News Briefs: Porch Light Night is Monday, Oct. 7; State rep candidate is Tuesday, Oct. 8; Clothing drive in Highland Park open through Oct. 18

Time to leave the light on, Kenilworth.

Kenilworth Community Fund volunteers will take to the streets on Monday, Oct. 7, for the organization’s annual tradition, Porch Light Night, a program “to allow neighbors to help neighbors,” according to the community fund.

The Kenilworth Community Fund is an 83-year-old nonprofit that raises funds to support local charities that serve the North Shore. Porch Light Night is nearly as old and the tradition is the group’s largest and most important fundraiser. On Monday evening, community fund volunteers will visit every home in town to request donations.

“Misfortune does not care about incomes or zip codes. It can strike any of us at any time,” said Jack McHugh, the fund’s president, in an email. “Whether you have a child with special needs, a struggling teen who needs to talk, or a parent meeting the challenges of aging, the Kenilworth Community Fund has been supporting local charities addressing the needs of residents since the Great Depression.”  

For more information about the organization and to donate online, visit the Kenilworth Community Fund website.

Local state rep candidates to speak to voters on Tuesday, Oct. 8

The League of Women Voters of Wilmette will be hosting a forum next week showcasing candidates in two races for local Illinois House of Representatives seats.

The forum will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at The Woman’s Club of Wilmette at 930 Greenleaf Ave. in Wilmette. The two candidates running in the 17th and 57th House districts are Jim Geldermann (R) and Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D, incumbent) and Daniel Behr (R) and Tracy Katz Muhl (D, incumbent), respectively.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan nonprofit that does not endorse candidates for public office. The forum is an effort to provide a platform for the candidates to speak to voters about their positions on important issues.

The event will be recorded and available for viewing on the LWVW website following the event.

Donate winter clothing at multiple sites in Highland Park, Highwood

As the weather turns, the Park District of Highland Park is hoping residents will share winter clothing items with their neighbors in need.

The district in partnership with the Highwood Public Library and Church of the Redeemer is hosting a Winter Clothing Drive that is underway until Oct. 18.

Community members can drop off new or gently used clothing items for ages 2 to adult at:
• Highwood Public Library, 102 Highwood Ave., Highwood,
• Church of the Redeemer, 107 Highwood Ave., Highwood,
• West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park,
• Deer Creek Racquet Club, 701 Deer Creek Parkway, Highland Park, and
• Centennial Ice Arena, 3100 Trail Way, Highland Park

Items needed include: coats, snow pants, boots, mittens, hats, blankets and other clothing items.

For those in need, The Church of the Redeemer will also be distributing free winter clothing from 4-6 p.m. on Oct. 25 and from 10 a.m.-noon on Oct. 26, while supplies last.

Anyone with questions about the drive can contact the Church of the Redeemer at office@redeemernorthshore.org.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a subscriber? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.