, it's a good time to think of all the people in our community who are vulnerable to the cold. By giving them a warm coat and gloves, we can make all the difference in the world to them this winter.
To help keep our neighbors warm, my office is hosting a Winter Gear Drive through Dec. 16 for students in need and their families. We'll be collecting winter coats, gloves, boots, snow pants and hats to donate to local school districts. Children's winter boots sizes 1 to 7, women's 2XL coats, men's small coats and hats and gloves of all sizes are particularly needed.
To schedule a time to drop off donations or schedule a porch pick-up, please email reptch42@gmail.com or call 630-812-9292. You can also donate through our Amazon Wishlist and through Target.
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Learn more about dementia and how you can help during Alzheimer's Awareness Month
Nearly 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, including more than 250,000 right here in Illinois.
To help make sure that our first responders understand how to respond to people with Alzheimer's and their families, I cosponsored HB4388, which requires that paramedics to receive regular dementia training.
During this month, I think it's especially important for all of us to reflect on ways we can support those affected by Alzheimer’s – and their caregivers, who may not know where to find help. To learn more, you can visit the Alzheimer's Association's website here.
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Recycle your yard signs at no cost TOMORROW and SATURDAY at the DuPage County campus
If you still have election signs in your yard, the DuPage County Environmental Committee will accept plastic and cardboard signs for recycling at no cost.
You can drop off signs tomorrow (Friday) from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at the DuPage County campus, 421 N. County Farm Road in Wheaton. Please note that only corrugated plastic and cardboard signs will be accepted. Metal stands must be separated from signs prior to drop-off.
If you have questions, you can contact the County at 630-407-6700 or email recycle@dupagecounty.gov. For more information on other DuPage County recycling events, you can click here.
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Want to meet a T-Rex? Comes to the Glen Ellyn library's Discover Dinosaurs event SATURDAY
T-Rexplorers, a Lemont-based group that brings dinosaur discovery and paleontology programs to schools, libraries, and park districts throughout our area, is coming to Glen Ellyn Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Children in grades K through 5, and their grownups, can see some real dinosaur bones and learn more about dinosaur digs from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane St.
If you show up by 1:45 pm, you can even meet Ranger the T-Rex just outside the library front doors. (Don't worry – he doesn't bite.) Adults and children must register for this event. You can click here to register.
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Help find the Downers Grove Park District turkeys and enjoy a holiday lunch SUNDAY
Oh, no! The Downers Grove Park District's turkey friends are lost! But children aged 5 through 12 can help find them at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17, at Lyman Woods, 901 31st St.
You can uncover clues and follow turkey tracks to find the birds, and then craft some turkey-feeders to entice them back. The turkey "hunt" will be followed with a Thanksgiving lunch of mashed potatoes, carrots, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, cranberries and, of course, some delicious pie.
This is a drop-off, youth-only program, and advance registration is required. You can click here to learn more and sign up.
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Get Senior Health Insurance Program/ Medicare counseling in Lombard TUESDAY
Trying to understand Medicare and its related supplemental insurance programs can be incredibly confusing.
If you'd like some help in navigating these programs and figuring out which one is best for you or someone you care about, you can get one-on-one advice on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Helen Plum Library, 411 S. Main St. in Lombard.
You'll get informed guidance from a Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselor provided by the Illinois Department on Aging and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Insurance.
To schedule your 30-minute appointment, please call Stephanie Howanietz at (331) 758-0111. To learn more, you can click here.
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Help people in need by donating to Glen Ellyn's Community Blood and Food Drive TUESDAY
Your donations make a difference! So if you can, please make time on Tuesday, Nov. 19, to participate in our Blood and Food Drive with the Kiwanis Club of Central DuPage and the Glen Ellyn Park District.
We'll be collecting donations of blood and food from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road. Appointments are recommended for blood donations, but walk-ups are welcome.
If you can, please pick up a few extra grocery items this week to donate as well. Your donation can make a real difference in the life of a family struggling to keep food on the table. Food items will be donated to the Glen House Food Pantry. For more information, you can click here.
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Parents can get a few hours off with Kids Night Out in Lisle Nov. 22
Thanks to the Lisle Park District, parents can have some kid-free time while their kids enjoy a safe "night out" on Friday, Nov. 22, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Gentle Learning Preschool, 1925 Ohio St. in Lisle.
Kids will spend the evening doing craft projects and playing outside on the Lisle Park District's enclosed playground (weather permitting).
Kids Night Out is open to children aged 3-9, and advance registration is required. There will be a Kids Night Out every month through the end of the year, and spots are limited. So sign up as soon as you can! For more information and registration, you can click here.
