More time. That's what Downers Grove resident Mary Jo Campbell's students told her they wanted.

More time for what? Well, these were students in her Young Writers Group, modeled somewhat after the adult Writers Workshop which meets at the library, and what they wanted was more time together to write and critique their writing.

Campbell said she got the idea to start such a group from her own son, ten-year-old David, who wanted to belong to a group like the one his Mom attended.

She approached Junior Room staff members at the library with the idea, and they were supportive. Amanda Blau from the children's department "helped me get everything started and partnered in the teachings," Campbell said.

The response from area children was also very positive. "We maxed out our registration limit of fifteen students," Campbell said, "and the energy and excitement at each meeting was contagious."

Campbell was then asked to teach for the Super Saturday Classes sponsored by the Friends of the Gifted and Talented. She taught both a writing class and one on getting published.

She also is involved in promoting the National Novel Writing Month (NANO) for young writers, and has started two blogs — writelikecrazy.wordpress.com for young writers, and writerinspired.wordpress.com for all others.

While she will not be facilitating young writers workshops at the library in future, she will be working with young writers at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Bolingbrook the second Tuesday of every month, and will run a week-long writing studio in June.

For information on any of these writing opportunities for children, e-mail Campbell at mjcwriter@comcast.net.

Volunteer promotes fundraiser walk

Louise Trucano used to recommend books when she worked at Anderson's Book Shop in Downers; now the 31-year resident is recommending participation in the annual Susan G. Komen Three-Day Breast Cancer Walk.

She worked on the kitchen crew after a former neighbor got her involved last year. Not only is the cause a worthy one, she said, but the experience itself was enriching.

"It is an extremely well-organized event, and I enjoyed meeting all kinds of interesting people from all kinds of backgrounds," she said. "There was a lot of camaraderie."

She said walkers, who cover twenty miles each day, are required to raise a certain amount of money, usually through sponsors; since the event is run by volunteers, the bulk of this goes to support breast cancer research. Supplies, including the 1,200 bright pink pup tents used for sleeping, are donated.

"More cities are added to the event every year," she said. "The Chicago walk had about 2,400 participants and raised several million dollars. There were whole families walking together — men and women, survivors and friends and relatives of survivors."

Trucano said anyone interested in learning more about this event can easily find information on the Internet.