Donation shopping event at Ten Thousand Villages
Dec. 5, 6 – 8 p.m., Located at 121 N. Marion St.
A portion of purchases made at Ten Thousand Villages, an ethical artisanal goods store, will be donated to Austin Coming Together on Dec. 5. The retailer offers fair-trade crafts and decor, including housewares, jewelry and scarves. From 6 to 8 p.m., 15% of all purchases made at the Oak Park location will be donated to Austin Coming Together.
Toy and coat drive at Loretto Hospital
Toy donations accepted through Dec. 12, coats and clothes through Dec. 31, Loretto Hospital
Loretto Hospital is hosting a coat drive for patients in need of winter clothing. The coat drive runs through Dec. 21, and is accepting new or slightly used items. The hospital is looking for winter clothing like boots, coats, scarves, pants, hats and gloves. The hospital is also accepting unwrapped toys for its annual toy drive for children ages one to 12. Loretto is also looking for new, unwrapped toys for its toy drive, and will accept donations in a box near the hospital’s front entrance until Dec. 12. For more information about the coat drive, contact crystal.carey@lorettohospital.org. View the flyer : https://ow.ly/hYH550UcOYT. You can also donate to the toy drive online: https://ow.ly/gvM750UcP0U. 645 South Central Ave.
League of Women Voters higher education info-session
Dec. 5, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Virtual event
The League of Women Voters of Illinois is hosting a discussion about funding and equal access to higher education with Ralph Martire, the executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, and a professor of public policy at Roosevelt University. During the virtual event, attendees can learn about fiscal and education policy related to colleges in Illinois. Learn more about the event: https://www.lwvil.org/events-calendar. Register for the event: https://ow.ly/Xviu50UcP31
Winter Flower show at the Conservatory
Open Nov. 27 to Jan. 5, Garfield Park Conservatory
The Garfield Park Conservatory’s annual Winter Flower Show begins this month. The show, “Snowflakes,” includes macroscopic photos of snow crystals that hang above flower and plant arrangements. Conifer, fir, and cedar trees along with themed poinsettia flowers will be at the conservatory through Jan. 5. Registration for the flower show is included with the general reservation for entering the conservatory. Registration is free for Chicago residents. Register here: https://garfieldconservatory.org/visit/ and find out more information about the flower show https://ow.ly/IXR450UcOQU
A Very Austin Christmas
Dec. 6, 5 to 8 p.m., Located at 600 N. Lorel Ave.
See live reindeer and take photos with Santa at this year’s “A Very Austin Christmas” event hosted by Austin Coming Together and the 600 Block of Lorel Block Club. At the holiday event, participants can see live reindeer up-close, and enjoy festive treats and family-fun activities. This free Christmas event is open to the community. View the flyer: https://ow.ly/A4sc50UcP4j
Correction, Nov. 26, 2024, 10:30 a.m.: Due to inaccurate information provided, an earlier version of this article gave the wrong date for when Loretto Hospital’s toy drive ends. The toy drive will be until Dec. 12, and collections will take place near the hospital’s front entrance.