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It's time to go nuts with the Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn's Holiday Nut Sale
The Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn's annual Holiday Nut sale is happening now through Dec. 16.
The Kiwanis Club uses all profits from the sale to sponsor and support community organizations, including Glen House Food Pantry, the Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center, Glen Ellyn Historical Society, WDSRA (Western DuPage Special Recreation Association), SCARCE (School & Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education), and ESSE Adult Day Care Services.
You can get an order form and learn more by contacting Penny at plinneweh@comcast.net or visiting the Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn website.
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Don't sit home in the cold this winter! Utility assistance applications open now
The State of Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers financial assistance for utility bills to low-income families.
All households with incomes lower than double the federal poverty level are eligible for the program. Households with higher family incomes may also be eligible; you can find more information at the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website.
Community action agencies – the local organizations that administer LIHEAP – accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis, now through the middle of August. Applications will close earlier if funds run out, so don't delay!
For more information and details on how to apply, you can click here.
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BEE creative – but don't BEE late! It's time to help us name the District 42 Bee Hive
To bee, or not to bee? That one's easy!
We're official Super Sweet Bee Buddy Members! That means we're sponsoring a City Bee Savers beehive, on behalf of District 42. Now we need to pick a great name for our hive and its queen bee.
City Bee Savers is a member of the Illinois Queen Initiative (IQI), which is working to raise healthy honey bees from colonies that are well-suited to Illinois' rigorous climate.
Throughout the summer, the City Bee Savers safely retrieve honey bees from trees, chimneys, and buildings around Illinois and place them in hive boxes. Those bees are then bred to help produce bees that are Illinois-hardy.
If you have some creative ideas to name our hive and its queen, you can click here. (Puns are DEFINITELY encouraged.) We'll select the top five and then let you vote to pick the name. (Just BEE polite with your suggestions, please!)
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We're collecting donations for the Lombard Fire Department's Toy Drive and Parade
The Lombard Fire Department is hosting its 23rd Annual Toy Drive from now through Dec. 13, and my office is helping collect new toys (unwrapped), sports equipment, formula, wipes, and diapers to donate to the drive.
The drive will end with the Toy Parade on Main Street, from St. Charles Road to Wilson Avenue, on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m. Residents are invited to participate and help spread holiday cheer by donating new, unwrapped toys and baby supplies to help local families in need.
Donations will benefit Toy Express and Teen Parent Connection. To schedule a time to drop off donations or a porch pick-up, you can email reptch42@gmail.com or call 630-812-9292. You can also donate through our Amazon Wishlist here. For more information, you can click here.
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Upcoming Events
We have lots of events coming up, so please take a look and mark your calendars today!
Nov. 23: Family Tree Decorating, at 1:30 p.m. at the Downers Grove Museum, 831 Maple Ave.
Nov. 27: Wing It Turkey Shootout Free Throw Challenge, from 10 a.m. to noon at Main Street Recreation Center, 501 Hill Ave. in Glen Ellyn
Nov. 28: Glen Ellyn Park District's Turkey Burn, from 7 to 10 a.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road
Nov. 28: Turkey Trot 4-Mile Run, at 8 a.m. at Lake Ellyn Park, 645 Lenox Road in Glen Ellyn
Nov. 29: Wheaton Christmas Parade, starting at 6 p.m., at Wheaton Avenue and Wesley Street
Nov. 29-Dec. 25: Starry Night Windows in Downtown Glen Ellyn.
Nov. 30-Dec. 22: Santa is Coming to Downtown Glen Ellyn, on Saturdays and Sundays at his Glen Ellyn "weekend house" off Main Street
Dec. 7: Candy Cane Lane Market from 4 to 8 p.m. at South Park Avenue in Downtown Lombard, between St. Charles Road and the Lombard Train Station
Dec. 7: Downers Grove Candy Cane Lane, at 9 a.m. at the Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave.
Dec. 7: Jingle Bell Jubilee, at 5:30 p.m. at Lilacia Park, 150 S. Park Ave. in Lombard.
Dec. 8: Glen Ellyn Park District’s Toys For Tots Toy Drive with Characters, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road
Dec. 8-Jan. 1: Holiday Lights in Lilacia Park, from 4:30 to 10 p.m. daily at 150 S. Park Ave. in Lombard
Dec. 9: Skin Cancer Screening Event, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Good Samaritan Bhorade Cancer Center, 3745 Highland Ave in Downers Grove
If you have any questions about pending legislation or other issues related to your state government, please don't hesitate to contact my office at 630-812-9292 or RepTCH42@gmail.com.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay strong,
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Terra Costa Howard
State Representative
42nd District
913 S. Main St.
Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 812-9292
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