Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record North Shore. The Record North Shore is a nonpartisan community newsroom dedicated to the North Shore suburbs of Chicago. Joe spoke about the non-political nature of his publication, which is a non-profit and endeavors to bring unbiased, straightforward news of interest to the North Shore. He stressed the importance of feedback and information from his readers to keep the news stories current and relevant. Although The Record is free, a subscirption can be purchased which helps to keep the publication going. Joe was candid about need to keep the publication objective and report on newsworthy events that the public wants to know about.
Welcome!
January Lunch-packing for the homeless
February Wine Tasting Party
March Kinds Against Hunger Event
April Tour of Wilmette Theater
Building wells for fresh water in Angola
May Hope Walk for the Homeless
May Hope Walk
Memorial Day Parade
June Installation of New President
New President - Mariana Alfar
August Beach Clean-up
September Block Party Wilmette
September Block Party
September Trivia Night
RI President and Mariana Alfar
October End Polio Now
October Happy Hour
November Warm Coat Distribution Evanston
November Coats for Kids Chicago
December New Trier Choir Peforms at Happy Hour
December Holiday Party
Lucy Mellen, Sustainability Coordinator for the Village of Wilmette and Wilmette Park District gave an excellent and informative presentation about what "sustainability" is, what it looks like in Wilmette, and what you can do at home to be more environmentally-conscious. Lucy enthusiastically related the projects that are ongoing and planned in Wilmette, including creating and maintaining native habitats, conserving water, reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency and educatiing residents on the importance of sustainability.
The morning group heard from Paul Boer with the Chicago Furniture Bank. This non-profit organization founded in July of 2018, serves as an intermediary between Chicagoans who have extra furniture and those who need it. They provide furnishing packages to clients in need that include beds, couches, armchairs, dressers, desks, end tables, coffee tables, kitchen tables + chairs, dishware, rugs, lamps, artwork, mirrors, and more. As of 2023, the Chicago Furniture Bank has furnished over 13,000 homes for over 21,000 people and given away furniture weighing over 6,000 tons. Each home furnished by the Chicago Furniture Bank provides stability, dignity, and comfort to a Chicagoan in need.
The noon group heard from Sarah Murphy of Toes n' Water. This grass-roots organization's mission is to make those who love and use Lake Michigan become aware of how to protect it, explore it, and adore it. Through educational workshops, beach clean-ups, and everyday tips, they hope to make it easy for people to become "guardians" of Lake Michigan.
Tracy Mc Keithen, Executive Director of Family Promise Chicago NorthShore (FPC) spoke to us about her organization. FPC helps families with young children find stability and new homes. Last year FPC also helped 1000 individuals. FPC has been performing these services since 2010 to help families who are homeless (or at risk of being homeless) to get back on their feet and provide stable lifestyles for their children.
FPC provides food, shelter, sleeping facilities, education and work training to its participants. It intervenes with landlords to help keep the needy from being displaced without cause; it provides summer camps for the children of working parents; it provides information about tenants’ rights and responsibilities, how to avoid eviction, how to do “life skills” functions such as use of laundry equipment, and how to save some money for emergencies.
FPC offers families a daytime location with a mailing address and a place for their children to get picked up for school. Presently they have approximately 28 local church congregations and other organizations who help the FPC program.
The Village is introducing the continuation and expansion of the collection drive for the migrants being bussed to Wilmette as Welcome Wednesdays. By limiting the drop-off of items to Wednesdays only, the Village and our volunteers can ensure the continued organization of items. You may continue to bring items to the Metra at any time on Wednesdays.
The expansion of the Welcome Wednesdays collection drive now includes needed hygiene products and school supplies in partnership with Nuevos Vecinos, Share Our Spare, and Cradles to Crayons.
The expansion of the Welcome Wednesdays collection drive now includes needed hygiene products and school supplies in partnership with Nuevos Vecinos, Share Our Spare, and Cradles to Crayons.
Accepted donations: Warm winter coats, hats, gloves, socks, new underwear (bikini and boxer briefs only), sports bras, long underwear, jeans, sweatpants, sweatshirts, snowpants, children’s gloves, full-size toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, deodorant, diapers, and maxi pads.
NOTE: Please only bring items that are appropriate for winter weather. Please do not bring anything that is dry clean only. Seasonally inappropriate items cannot be accepted.
If you would like to drop off items on different days, we encourage you to support our partner organizations directly via the drop-off sites listed below. Alternatively, if you need to drop off items at the Metra station on a day other than Wednesday, please label and sort the items appropriately.
If you would like to drop off items on different days, we encourage you to support our partner organizations directly via the drop-off sites listed below. Alternatively, if you need to drop off items at the Metra station on a day other than Wednesday, please label and sort the items appropriately.
Additional Drop-Off Sites : Nuevos Vecinos 8049 Ridgeway Ave., Skokie ; Drop-Off Hours: Please text Michele at 312-972-2287: or
Drop off bin at Chia Leah, 3217 Lake Ave., or Community House of Winnetka, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka; Drop-Off Hours: Any time during Chia Leah or Community House open hours.
If you would like to volunteer to help sort the donations, you can sign up to a specific time slot using the form SIGNUP
Member John Kessler has restarted a long-standing project to collect eyeglasses. The former Wilmette Harbor Rotary had been doing this project for many years. Collection stations have been placed in the post offices in Wilmette, Kenilworth and Winnetka. In association with the Lion's Club, the eyeglasses collected are recycled and distributed to those who need them, locally and abroad. Contact John if you want to assist in this. kesslermfgi@aol.com
Our Motto: Service Above Self
Wilmette, IL 60091
United States of America