ShareFest Will County, which is billed as a monthlong festival of sharing and caring, officially has been underway since Sept. 1, with the welcoming of donations of all sorts of items — from books to home goods to pet supplies and more — that others would find useful.
But the primary events of ShareFest, which started in 2007 and also is known as ShareFest New Lenox, are set to begin Friday. A 9-11 remembrance and a chance for Will County residents to explore employment opportunities are on the schedule.
“We do put on the Sept. 11 Patriot Day. … which is a really beautiful event,” ShareFest New Lenox founder Gary Cheney said. “That day is a day to remember, but it’s also a day to serve, so that allows us enough time to get the community involved in going out and serving others.”
The 9-11 memorial service is to take place at 9:11 a.m. at the firefighters’ memorial at the New Lenox Village Commons, 1 Veterans Parkway. That will be followed by the Job and Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Village Hall, adjacent to the Commons.
Cheney said volunteers and more than 50 employers would assist job seekers, connecting them with opportunities. Also, resumes can be reviewed at the New Lenox Public Library, 120 Veterans Parkway.
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Recyclepalooza is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, offering free disposal of hazardous waste and recyclable and reusable items at several drop-off stations in the parking lot at Spencer Trail School, 1701 S. Spencer Road, New Lenox.
“We’re expecting no less than a thousand vehicles to come to that event,” Cheney said.
Also on Saturday, donations for the Sept. 19 Main Exchange Event will be accepted, Cheney said. Donations can be made at several locations. For a list, visit www.ShareFestNewLenox.com.
The Main Exchange Event is to take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Spencer schools campus.
“On the 19th is when we give everything away,” Cheney said. “The parking lot is jam-packed again. It’s just a great opportunity to love our neighbors.”
Free services at the Main Event include dental exams for students from preschool to 12th grade, haircuts, health screenings and legal services, among others.
Pete Beno, owner of the New Lenox-based Metalurgical Psycle Lab, will bring his mobile bike shop for free bicycle repair throughout the day.
New this year, Cheney said, is an art fair with artwork by Father Don Bates, which includes 80 of his paintings.
A book giveaway and/or exchange and pet fair are among the other free activities, Cheney said.
“The whole of Will County is welcome to attend the events as well as to donate or exchange items,” he said. “The only thing we ask is to pay it forward.”
Donations already are being collected and can be dropped off at St. Jude Catholic Church, 241 W. Second Ave., or Standard Bank & Trust, 456 Nelson Road, both in New Lenox.
To volunteer for ShareFest, call (815) 342-2199 or email [email protected].
For more information, call (815) 342-2199 or visit www.ShareFestNewLenox.com.
Ginger Brashinger is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.