The local Menards home improvement store on Christine Drive in Bradley is serving as a drop site for a local food pantry NOW-UNTIL MARCH 31ST. From boxes of cereal to cans of soup, a wide variety of non-perishable food items are available in Menards’ grocery department for immediate donation, or you can bring in food from home. There is a large collection box located near the exit doors to put your donations in.
The Bradley American Legion will host a Friday Night Fish Fry every Friday during Lent from 5 to 7pm. This will go on from February 20th through April 3rd down in the 766 Lounge at 835 West Broadway Street. Each meal is $12 and will include 2 pieces of fish with french fries, coleslaw and tartar sauce. This will be available for dine-in or carry-out. Orders can be placed by calling (815) 939-9113.
During Lent, the Sons of the Aroma Park American Legion will host Friday night Fish Fries on February 27th, March 13th and March 27th from 5pm until they’re sold out. The meal is $15 and includes two pieces of fried or baked Cod with a baked potato, coleslaw and a dinner roll. Extra pieces of fish will be available for $3 each. Takeout orders will be available. The Legion is at 739 South Sandbar Road in Kankakee.
Saint Viateur (vie-ett-err) Council #745 is hosting a Fish Fry every Friday during Lent through April 3rd from 4:30 until 7pm at the Knights of Columbus on South Indiana Avenue in Kankakee. Their menu options include a dine-in buffet for $17, dine-in shrimp with the buffet for $22, and fish or shrimp to-go options ranging from $17 to $22. Sides include a baked potato, fries, green beans and macaroni. Visit the “Kankakee Knights of Columbus #745” page on facebook for more information.
IRS-certified volunteers are providing free Illinois State and Federal Tax preparation services again at the Salvation Army in Kankakee. This will be done through electronic filing and this help is available to those who make $68,000 or less per year. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program runs NOW through April 15th. For questions or to make an appointment, stop in at 543 East Court Street in Kankakee or call (815) 933-8421, extension 1107.
MARCH
The American Red Cross receives fewer blood donations during the cold winter months, while currently dealing with a severe blood shortage, and they ask that you “give the gift of life” by donating blood at an upcoming local blood drive.
- Friday, March 27th from noon to 5pm at the Bourbonnais Fire Department.
- Saturday, March 28th from 10am to 2pm at the United Methodist Church in Aroma Park.
For more info or to find a blood drive near you please visit “Red Cross Blood (dot) org”.
The Manteno Sportsmen’s Club Women’s Auxiliary will be hosting a Tornado Disaster Relief Drive to help families in our community recover from the recent storm damage. On Wednesday, March 25th they will be collecting baby essentials, household and pet supplies, personal care items, first aid, packing and moving supplies, along with cap nails, tarps, furring strips and other repair supplies. Please bring your donations to the Leo Hassett Community Center at 98 East Third Street in Manteno between 6am and 6pm on March 25th. No clothing items are being accepted at this time.
The Vintage Purse Museum on Diversatech Drive in Manteno will hold a fundraiser on Wednesday, March 25th at Taco John’s on Latham Drive in Bourbonnais. From 4 to 7pm, 50% of sales will be donated to help people with disabilities, fund internships for those with autism, and to continue rescuing a previously abandoned, historic Manteno building.
The Sons of the Aroma Park American Legion will host another Lenton Fish Fry on Friday, March 27th from 5pm until they’re sold out. The meal is $15 and includes two pieces of fried or baked Cod with a baked potato, coleslaw and a dinner roll. Extra pieces of fish are $3 each. Takeout orders available. The Aroma Park Legion Post 1019 is at 739 S. Sandbar Road in Kankakee.
The Concord Fire Protection District will host a Fish Fry on Friday, March 27th from 5 until 8pm at the fire station on Chestnut Avenue in Iroquois. Available for dine-in or carry-out, the cost is $16 per order and all proceeds will go toward purchasing new fire fighting equipment.
The Chebanse American Legion and Auxiliary will host a Fish Fry on Friday, March 27th from 5 to 7pm in the Chebanse Community Building at 185 South Chestnut Street. Your $12 meal includes fried fish, potato salad, coleslaw, chips and a drink. The cost is just $6 for children 6 to 12 years-old. It’s free for kids 5 and under, and the legion will also offer a hot dog option. These meals will be available for dine-in or carry-ou
The Village of Manteno will be hosting its annual Easter Egg Dash on Saturday, March 28th at Heritage Park, across from the Elementary School. A photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny will begin at 10am behind the concession stand. Kids can also enjoy Easter games and activities under the pavilion. The Egg Dash will start promptly at 11am with four different age zones. You should bring a basket for your eggs.
The Salvation Army of Kankakee will host a free Easter Egg hunt on the Kankakee County Courthouse lawn for ages 11 and under on Saturday, March 28th. Kids will be divided into 3 age groups, ten-thousand eggs will be up for grabs, and the egg hunting begins promptly at 10am. To make this happen, the Salvation Army is asking the public to help by donating plastic eggs and candy to fill them with by March 26th. Please bring your donations to the Salvation Army between 9am and 5pm Monday through Friday at 148 North Harrison Avenue in Kankakee
First United Methodist Church of Momence will host a Spring Vendor Fair and Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 28th. It opens at 8:30am and food will be available for purchase. Kids eat lunch free. The vendor fair will go on until 2pm. Weather permitting, the egg hunt will begin at 12:30pm. Participants must meet in the sanctuary beforehand. Find the 5 golden eggs! The church is at 111 West Fourth Street in Momence.
