66 canine couples marry at Kane County Cougars ballpark for a good cause

Here is Good News Sunday, a compilation of some of the most upbeat and inspiring stories published recently by the Daily Herald:

A baseball field normally full of Cougars was dominated by dogs last Sunday in an attempt to break the world record for the largest canine wedding.

Sixty-six dog couples, many of whom were reunited after a meteoric courtship, gathered for the nuptials at Northwestern Medicine Field in Geneva, home of the Kane County Cougars baseball team.

The number, however, was lower than the 2007 Guinness World Record record of 178 married dog couples in Littleton, Colorado.

If the “Diamonds in the Ruff” event at first seems frivolous, the purpose was serious. It was held to raise money and shine a light on K9s for Warriors, a national organization that rescues dogs from high-mortality shelters and trains them to be service animals for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. , head trauma or military sexual trauma.

Mike Marcotte, a Guinness World Records judge, was on hand, as was an English Guinness World Record-holding magician, Martin Rees, who hosted the mass wedding.

The dog pairs were led by Cougars mascots Ozzie and Annie down a red carpet and through a ball canopy to the outfield grass that awaited them.

For the full story, click here.

Maine West students immerse themselves in Latino culture

Maine West High School students are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by immersing themselves in Latinx culture, starting with a field trip last week to Chicago’s “Little Village” neighborhood.

Students from Maine West’s Latin American Literature classes and the Latinx Club started the day with a visit to the National Museum of Mexican Art downtown, taking a guided tour of the “Día de los Muertos” exhibit. . Then they went to Los Comales in Pilsen to see its famous murals depicting Latin culture.

Once back at Des Plaines School, the students met Gabriel Chacón, a Maine West graduate who is now the equity director for the Ándale program at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines.

Ándale supports students who identify as Latinx in their transition to college, said Jenny Gustavson, an English teacher and academic literacy specialist at Maine West who is a co-sponsor of the Latinx Club.

Maine West’s student body is approximately 41% Latino, the school’s largest ethnic group.

“There is a ton of research on how when students are able to take an ethnic studies course or courses in their heritage or background, there is an increase in the likelihood of graduation, academic achievement, school engagement,” Gustavson said.

“When we connect to students’ lives, to their basic knowledge and experiences…they are more engaged, invested in the school and can see the relevance of it in their lives.”

For the full story, click here.

Outreach House programs now under one roof to help families

The Outreach House, a non-profit organization that helps low-income individuals and families in York, Addison and Glendale Heights Townships, announced the official opening of its new location at 805 S. Main St. , Suite A, Lombard.

The move allows The Outreach House’s four community programs to be under one roof.

Outreach House programs include: The Food Pantry — food aid; First Things First – diapers, clothes up to 5T and other infant needs; Walk-in assistance — emergency financial needs; and the clothes closet, with seasonally appropriate clothing for all ages (over 5T), including outerwear and footwear. Previously, these programs were run from two separate locations.

The Walk-In Assistance and First Things First programs were located near the First Church in Lombard, and the Lombard/Villa Park Pantry and Clothes Closet were located at the First United Methodist Church on Main Street.

“Our new space is more accessible and convenient for customers. As a result, we have seen an immediate increase of more than 20% in the number of families served over the past month. We never turn anyone away on their first visit, and if from outside our service area, refer them to a pantry or other organization in their locality,” said General Manager Catherine Lynott.

“We’re encouraging customers to bring what they need for their family during the week, and we’ve removed limits on most items offered.”

For the full story, click here.

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