Naperville News Digest: Reopening events set for two new playgrounds; state senator holding donation drive for women vets; church holding benefit concert, auction for Ukraine – Chicago Tribune

2022-06-11 00:00:17 By : Mr. guoqing wang

Naperville Park District is holding a reopening celebration Tuesday for the playground located on the east side of Frontier Sports Complex. (Naperville Park District / HANDOUT)

Reopening celebrations are planned for two playgrounds newly renovated by the Naperville Park District.

The first event will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at the east side of Frontier Sports Complex, located at 3415 Book Road, and the second at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, Kingshill Park at 4271 White Eagle Drive.

Refreshments and giveaways will be provided and the new equipment ready to use, a news release said.

“The equipment is selected based on input from residents in the neighborhood and the layout of the park,” Director of Planning Eric Shutes said in the release. “The playground pieces are designed to be accessible, safe and fun for all kids.”

In the event of inclement weather, the celebrations will be rescheduled for 5 p.m. on the following day. Closure and cancellation information is available at www.napervilleparks.org/cancellations.

To celebrate the first Women Veterans Day in Illinois, state Sen. Laura Ellman, D-Naperville, is hosting a donation drive in Naperville to benefit women serving overseas.

Donations can be dropped off in the parking lot of the former Butera store, 1270 E. Chicago Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, June 12.

Requested donation items are menstrual products, lip balm, lotion, sunscreen, hair brushes and ties, nail clippers and files, toothbrushes and paste, disposable razors, hand warmers and sewing kits.

In honor of Flag Day on June 14, community members can also drop off old or damaged American flags at the event to be disposed of properly.

For more information, call 630-601-9961.

Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville is hosting a Benefit Night for Ukraine from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. Friday, June 10, featuring a concert presented by local musicians and singers and a silent auction of artwork, photography and other items.

Admission is free. All donations made will go to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance fund.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance provides critical humanitarian aid, including food, shelter, medicines, diapers, hygiene items and more. They work with trusted partners in Ukraine and in Eastern and Central Europe.

The church is located at 1105 Catalpa Lane. For more information, call 630-306-1362 or send email to tljrose@sbcglobal.net.

Blanket makers participating in the Homeless Memorial Blanket Project will come together from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, June 10, at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Naperville to assemble a single complete blanket to be given to a homeless child.

Participants will be dedicating materials, time and talent to raise awareness about homelessness.

The Homeless Memorial Blanket Project is preparing a display of blankets to cover 9,000 square feet of the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on Dec. 21, 2022. Volunteers in each state are being asked to make at least 100 blankets, providing 10 for the Capitol Lawn display and donating another 90 or more to outreach programs in their area.

Anyone interested in participating in this project can sign up for their state at https://memorialblanket.org.