The Village of Bradley will host its annual Easter Ham Giveaway on Saturday, March 28th from 9am until noon in the old Carson’s men’s store at Northfield Square Mall. This is for Bradley residents only. These free hams will be limited to the first 300 people who show up presenting proof of Bradley residency. No delivery or reservations available
In celebration of both Women’s History month and our nation’s 250th anniversary, the Kankakee County Museum invites the public to attend a program titled “The Founding Mothers” on Saturday, March 28th. This illustrated lecture presented by Laura Keyes will focus on remarkable women who had a first-hand view of the founding of our nation, whose stories need to be shared. Tea and treats will be available at 1pm and the presentation begins at 1:30pm. Tickets are available at “Kankakee County Museum (dot) com”. It’s at 801 South 8th Avenue in Kankakee.
A community Easter Egg hunt for ages 12 and under will take place on Saturday, March 28th from 1:30 to 3:30pm at the “Arc at Kankakee”, a rehab and long-term care facility at 901 North Entrance Avenue. There will be a food truck on site, prizes for golden eggs, and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. Please bring a basket or bag to collect eggs.
Heritage Woods of Manteno will host an Easter Egg hunt for kids ages 12 and under on Saturday, March 28th at 1pm. There will be colorful eggs and prizes, family-friendly activities, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Remember to bring along a bag or basket to collect your eggs. Heritage Woods of Manteno is an assisted living community for older adults, which is located at 355 Diversatech Drive.
A fundraiser for the Bradley-Bourbonnais kids Wrestling Club will be held on Saturday, March 28th from 2 to 6pm at the Bradley American Legion on West Broadway Street. Join them for a fun party with music and bingo, a basket drawing, raffle, split-the-pot and a taco truck.
The 3rd annual “Richard Craven Celebration of Life” will be happening on Saturday, March 28th in The Country Mansion at 101 West South Street in Dwight. The party starts at 5pm for a $10 donation at the door. Kids 10 and under are admitted free. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. They’ll have a cash bar, live auction and raffles. Among the items to be raffled off will be a Bears mini-fridge. Proceeds from this event will be used to support area families in need through the Richard Craven Foundation, honoring his legacy of generosity and support. Find additional details on “The Richard Craven Foundation” facebook page.
The Bradley American Legion Post 766 Auxiliary will host its annual Easter Egg hunt on Sunday, March 29th for kids ages 12 and under. The event is free but donations will be accepted. It will be held outside at 1pm in the Monument Yard at 835 West Broadway Street in Bradley.
APRIL
RSVP by April 4th by calling (815) 932-2510 for… The 25th Annual Dinner Dance for the Americo Vespucci Lodge 1722 Sons and Daughters of Italy. Taking place on Saturday, April 18th at the Quality Inn in Bradley. The event will feature primo Italian food and hor d’oeuvres, activities, dancing, split-the-pot, basket raffles, an open bar and live music byt the Frank Rossi Trio. This is open to the general public and all proceeds will benefit local charity. Doors open at 5:30 for social hour and dinner is at 7pm. Tickets are $75 per adult or $25 each for children 12 and under.
An Easter Egg hunt for children and adults with special needs will be taking place on Saturday, April 4th from 10am until noon in the food court at Northfield Square Mall in Bourbonnais. Enjoy free games, fun and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Siblings are welcome to attend as well. Prizes will be awarded to those who find golden eggs. Breakfast goodies and beverages will be available for purchase during this event
The Bradley American Legion Post 766 will host an afternoon of Auxiliary Bingo on Sunday, April 12th in the legion hall at 835 West Broadway Street. This fundraising event will feature multiple rounds of Bingo and plenty of opportunities to win big. It begins at 1pm. Wear a Major League Baseball team’s gear and you’ll receive a free card.
The Chebanse American Legion Post 408 will host its 14th annual Easter Egg hunt on Sunday, April 12th at Chebanse American Legion Park. This will begin at 1pm and is for children ages 10 and under.
MAY
The Village of Manteno will be hosting a fun, family-friendly market at the Square on Second from 4 to 8pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month from May through September. It will feature food trucks, farmers, ranchers, live acoustic music,seasonal vendors, fine artisans, and family-oriented activities. Opening night for the “Manteno Market at the Square” will be Wednesday, May 6th. Vendor application forms can be found on the Village Clerk page at “Village of Manteno (dot) com”.
Ace Hardware on Route 50 in Manteno will host Ride4Life’s “Dollars 4 Dogs” event on Saturday, May 9th. Members of the organization will be outside the store that day from 10:30am until 2pm selling hot dogs for one-dollar each, along with chips, soda and Ride4Life merch. A division of RelayForLife of Kankakee County, all money raised during “Dollars 4 Dogs” will go directly to the American Cancer Society.
The “Caleb’s Prayer Foundation” will host its 16th annual Benefit Car Show on Sunday, May 17th to raise money for families impacted by cancer. It will take place at Phillips Chevrolet RV of Bradley, 1400 Locke Drive in Bourbonnais. Vehicle registration is $20 and will be held from 9 to 11am. The car show will be open to spectators from noon to 3pm and is free to attend. Lunch and drinks will be available. Email “A Hoggins 6 (at) gmail (dot com” for more information, call (815) 697-3001, or visit “Calebs Prayer Foundation (dot) org”. (Rain date would be May 24th)
JUNE
The 25th and final Ride4Life cancer run to raise funds for the American Cancer Society will take place on Saturday, June 6th with registration from 10am until noon at the Manteno Sportsman’s Club. This event will happen rain or shine, with a gun raffle drawing, a one-thousand dollar grand prize drawing, and music by NFP Rock Productions.
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