State Rep. Bob Pritchard is interviewed on Springfield. The state lawmaker will hold a town hall meeting for his constituents Jan. 28.

DeKALB 

Annual winter event is Jan. 29 

Family oriented winter activities are planned for POLARpalooza 2017, 1-4 p.m. Jan. 29. Admission is free to the 3rd annual POLARpalooza, which will be held at Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road, DeKalb.

The tentative schedule of activities for 1-4 p.m. is:

• Skate rental
• Winter scavenger hunt
• Free s’mores and hot chocolate
• Photos with the POALRpalooza Penguin and Snowman
• Winter Sports School (slacklining, disc golf, knot lessons and more outdoor adventures)

Other activities and times are:

• Snowman building contest (1-3 p.m.)
• Winter crafts (1-3:30 p.m.)
• NIU mascot (1-2 p.m.)
• Bike rides with North Central Cyclery (2-2:30 p.m. and 3-3:30 p.m.)
• Figure skating demonstrations (1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.)
• Birding hike (1:30 p.m.)
• Dog sledding demonstration with Raven’s Huskies (3-4 p.m.)

More information is available at dekalbparkdistrict.com.

Church to hold monthly breakfast 

Trinity Lutheran Church will host its monthly all-you-can-eat Country Breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m Jan. 28, at 303 S. Seventh St., DeKalb. The meal costs $8 for adults and $3 for children. Youngsters younger than 3 eat for free.

American Red Cross seeks blood donations 

The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelet donors after about 37,000 fewer donations were given in November and December than expected. Blood is usually in critical low supply after the holidays. The Red Cross needs 14,000 blood donations each day to meet the needs of patients nationwide.

The Red Cross collects 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, providing blood to 2,600 hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide. Blood is needed for many medical reasons and procedures, such as accidents, surgeries, organ and blood marrow transplants, sickle-cell anemia and for patients battling cancer.

Locally, Heartland Blood Center, 2428 Sycamore Road, DeKalb, collects blood. Call (815) 758-7280 to donate. SYCAMORE

SYCAMORE

Homeless fundraiser goal is to offset $75,000 in cuts 

Hope Haven’s annual fundraiser promises to be the good time its supporters look forward to, but its importance is heightened. The goal of the fourth annual Sheltering Hope Hoedown is to raise $75,000 to offset $87,000 in state and federal funding cuts.

The money is used to help homeless individuals and families. The benefit will be held 6-11 p.m. Jan. 28 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Memorial Hall, 322 Waterman St., Sycamore. It will feature a chuckwagon dinner by Tom and Jerry’s Catering by Diann, silent action, 50/50 raffle and a performance by the Ethan Bell Band from Chicago.

Last year, the event raised approximately $60,000 to benefit the homeless. In the four years that the DeKalb-based organization has held this fundraiser, a bigger venue had to be found each year to accommodate the large turnout.

Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door, and are available online at hopehavendekalb.com or at Tom & Jerry’s, 1670 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore.

Fundraiser to help Pay-it-Forward efforts 

A good gesture can help you pay it forward. The Sycamore VFW and Country Store & Catering invite the community to a fundraising dinner to benefit Pay-It-Forward House, a health care hospitality house that provides a supportive and caring home-away-from-home for friends and family of patients receiving medical treatment in DeKalb County.

The organization will be serving an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 3 at the VFW, 121 S. California St., Sycamore. The menu will include barbecue chicken and rib tips, rotisserie pork sandwiches, country style baked beans, steakhouse potato salad, creamy apple coleslaw, rolls and dessert.

It is through the hospitality and generosity of local volunteers and donors that Pay-It-Forward House operates, and, like the VFW, not only serves those in need, but provides a source of volunteer opportunities and camaraderie for like-minded community members.

Tickets purchased in advance cost $13 for adults and $6 for children age 10 and younger. Tickets will be available at the door at a cost of $14 for adults and $6 for children. Tickets are available at the following Sycamore locations: Sycamore VFW, 121 S. California St.; Country Store & Catering, 456 N. Main St.; and Pay-It-Forward House, 719 Somonauk St. For information, call Pay-It-Forward House at (815) 762-4882 or email director@payitforwardhouse.org.

STATE 

Pritchard holds town meeting 

State Rep. Bob Pritchard will lead a public discussion of current state issues and legislation at a town hall meeting 10 a.m. Jan. 28, to be held at the Lincoln Inn, 240 E. Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb. Residents are invited to attend, participate and enjoy discussion over coffee.

The 100th General Assembly has assembled, and hundreds of pieces of legislation have been filed to address various issues in Illinois including the lack of a state budget. Pritchard said residents need to understand the issues and they can share their views.

The 70th District includes portions of DeKalb, Kane and Boone counties. Comments and ideas can also be shared with the legislator by contacting his local office at 2600 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, calling (815) 748-3494 or e-mailing Bob@PritchardStateRep.com.