Spartans Without Borders visit aids Bolivian hospital
Making a difference around the world is what the Spartans Without Borders organization at Oak Lawn Community High School is all about, and with that in mind, five recent graduates spent two weeks in Bolivia, one of the poorest countries in the southern hemisphere.
Bolivia has an inflation rate of nearly 15% and shortages of medical supplies, food and fuel, per a news release.
Isaac Bayas, Marco Budzrak, Emiliano Lopez, Belal Moutaouakkil and Eli Kulspinski spent their senior year raising more than $25,000 to help people in Amachuma, Bolivia, and to learn about the culture. While there, they helped continue construction of Bethel Hospital, visited the U.S. embassy in La Paz, played soccer with local children and traveled to Machu Picchu in Peru.
Thus far, the service-led group, established in 2004, has raised more than $275,000 to help fund trips overseas for compassionate student volunteers. Money raised has contributed to building rural hospitals in Bolivia and Kenya. Donations from the community are welcome. Contact Spartans Without Borders advisor Chris Repa at 708-203-2254 or [email protected].
Library hosts blood drive this month
The Midlothian Public Library and Vitalant are joining forces for a community blood drive taking place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 29 at the library, 14701 Kenton Ave.
Participants receive a Halloween T-shirt as a thank-you give and can enter a drawing to win one of two $10,000 gift cards. Make an appointment at Vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL and use blood drive code 100564674.
Spaghetti dinner benefits Pathways program, OP church
Pasta lovers can provide a boost to the Pathway to Sobriety program at The Center in Palos Park and Presbyterian Church of Orland Park by attending a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Sept. 26 at the church, 13401 Wolf Road.
Pathway is an Alcoholics Anonymous-based long-term, live-in recovery program for men “that guides addicts to reclaim positive attributes of body, mind, and spirit,” The Center’s website notes. The program’s holistic approach includes counseling and service to the community. Participants are not billed for the service.
Dinner seatings are available at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. The event includes Marko the Magician and raffle baskets. The dinner includes spaghetti, meatballs, garlic bread, a salad bar, spumoni, Italian ice and cookies. Gluten-free pasta and meatballs will be available.
Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children 12 and younger. They are sold at 708-448-8142 or www.pcorlandpark.org.
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Master chorale plans October performances
The South Holland Master Chorale celebrates the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence with two October concerts titled “Celebrate, Reflect and Dream.”
They will be performed at 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at Thorn Creek Reformed Church, 1875 E. 170th St. in South Holland and at 4 p.m. Oct. 11 at St. John Neumann Catholic Parish, 17951 Dixie Highway in Homewood.
The 60-member chorale will perform sacred and secular songs. A reception sponsored by the Village of South Holland after the Oct. 4 concert will honor piano accompanist Marilyn Bourgeois, who has announced she will retire in 2027 after serving in that position since the 1980s.
Admission is free, although donations will be accepted. Find information at www.southollandmasterchorale.org.
Orland Park library hosts exhibit on wolves
The traveling exhibit “Wolves and Wild Lands” will make a stop from Oct. 1 through 31 on the second floor of the Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave.
Six preserved taxidermy wolves will be displayed including a coyote, Arctic wolf, Mexican wolfe, Great Plains wolf, Red wolf and Rocky Mountain wolf, as well as information about their habitat, ecological role and conversation stories. Free copies of “American Wolf” by Nate Blakesless, which tells the true story of Yellowstone National Parks’ wolf O-Six, will be available at the Adult Services Desk and at events while supplies last.
Representatives from Big Run Wolf Ranch in Lockport will share information at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1, and two talks are planned on the book: 10 a.m. Oct. 26 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10.
For other programs related to wolves, visit orlandparklibrary.org or call 708-428-5100.
Stamp, coin collectors invited to show
A coin and stamp show takes place 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Sunday of the month at the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Ave.
Remaining dates this year are Oct. 4, Nov. 1 and Dec. 6. Paper money, collectibles, coins and stamps are included. Dealers can set up at 7 p.m.
Admission and parking are free. Details are at 708-476-7315, [email protected] or 708-275-9520.
Free jazz, swing concert set in Chicago
Fans of swing and jazz can join a free outdoor concert featuring the Megan Curran Combo starring vocalist Vince Clark from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Village Green at Smith Village, 2320 W. 113th Place in Chicago.
Free beer, wine and other beverages will be available for guests. Information is at SmithVillage.com.
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