A self storage unit. A blood drive. A Merchant Day Event. Chicago-based LifeStorage in its Hermosa location is bringing these three seemingly unconnected events together.

Many small businesses rent storage units for various reasons: document storage, storing extra inventory, business equipment. Entrepreneurs often use self storage facilities for their business, too. Yecy Morquecho and Mario Alequin, LifeStorage Hermosa store managers, came up with a good plan where they could spotlight these small businesses and do a community service at the same time. They combined a community blood drive with a Merchant Day Event. Participants can stop by the LifeStorage facility, see what the merchants have on display, donate blood, and also checkout the services that LifeStorage offers. [More]

You've seen those pictures: cars, light poles, benches, and roads encased in a thick sheet of ice. You've seen pictures of howling winds blasting snow on people hunched over trying to walk down the street. These are typical winter scenes in Chicago where winters are sometimes harsh and bitter cold.

LifeStorage Hermosa in Chicago is holding a coat drive from now through December 15. People interested in donating a coat can drop it off at its location on 4500 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL. LifeStorage has a goal of collecting 50 coats and encourages members of the community to help out by donating new or used coats for the drive. [More]