The Manteno Chamber of Commerce urges you to donate to their Women Supporting Women Supply Drive for “The Closet”, a resource which gives local students free access to everyday essentials like personal care items and school supplies. Items needed include shampoo and conditioner, nail clippers, chapstick, shaving cream, hair ties and scrunchies, lotion, graphite and colored pencils, brushes and combs. Your donations can be dropped off NOW through Friday, February 27th in Manteno at the Village Hall, Peoples Bank or Main Street Pharmacy. They can also be dropped off at our Milner Media radio station office at 292 North Convent in Bourbonnais.
The Illinois Sheriff’s Association is making over $58,000 in scholarships available statewide for college students planning to attend during the 2026/27 academic year. In addition to the state-level scholarships, Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey will be personally awarding two $500 scholarships. Applications can be picked up at the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office or downloaded online at “IL Sheriff (dot) org (slash) Youth (dash) 2”. Applications must be received by March 13th. You can contact the Sheriff’s office for additional information by calling (815) 802-7104.
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.
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.
FEBRUARY
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:
- Thursday, February 19th from 11am to 5pm at Northfield Square Mall in Bourbonnais
- Thursday, February 19th from noon to 6pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Herscher
- Wednesday, February 25th from 10am to 3pm at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee
- Saturday, February 28th from 9am to 2pm at the Greater New Hope M.B. Church on East Cedar Street in Kankakee.
For more info or to find a blood drive near you please visit “Red Cross Blood (dot) org”.
Kankakee County Museum Research Coordinator Jorie Walters will present “The History of the Riverview Hotel and the Electric Park” at 10:30am on Friday, February 13th at the Limestone Township Public Library, 2701 West Tower Road, Kankakee..This presentation will cover these two early tourist attractions, how both shaped Kankakee County in the late 1800s, as well as their legacy today. Light refreshments will be served. Call the Limestone Library at (815) 939-1696 to register.
Wright in Kankakee will host a Decades Trivia Night inside the historic B. Harley Bradley House at 701 South Harrison Avenue in Kankakee on Friday, February 13th from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Attendees are encouraged to dress according to their favorite decade and prizes will be awarded to the top three winning teams. Only 50 tickets will be sold, so don’t delay. You can purchase them online for $10 at “Wright 1900 (dot) org (slash) Events” or by calling (815) 936-9630.
The Chebanse Lodge of St Anne #429 Freemasons will host another all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast open to the public on Sunday, February 15th from 8 to 11am at 80 East First South Street in Chebanse. The breakfast is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and under. First responders on duty in Chebanse, Clifton and Ashkum who show up to this breakfast in uniform, are welcome to eat for free.
The Bradley Lions will host another all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes and sausage and biscuits & gravy on Saturday, February 21st from 7:30 to 11am at the Bradley Community Center on West Broadway Street. The cost is $8 per person. Kids 5 and under eat free. For local delivery of 5 orders or more, call (815) 932-9180. They do not charge a delivery fee.
The Bradley Lions will host an all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes and sausage and biscuits & gravy on Saturday, February 21st from 7:30 to 11am at the Bradley Community Center on West Broadway Street. The cost is $8 per person. Kids 5 and under eat free. For free local delivery of 5 orders or more, call (815) 932-9180.
Downtown Kankakee is bringing your favorite local produce vendors and specialty food producers to the Majestic building on North Schuyler Avenue for a “Winter Market” version of the Kankakee Farmers Market. Enjoy cozy, family-friendly indoor shopping from 8am until noon on the following Saturdays: February 21st and March 14th.
The Iroquois West FFA will hold its Alumni Auction Saturday, February 21st at the high school gymnasium in Gilman. A free pork chop supper and a silent auction will begin at 4pm. The live auction starts at 5pm. All funds raised will be used for Iroquois West FFA projects and activities.
The Bonfield Lions Club will host an all-you-can-eat Spaghetti Supper on Saturday, February 21st from 4 to 7pm at 148 Stanford Street in Bonfield. The cost is $10 per person and tickets will be sold at the door.
The Bourbonnais Firefighters Association will hold their 39th Annual Sweetheart Dance at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Kankakee on Saturday, February 21st. There will be live music, dancing, raffles, door prizes, split-the-pot and a cash bar. Doors will open at 6pm and the “Endless Summer Band” starts at 8pm. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased at the door, or in advance at the Bourbonnais Fire Station.
