VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR APRIL 18 RIVER SWEEP
Volunteer registration for the 35th annual DuPage River Sweep cleanup is continues through Sunday, April 5, organizers said.
The annual event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 18, at various locations in DuPage and Will counties. Volunteers will clean up debris in and along the banks of the DuPage River, Salt Creek and its tributaries and will have ecological restoration opportunities, according to a news release from The Conservation Foundation, based in Naperville.
Since 1991 more than 16,000 volunteers have removed 300 tons of garbage from the waterways, including rusty bikes, vehicle parts, tires, toilets and other items. Supplies and technical support will be provided.
To participate, register at www.theconservationfoundation.org/sweep.
50TH ANNIVERSARY YOUTH SOCCER APPAREL ON SALE
Apparel commemorating the 50th anniversary of Naperville Park District’s Naperville Youth Soccer program is on sale through Sunday, March 29.
Available at nys50thapparel.itemorder.com/shop/home
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, a portion of each sale goes to the Naperville Park District’s Fee Assistance Program, which provides recreation opportunities for community members in need, a news release said.Naperville Youth Soccer practices start this week. The program was started in 1976 with the goal of teaching the fundamentals of the sport, good sportsmanship and making friends while having fun, the release said.
“We’re excited to celebrate this milestone with players, coaches — past and present — and the broader community throughout the year,” park district Executive Director Brad Wilson said in the release. “We look forward to continuing to grow NYS so future generations can enjoy the game and carry these recreation traditions forward.”
PINWHEEL GARDEN TO RAISE CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS
Several area organizations will come together Friday, March 28, to create a pinwheel garden to raise awareness for child abuse during April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Exchange Club of Naperville, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, Naperville Junior Woman’s Club Juniorettes and Bikers Against Child Abuse will be placing pinwheels at Safety Town at River Road and Aurora Avenue to be on display through the end of April.
The pinwheel has been a symbol of used by Prevent Child Abuse America since 2008, a news release said. It’s meant to represent a happy, healthy and safe childhood and serve as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in children’s lives, the release said.
Children’s early experiences impact them throughout their lives both positively and negatively, the release said. Kids raised in safe, stable environments are more likely to enjoy good physical and mental health and succeed academically and socially, the release said.
COLLEGE OF DUPAGE TUITION GOING UP IN FALL
College of DuPage will raise its tuition for the 2026-27 academic year by $4 per credit hour for in-district students and $9 per credit hour for out-of-district students.
With the rate increase, tuition and fees starting in the fall semester will be $160 per credit hour for in-district residents and $368 for out-of-district students, a COD news release said.
Out-of-state students will see their costs raise by $11 to $440 per credit hour.
The increases were approved by the college’s board of trustees at its meeting March 19. They will allow College of DuPage to continue to provide academic resources to students amid rising inflation, college President Muddassir Siddiqi said in the release.
COD serves more than 26,000 students each term and is the largest public community college in the state.