Locations in Elmhurst and Downers Grove are still accepting donations of winter coats: Elmhurst Public Library throughout Jan. 12, and Downers Grove’s village hall, police department and public works department headquarters through Jan. 11.

COUNTY

Camps provide opportunities to connect to nature

DuPage County has more than 25 programs to help reduce children’s screen time and introduce them to the natural world, and registration is now open to residents for a lineup of summer outdoor day camps for youngsters and teens through the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County at dupageforest.org/camps. Registration for nonresidents begins Feb. 1.

New this year, the district is now offering supervised lunch breaks and playtime before and after some camps. Programs with a B offer playtime before camps 8-9 a.m. for $45; those with an L offer supervised lunch breaks noon-12:30 p.m. for $15, and programs with an A offer playtime after camps 3-5:30 p.m. Unless noted, camps are $150 for DuPage residents and $175 for nonresidents.

The district offers gift cards that can be used to pay for summer camps as well as other District programs, permits, equipment rental and merchandise. To purchase a gift card, call Visitor Services at 630-933-7248 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, email forest@dupageforest.org or stop by district headquarters or an education center. For all other questions and more information, call 630-933-7247.

ELMHURST, DOWNERS GROVE

Public still has time to donate winter clothing

Elmhurst Public Library and village of Downers Grove staffs are in the final days of their efforts to collect winter clothing for area needy.

At the library, donations are being accepted through Jan. 12 in the library’s lobby, 125 S. Prospect Ave. Most needed items are new or gently used thick scarves, waterproof/ski gloves, and winter coats in extra-large sizes. Also, needed are new hats and undergarments for men and women in extra-large sizes. Donations may be brought to the library from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 9-Jan. 11 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan 12.

Downers Grove’s municipal sites are accepting new or clean and gently used coats at several locations throughout the village through Jan. 11. Coat drive collection boxes are located at: 

• Downers Grove Police Station, 825 Burlington Ave.
• Downers Grove Public Works, 5101 Walnut Ave. 
• Downers Grove Village Hall, 801 Burlington Ave. 

The coats will be donated to help Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, Sharing Connections and other charitable organizations.

NAPERVILLE

Holiday lights being accepted for recycling through March 29

Naperville residents can get rid of their festive lights by recycling them. The city accepts lights year-round at its Electronics Recycling Center on Fort Hill Drive, but through March 29, additional places are open and accepting holiday lights for recycling. 

Residents can drop off lights at Naperville Public Works, 180 Fort Hill Drive, and at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 Eagle St., from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday until March 29. 

The following lights eligible for recycling include:

• C7 lights,
• C9 lights,
• LED lights,
• Mini-lights and
• Rope lights.

Humane Society plans holiday camp

The Naperville Area Humane Society, 1620 W. Diehl Road, Naperville, is holding a Holiday Camp for Dogs (and their humans) from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Jan. 21. Through crafts, games, and activities, children ages 8-11 can learn how the Naperville Area Humane Society cares for its animals and how to be safe around all animals. Each camp will have specific lessons designed to educate and entertain campers. The session costs $50. Go to naperhumane.org to register and for more information.

WINFIELD

Seminar will re-examine Social Security benefits

Information about when to collect Social Security will be given Jan. 15 during a free session led by a retirement expert. Starting at 7 p.m., retirement expert Greg Kurinec of Bentron Financial Group will speak at the Winfield Public Library, 0S291 Winfield Road.

The session will help people gauge where their unique circumstances fit into the bigger Social Security picture. Advance registration is recommended and can be done by contacting Dawn Leardi at 630-653-7599 or online at winfield.lib.il.us/.

Kurinec’s talk will cover a range of topics, including the benefits of taking Social Security, when to begin taking them to maximize your return, how the benefits are affected when you work while receiving them, taxation of Social Security benefits, and spousal/widow benefits.

The interactive meeting will cover a range of relevant issues session for those who have not yet begun receiving Social Security benefits or are eligible and mulling when to begin the process.

Kurinec will dispute conventional wisdom that encourages retirees to collect Social Security benefits as early as possible. With older people living longer, the more they wait to collect, the more they will earn. The earliest age a person can collect Social Security is 62. However, Kurinec will explain how the benefit is reduced by 30 percent if Social Security is taken that early—and by age 72 to 75, the advantage of early benefits has evaporated.

LISLE

Park district to hold summer job fair

Lisle Park District staff and supervisors will explain what jobs the park district will have this summer at a job fair, to be held 3-6 p.m. Jan. 10, at the Lisle Recreation Center, MP 1 and 2, 1925 Ohio St. Laptops will be available for prospective job applicants who want to apply online. Some available jobs include camps, aquatics, parks and grounds and facilities. No registration for the job fair necessary. For more information, go to lisleparkdistrict.org.

–DuPage County News Briefs–