Every year starting in late October, the red Toys for Tots boxes start appearing in nearby businesses, institutions and restaurants in Bloomington-Normal. The 110 drop boxes remain fairly vacant until the holiday shopping season.

The Bloomington-Normal Deaf Club is bringing holiday festivities to kids who often miss out on some of the fun the season can bring. They started with an ASL class at University High School.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources recently named Dave Glacinski of Lexington one of its 2025 outstanding volunteers of the year.

Jadon Nafziger has been competitively shooting for five years. His talent and training are taking him places.

In this glued-to-your-phone era of technological isolation from our fellow human beings, one creative person is turning to old tech to help people reconnect and spread joy and a little art. As part of our ongoing feature series More of That, Please, we bring you the story of typewriter poetry.

Spreading Peace and Acts of Random Kindness in Blo-No, or SPARK, teaches children the importance of empathy and helping their local communities.

A new Bloomington-based nonprofit — Maddie's HOPE [Helping Other People with Epilepsy] — is raising funds to create a support network in the area. The group is hosting an all-ages bowling event on Sept. 21, at Pheasant Lanes.

The Illinois Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 18,000 wishes to kids dealing with chronic illnesses of all kinds. The organization celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

The Promise Council of McLean County completed the District 87 leg of its Caring Adults program Wednesday.

ISU's annual Front-Yard Freecycle event offered new and returning students on campus to claim dorm room and apartment must haves with no charge.