News Briefs: Flower flash, school-supply drive thru Aug. 31, special branch pickup Sept. 1, call for volunteers for Wilmette’s block party

Local organizations joined forces to surprise essential workers with a “flower flash” in early June.

A large, heart-shaped floral arrangement was awaiting guests of the Winnetka Farmers Market’s opening day.

The Garden Guild of Winnetka was behind the arrangement, which is made up 3,000 flowers, and received an assist from the Village of Winnetka, Winnetka Park District and local chamber of commerce.

The guild’s Margaret Herrmann said the organization was honoring the town’s police officers, firefighters, teachers, healthcare workers, postal employees and “others who served the community throughout the pandemic.”

School-supply drive at Berkshire Hathaway through Aug. 31

New school supplies are being collected between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Aug. 31, at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office in Winnetka, 839 Elm St.

The firm is partnering with Cradles to Crayons, which packages and distributes donated items to disadvantaged children in Chicago. The initiative is part of Berkshire Hathaway’s annual Community Kindness event.

“In the bustle of getting ready for the new school year, it can be easy for parents to lose sight of the fact that not every kid has the essentials they need to start school,” said Kevin Rynes, managing broker of the Winnetka office, in a statement. “The agents in our Winnetka office wanted to help Cradles to Crayons gather as many school supplies as possible to help kids get off on the right foot. Thank you in advance for your assistance, and I want to extend a special thank you for Stacy Burgoon, our Kindness Foundation ambassador, for her coordination of this event.”

For more information about the Cradles to Crayons drive, contact BHHS Chicago Kindness Foundation ambassador Stacy Burgoon at (773) 559-5100 or sburgoon@bhhschicago.com.

Kenilworth sets up special brush collection after storm rolls through

A powerful storm left a mess in its wake as it traveled through the North Shore on Monday, Aug. 29.

The Village of Kenilworth announced a special brush collection day on Thursday, Sept. 1. According to a village release, tree limbs should be placed in the parkway by 8 a.m. on Thursday. The village requests residents attempt to bundle the brush so it does not find its way into the street.

For more information, contact the Village at (847) 251-1666 or info@vok.org.

Village of Wilmette seeks volunteers for 150th anniversary bash

Volunteers are needed for the upcoming Wilmette Block Party from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 10.

The celebration is in honor of the town’s 150th birthday, or sesquicentennial, and will feature everything from a kids area and activities to live music and beverages.

The Village of Wilmette is seeking volunteers to help on that day and a number of slots remain unfilled. According to the village, volunteers receive a commemorative T-shirt, parking, drink tickets and other swag. You can sign up as an individual(s) or with a group.

To sign up, visit the volunteer registration page or contact volunteer coordinator Lindsey Thomas at lthomas@wilpark.org or (847) 920-3925.

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