It has been seven years since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Those events have forever changed who we are and how we live. The milestone reminds us to appreciate every single day.

Around our towns, we’re fortunate to have Noteworthy Neighbors who volunteer to improve our days.

Friday and Saturday this weekend, Sept. 12 and 13, volunteers have agreed to aid the nonprofit Marklund Homes for people with disabilities.

Volunteers will be outside McDonald’s on Lake Street and Bloomingdale Road participating in a McFry Days fundraiser.

“Our goal is to surpass last year’s amount raised — $1,500,” said Vicki Krystof, communications manager for Marklund Homes.

People who donate their spare change will receive a McDonald’s French fry coupon. For information, contact www.marklund.org.

Meanwhile, Maryann Grygiel of Roselle, has volunteered for members of Trinity Lutheran Church’s Boy Scout Troop 408 to participate in a mock disaster drill at O’Hare International Airport. The drill will begin at 10 a.m. this Saturday, Sept. 13, with an announcement that planes have crashed on the runway. The Scouts will pretend to be burn victims awaiting assistance.
Grygiel’s Scouts are very active. Along with St. Walter’s Boy Scout Troop 194, the Scouts will co-host a fundraiser at Maywood Park Horse Race Track next Thursday, Sept. 18.

The event starts at 6:30 p.m. It includes a buffet dinner and a raffle for a ride in the starter car that lines up the horses at the beginning of the race.

For information, call Terri at (630) 980-0312.

Likewise, members of the new Lake Park Alumni Club have volunteered to host an alumni tent at the homecoming game Friday, Sept. 19, at West Campus, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle.

The new group will also host a “Pack the Place” cheering section during the Jan. 16, 2009, basketball games.

For information, e-mail alumniclub@lphs.org

Lancer Joust

This Saturday, Sept. 13, music will fill Lake Park High School West Campus. Marching bands from 22 Midwest high schools will compete in the 30th Annual Lancer Joust.

Preliminary competition begins at 11:45 a.m.

The finals begin at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to witness this spectacle of music and pageantry. Tickets are $10 for adults; $7 for students and seniors. For information, contact lancerjoust@sbcglobal.net.

Book sale

Friends of the Bloomingdale Library President Bob Cywinski has arranged for a book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 at the library, 101 Fairfield Way. Books, magazines, audio books, videos, and DVDs will sell for $1 or less. For information, contact rjcywinski@yahoo.com.