Community fundraiser, challenge and more.
Libertyville
Open house and fundraiser: The Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society welcomes visitors to experience a Victorian Christmas with tours of the Ansel B. Cook Victorian Museum, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave. It will be open after the tree lighting Friday, from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12 and from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 and 13. The Cook House, an 1878 home listed on the National Register of Historic Places, opened in 1975 as a Victorian museum, representing the years the Cook family was in residence. The house will be decked out in Christmas finery adding to the beautiful furnishings and artifacts on display. Highlights of the tour will include a fully-decorated Christmas tree, seven Italian marble fireplaces, and the carved oak. Also, the historical society kicks off the “Save Mr. Cook from the Sun” fundraising campaign for installation of ultraviolet (UV) blocking film on the Cook House windows. Suggested donations for the tour are $2, and $1 for seniors and students. All donations received during the holiday season will be earmarked for the “Save Mr. Cook from the Sun” project targeted to begin in spring 2016. Donations will also be accepted by mail to Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048 or online at www.lmhistory.org.
Waukegan
Fundraiser: The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office’s Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) will host a fundraiser for its Healing Garden at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Glen Flora Country Club, 2200 N. Sheridan Road. The Healing Garden will symbolize the power of healing and give victims the strength to know that there is hope. The Center works in conjunction with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and local Lake County police departments to investigate children who have been physically and sexually abused. The garden will be located at the CAC in Gurnee. It will allow children and their families to reflect in a safe space, free of shame and fear. The CAC is a 501(c)3 organization. All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit CAC’s Healing Garden. Ticket prices are $40 and will include hors d’oeuvres. A silent auction will be held and will include hundreds of items that have been donated by local businesses, families and organizations. For tickets and information, call 847-377-3000 or email [email protected]. The deadline for the purchase of tickets is Dec. 1. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Food Drive: The Waukegan Park District is hosting its annual Food for Paws Holiday Pet Food Drive through Dec. 12. All donations will be given to WAGS (Waukegan Animals Getting Saved), a local organization that works to offset some of the costs involved in caring for homeless animals at Waukegan Animal Control. Families facing hardships sometimes have difficulty caring for their beloved pets. They may reach the point where they feel the need to surrender their pet to a shelter or animal control. Sometimes even a small donation of food or medicine will enable a family to keep their pet instead of surrendering it. Those interested can drop off donations of unopened cans or bags of pet food, rawhide chews, as well as new pet toys and supplies. The greatest need is for dry food, but all kinds and types of pet food are appreciated. Look for collection boxes at the following locations: Belvidere Recreation Center, 412 S. Lewis Ave., Field House Sports and Fitness Center, 800 N. Baldwin Ave., and Jack Benny Center for the Arts at 39 Jack Benny Drive. For more information, call 847-360-4700.
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