KidsMatter presents 2025 Youth Service Award to 22 students
Nearly two dozen students were presented with KidsMatter 2025 Youth Service Awards for their volunteer contributions to 15 local nonprofit organizations.
The were recognized earlier this month by KidsMatter, Naperville Mayor Scott Wehrli and the Naperville City Council.
Awards were given to Daniela Arias for her work with the Naperville Park District; Peter Carroll for his work with Team Tutors 204; Estella Czech, The Morton Arboretum; and William Shields, Naper Settlement.
Juliana Filapek was recognized for volunteering at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; Abigail Gerhard for supporting the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation; Emerson Hebel for Feed My Starving Children; Sofie Hodgson for West Suburban Community Pantry; and Suri Mishra for the DuPage Children’s Museum.
Sami Jones and Tommy Kacedan were recognized for their work with Little Friends Inc. Lukas Keane and Neil Sekhri volunteered at the Alive Centers for Teens.
Recognized for their work with the Naperville Public Library were Shriya Kunnanath and Ritisha Ojha.
Bo Evans and Grace Parli were honored for their contributions to 360 Youth Services. Taylor Ferritto and Maya Singal volunteered with Endeavor Health Edward Hospital.
Recognized for their volunteer work with KidsMatter included Rachel Chen, Noah Eun and Simran Tarigopula.
Holiday tree lighting set for Nov. 19 at Naper Settlement
Naper Settlement will host its holiday tree lighting ceremony and festivities from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19.
In addition to the evergreen tree near the main entrance, many of the buildings at the settlement, 523 S. Webster St., will be illuminated for the holidays.
The lighting ceremony will take place at 5:15 p.m., and the evening will also feature hot drinks, cookies and visits with Santa.
Admission is free, but registration is required at www.napersettlement.org.
Donations sought for West Suburban Community Food Pantry
First Congregational Church of Naperville and the Naperville Country Club are among the area drop-off locations collecting nonperishable food for the West Suburban Community Food Pantry.
Food can be donated between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 2 and 9, at the First Congregational UCC, 25 E. Benton Ave. Naperville Sunrise Rotary will collect donations from 8 to 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at the country club, 25W570 Chicago Ave.
The food pantry serves about 1,000 households each week and saw a 15% increase in visits last year, a news release said.
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Items needed include canned meats, peanut butter, cereal, rice, pasta, and canned fruits and vegetables, the release said.
Other drop-off locations are Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliff Road; Bolingbrook Park District Recreation and Aquatic Complex, 200 Lindsey Lane; and Bolingbrook Park District Annerino Community Center, 201 Recreation Drive, all in Bolingbrook; and ARC Woodridge, 8201 Janes Ave., in Woodridge.
Downers Grove locations include the Downers Grove Park District Recreation Center, 4500 Belmont Road, and the Downers Grove Park District Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave.