JOLIET — Monday was not about a day off for one large group who gathered to ease the strain for local social service agencies.

They spent part of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday doing odd jobs — things like scrubbing kitchens, cleaning out basements and sorting toys for at a homeless shelter — all to honor the memory of the man who inspired the day of service.

Volunteers, adults and some children filled large, round tables set up in the gymnasium of Mount Zion Baptist church before 9 a.m. Monday, all waiting to participate in an annual community service project organized by the Community Services Council of Will County, Inc....

...As the event grew and more people became interested in volunteering, Evans began to work with the United Way of Will County and Joliet Township Clerk Beth Ann May to better coordinate volunteers with projects in the area.

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A scream pierced the darkness Thursday night in downtown Joliet. It was followed by several cackles as more than 1,000 area women dusted off their brooms and found their inner witch for the second annual Witches’ Night Out at the Joliet Renaissance Center.

This year, proceeds will go to Spanish Community Center Daycare, Stepping Stones and Lamb’s Fold, all United Way agencies that benefit women. For more information, go to witchesnightout.com.

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The United Way of Will County kicked off its annual campaign on Tuesday night, seeking to mobilize the generosity of local businesses and individuals.

For more than 75 years, the organization has served this community, and many people have given their time to help those who are less fortunate, said Mike Hennessy, president and chief executive officer of the local agency.

“We’re so grateful for all of you to be here, to celebrate the launching of our campaign to help 45 local agencies that do so much to help our community,” Hennessy said.

Beth Hughes, president and chief executive officer of Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, returns as campaign chairperson.

She addressed an enthusiastic audience Tuesday in the ballroom of the Renaissance Center

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JOLIET — Heralded as one of the community’s most successful charity events of 2010, Witches’ Night Out once again prepares for an evening of good-spirited fun by seeking sponsors and vendors for the 2011 fundraiser benefiting women in the community.

Scheduled for 4:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Joliet Junior College’s Renaissance Center, 214 N. Ottawa St., and the adjacent Joliet Area Historical Museum, this year’s event promises to exceed last year’s attendance when hundreds of community women in their best “witch wear” participated in an evening of shopping, music, food, drink and fun.

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Westfield Louis Joliet hosted its second annual Westfield Works Wonders 5K Event on Aug. 13. The 5K race, an event which started and finished at the shopping center, raised more than $5,700 for the United Way of Will County.

“This is the second year we have proudly hosted this event in support of the United Way and our community,” said Kate Knuth, general manager of Westfield Louis Joliet. “The generosity of the runners, attendees, volunteers and staff, along with perfect weather, made for a proud day in our shopping center’s history.”

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The United Way of Will County did not reach its fund-raising goal. … They surpassed it.

This year, United Way of Will County beat its campaign goal of $3,800,001 by raising $3,805,715 — about $5,700 over the goal, said campaign Chairwoman Beth Hughes, who admitted she wanted to add a bit of drama by pausing between the alleged bad news and the good news at Wednesday night’s banquet dinner at the Renaissance Center.

This year’s campaign brought in about $83,538 more than had been raised at this time last year.

“The economy was not an excuse, but rather used as a driving force to raise more money to help more people,” said Hughes, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center.

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Thank You Banquet
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Joliet Renaissance Center

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

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Listeners around the globe can download their free iPhone application for WLRA-FMand listen to holiday music 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from Nov. 26-Jan. 1. Newly released Christmas music from new artists Susan Boyle and Jackie Evancho can also be heard.

The application connects listeners to the 11th annual “Christmas Memories for You and Your Family,” a benefit broadcast for the United Way of Will County. Instead of commercials, WLRA will air brief public service announcements every 15 minutes about United Way agencies in Will County.

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Through the years, more than $250,000 has been raised to help inhabitants of Will County to enjoy a happier holiday season. Though the past several years have been particularly challenging for those who have suffered reduced wages, unemployment and foreclosure, even those in dire straits have managed to donate a few dollars to help others.

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Vanessa Romeo of Joliet is grinning ear-to-ear these days after hearing her name announced at the Live-United Camaro Raffle drawing at a Joliet JackHammers game at Silver Cross Field.

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The United Way of Will County announced Beth Hughes, executive vice president and COO at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, as the 2010-11 campaign chairwoman for their annual giving campaign.

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