If the last week of frigid weather has done nothing else, it's made us thankful for a well-heated home and a warm coat. Employees of the Village of Downers Grove may not be able to help with the heat bills, but they are collecting gently used outerwear for clients of Sharing Connections. The employees' VOICE Committee—which stands for Village Organized Ideas for the Community and Employees—is behind the effort. "Our mission is to offer village employees the opportunity to participate in fundraising projects, charitable collections/drives and social events with the goal of supporting …

When the local rock band DamnRomantics performs Saturday, Dec. 18, at Shanahan's it will be for more than applause. It will be for smiles. Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the evening, with half of the proceeds going to the ultimate winner and half to Alliance for Smiles, a charity that repairs "broken smiles" by offering treatment for cleft lip and palate deformities to children in under-served areas of the world. "My dad, Patrick O'Flaherty, is a dentist in Downers Grove," said band member Kevin O'Flaherty. "Charity is a big part of his life. The past several years, he has donated …

The emphasis is on community for Michael Busse, president of Community Bank of Downers Grove. Consequently, he relishes the holiday season as it gives him the opportunity to show appreciation to all aspects of his community. "I take the community bank concept very seriously," Busse said. "So benefiting the customers, not-for-profits and merchants fit. It's all in the nature of a good community bank." Community Bank of Downers Grove is currently coordinating its annual Holiday Sharing Program. Three years ago, Busse recalled contemplating what kind of gift to give his customers for the …

My husband and I have always emphasized to our four children that it is better to give than to receive, especially during the holiday season. Our children do not exchange gifts amongst themselves; we make donations instead of putting an extra twelve presents under our tree.  When they were younger, each child would pick out a toy and we would donate them to the fire station's annual toy drive. For the past few years, they have picked a child from our school's giving tree or a senior citizen from church to support during the holidays. I am comforted to know that District 58 schools are …

When a loved one is struggling with a fatal illness, nothing ever seems easy. But that is the perfect time and place for hospice services to step in—and for the community at large to get involved. Advocate Hospice currently is seeking volunteers to participate in two major drives: a holiday cookie drive and a blanket drive. Volunteer coordinator Loni Wiedemann has been involved in the holiday cookie drive since it began about six years ago. "It has definitely been a learning experience," she said. Volunteers bake cookies and package two to three dozen in a holiday tin. The cookies are then …

As wreaths are simultaneously laid on the graves of American veterans at more than 300 national and state cemeteries Dec. 11, Boy Scout Troop 181 of Downers Grove will be placing dozens more at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. "It's a way of honoring the vets who sacrificed everything for us. It's a way to honor them for their sacrifices," said Debbie Smothers, who is the local volunteer coordinator for Wreaths Across America, which describes its mission as Remember, Honor and Teach.  Troop 181 has an impressive reputation for community service. The 15-member troop was recognized…