n Minersville: The Minersville Area Food Drive Committee's 28th annual holiday food drive is underway and will conclude on Feb. 28, Edward M. Butler, committee chairman, said in a press release. The drive's purpose, he said, is to provide economically disadvantaged people in the Minersville area with food during the holiday season and into the new year. All donations of nonperishable food items can be made by calling 570-544-2739. Monetary donations can be mailed in care of the Minersville Area Food Drive Committee, 529 Lytle St., Minersville, PA 17954. Last year, the committee collected more than 22,000 cans, packaged food and other items including turkeys and other meats, Butler said in the release. "All this was made possible because of the generosity and caring of" Minersville area residents. For more information on the drive, call Butler at the aforementioned phone number.
n Pine Grove: An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Pine Grove Ambulance headquarters, Spruce Street. People can donate blood by calling 800-733-2767 or visiting redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. People who are 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
n Pottsville: Donations to the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation help people "right here in your community," according to Eileen Kuperavage, SACF executive director. SACF "provides an ideal way to easily give back and make a positive difference in the lives of people in Schuylkill County," she said in a release. SACF manages 143 funds and the annual fund earnings will be distributed as specified by the donor. The funds include: The John and Anna Breitigan Memorial Award Fund, established by Jennie Breitigan in memory of her parents, with awards distributed annually to students who are Schuylkill County residents enrolled at The Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing; the St. Paul's Historic Cemetery Fund, with earnings distributed annually to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Port Carbon, for the purpose of maintenance, repair and improvement of the St. Paul's Historic Cemetery in Port Carbon; the Schuylkill County Historical Society Fund, with earning distributed annually to the Schuylkill County Historical Society for uses and purposes as approved by the society's board of directors; the Beatrice Wasley Legacy Fund, established by Anne LaVoie, a former Shenandoah resident, in honor of her aunt, with earnings distributed to the Sisters of St. Casimir in Chicago, to be used for personal care needs of the sisters who are retired. Kuperavage said contributions may be made to any fund at any time and in any amount. For more information about establishing a fund, visit www.sacfoundation.com or call Kuperavage at 570-624-7223.
n Shenandoah: The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, 201 S. Main St., has items for sale including its 2012 ornament featuring the old Home Brewery that once stood at the site that is now the St. Casimir Roman Catholic Parish playground, Main and Washington streets. The society's 2011 ornament, featuring the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society Museum & Headquarters at 105 S. Jardin St., also is available, as well as older ornaments. According to spokeswoman Andrea Pytak, the society also has cookbooks for sale. Anyone interested should call a society member or the 116 N. Main St. headquarters of the revitalization group Downtown Shenandoah Inc., 570-462-2060.
n Tamaqua: An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at St. John's United Church of Christ, Pine and Biddle streets. People can donate blood by calling 800-733-2767 or visiting redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. People who are 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.