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.

A charity run from Bloomington-Normal to Peoria turns 40 this year. It was the first of more than 30 satellite fundraisers convening in Peoria by foot. Proceeds support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its affiliate clinics across the country — the first of which opened in Peoria in 1972.

Thomas Metcalf School sixth-graders designed and built a tiny house that Home Sweet Home Ministries will put in its shelter village.

Fathers and father figures enjoyed a fun day of fishing at Miller Park, hosted by a McLean County coalition aimed at strengthening dads' relationships with their kids.

LeRoy's T-ball Spectacular was the biggest and last event of the 2025 season. The event drew a large crowd to the town of around 3,500 southeast of Bloomington-Normal.

Shriners Children's hosted a "Hospital Experience" event ahead of a football game benefiting the children's hospital with locations in St. Louis and Chicago.