Clothing Giveaway
SHAMOKIN - There will be a clothing giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Friday at Grace Chapel, 126 Airport Rd., 648-0372.
Free Christmas dinner
TREVORTON - Trevorton Community Ambulance will host its fifth annual Christmas dinner, free to all Zerbe Township residents Saturday. Serving begins at noon. Home delivery is available to the elderly and disabled residents of Zerbe, East and West Cameron and Little Mahanoy townships. The menu includes baked ham, potatoes, vegetables, macaroni and cheese, fresh baked bread, apple or peach crisp. Food is available to eat in or take out. For home delivery, call 797-4951.
Mount Carmel Borough food pantry
MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Borough Food Pantry distribution will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Notary Shop for residents who have already signed up. Midrise residents who get this are asked to meet in the lobby at 11 a.m.
Christmas village
PAXINOS - Oak Grove will present its annual Christmas Village from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at 133 Oak Grove Road. Rain date is Dec. 16. The event will include pony rides, a petting zoo, horse-drawn wagon rides, campfires, a fiddler, free food and drinks, cookies, a gift for each family and music by the Robatins. This event is free to the public. Donations of non-perishable food will be accepted for Bountiful Blessings Ministry and Open Arms Outreach Ministry. For directions or information, call 648-6034 or Pastor Zachary Hopple at 648-8450.
Holiday concert
MOUNT CARMEL - A "Christmas Spirits" concert including more than 20 vocalists and six musicians from Lift Your Spirits Performing Arts will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 47 S. Market St., next to Town Park. Admission is free, but a good-will offering is appreciated. A variety of Christmas music focusing on the nativity will be part of the performance.
Vera Bradley and Scarf Auction
MOUNT CARMEL - The second annual Vera Bradley and Scarf Auction at SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall, 131 N. Beech St., will benefit the SS Peter and Paul maintenance and repair fund. Doors open Sunday at noon, auction begins at 2 p.m. There will be specials and door prizes and refreshments available. For more information, call 339-0650.
LARRC seeks volunteers
Members of Lower Anthracite Regional Recreation Committee (LARRC) are working toward constructing a recreation area near Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, including two soccer fields, batting cages, a walking track and a playground. The group is hoping to break ground this fall. Volunteers are needed to donate time, machines, craftsmanship and any other services. For more information, contact George Zarick at 850-3087, Jerry Waugh at 394-4327 or Coal Township manager Rob Slaby at 644-0395.
2013 Anthracite Coalympics
The "2013 Anthracite Coalympics" is a fundraiser set for May 4 in Shamokin. Admission is free. Event registration is $15. Adult events include a 2K race, horseshoes, ultimate frisbee, obstacle course, homerun derby, hot dog-eating conest, beer pong and tug-of-war. Children's events are free, but donations are welcome. They include a race, scavenger hunt, beanbag toss, long jump and obstacle course. There will be entertainment for children as well as live music and adult beverages for those of age. Vendors and volunteers are needed. Anyone interested in helping out should contact Shamokin Coal Township Community Cares Project on Facebook, email coalregionpride@yahoo.com or call 898-5229.
(The News-Item is looking to highlight some of the things to which people can contribute time in the area. We provide the information weekly in Friday's edition. We invite you to submit ideas and existing projects to living@newsitem.com or give us a call.)