The Rensselaer Central High School FFA chapter will hold its annual Scholarship Pork Chop Dinner on Sunday, February 22nd from 5 to 7pm. You’re advised to purchase tickets in advance from an FFA member, but can still pay at the door while supplies last. This will be held in the RCHS cafeteria on East Grace Street in Rensselaer, Indiana.
Clove Alliance invites you to join the movement against sexual violence by attending their upcoming volunteer training session. This will begin on Monday, February 23rd and run through March 5th on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, with an additional daytime session on Saturday, February 28th. Once trained, volunteers will be able to help spread awareness about the organization’s services, connect individuals in need with essential resources, and serve on Clove Alliance’s 24-Hour Crisis Hotline. Those interested should email the Director of Volunteer Services via “Brittany (at) Clove Alliance (dot) org”.
The Salvation Army of Kankakee will host their annual Daddy-Daughter Dance on Saturday, February 28th from 2 to 4pm at 148 North Harrison Avenue in Kankakee. Enjoy an afternoon with dinner, games, a DJ and door prizes. Tickets are $20 for Daddy and $10 per daughter. Purchase them in advance at the Salvation Army or by scanning the QR code that can be found on the “Salvation Army Kankakee” facebook page.
A spaghetti dinner fundraiser called “Pasta for Paws” will be held on Saturday, February 28th from 4 to 7pm in the Bourbonnais Municipal Center at 600 Main Street Northwest. Meal tickets are $10. Children 5 to 12 eat for just $5, and those under 5 eat for free. Carry-out will be available. There will also be raffle baskets. Funds raised during this dinner will support the “New Beginnings For Cats” animal rescue.
MARCH
The Chebanse American Legion Post 408 and its Auxiliary will host a Fish Fry in the Chebanse Community Building on Friday, March 6th from 5 to 7pm. For $12 you’ll get fried fish with potato salad, coleslaw, chips and a drink. It’s just $6 for children 6 to 12, and those 5 and under eat for free. There will also be a hot dog option for the kids. Available for dine-in or carry-out, this will take place at 185 South Chestnut Street.
The Manteno Girl Scouts will host a Daddy-Daughter dance with a “Wicked” theme on Friday, March 13th inside the Manteno Elementary School from 6 to 8pm. An evening of music, dancing, photos, snacks and enchanting fun. Tickets are $25 per daddy/daughter couple and $5 for each additional child. To register, email “Gabes Mama 7611 (at) gmail (dot) com”.
The Watseka Kiwanis Club will host their annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast on Saturday, March 14th from 7 to 10am in Saint Edmund Church at 219 East Locust Street in Watseka. The cost will be $10 per person, but children 5 and under can eat for free. The Easter Bunny will be there beginning at 8am to take pictures with the children.
The Beaverville Volunteer Fire Department will host its annual Pork Chop Dinner on Sunday, March 15th from 4 to 7pm in the Parish Hall at 308 Saint Charles Street. They will serve Boudin (“boo-dan”) sausage as well. The price will be $15 for a two-meat dinner, or $12 for single meat. This includes a baked potato, apple sauce, green beans and a dinner roll. There will be discounted pricing for children 9 and under
The 10th Annual “Women United Breakfast” will be held in Bourbonnais on Wednesday, March 18th at Olivet Nazarene University’s Chalfant Hall. This event is designed to bring local leaders, advocates and community members together for a morning of inspiration, networking and philanthropy. Proceeds will be distributed to nonprofit programs serving women and girls through United Way’s Annual Impact Grants. Doors will open at 8:15am. The program will go on from 9am until noon. Get info and purchase your tickets now at “My United Way (dot) org”.
The Manteno United Methodist Women in Faith will hold a Craft Fair and Bake Sale on Saturday, March 28th from 9am to 2pm in the church on West Second Street in Manteno. They will have lunch available for purchase and Nothing Bundt Cakes will be there selling treats. You may call Sue Ross for additional information at (815) 405-5021 or email your questions to “Manteno UFW Craft Fair (at) gmail (dot) com”.
MAY
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)
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