n Ashland: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 35 N. Ninth St., will host its Vacation Bible School titled "Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong for God" 6 to 8 p.m. July 8 to 12. Children can register the first night or in advance by calling the church office at 570-875-2581.
n Coaldale: St. Luke's Hospital-Miners Campus, 360 W. Ruddle St., will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. People who donate blood at any Miller-Keystone Blood Center or MKBC community blood drive now through Sept. 8 can enter for the chance to win one of two $100 gas cards drawn weekly. The entry will also be eligible to win a set of tickets (four tickets plus parking) to a Philadelphia Phillies game. There will be a winner drawn each month in June, July and August, according to a press release. Donors can also enter to win a $500 Visa gift card when they donate between Saturday and July 15. To donate, people must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and not have donated blood in the past eight weeks. All donors must also provide valid identification with name and photo. For more information, call 800-223-6667 or visit giveapint.org.
n Jim Thorpe: "Tell It On the Mountain" is the theme for this year's ecumenical Vacation Bible School set for 6 to 8:30 p.m. June 24-28 at St. John's Lutheran Church, South Avenue. It is open to children of all denominations, preschool through sixth grade. Registration forms have be placed in local churches. People may contact Melanie Schafer at 570-325-3391 or via email at melschafer17@hotmail.com for more information or to register.
n Schuylkill Haven: Bruce Kosak, a representative of Disabled American Veterans, a nonprofit charity dedicated to "building better lives for America's disabled veterans and their families," is available from 3 to 6 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of the month in the local office of state Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125, at 988 E. Main St. Suite A. Kosak will assist local veterans with needs specific to their situation, according to a Tobash press release. Having Kosak available regularly at the office is another way "to make sure our area veterans who become disabled while serving our country have a direct link to assistance in receiving the benefit they rightly deserve," Tobash said in the release. The local office can also be reached by calling 570-385-8235. More information also is available online at RepTobash.com.
n Shenandoah: For the services of the Catholic Charities Immigration Outreach Office, 218 W. Cherry St., call Jennifer Clerici at 570-462-2585 or email jclerici@allentowndiocese.org. Services are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month. Representatives of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Allentown offer services from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays at 218 W. Cherry St. Services include pregnancy and parenting support, case management for individuals, families and older adults plus information and referral. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. To schedule an appointment or for more information, call Catholic Charities at 570-628-0466.
n Shenandoah: The Shenandoah Open Air Downtown Farm Market is expected to launch the 2013 season on June 25. The market will continue from about 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays into November. Regional farmers and growers set up shop along the east side of the first block of South Main Street and the south side of the first block of East Centre Street near the more than century-old Bolich & Burke building. They offer fruits, vegetables, various plants/flowers and other fare. The event, the oldest of its kind in the county, is sponsored by the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Treasurer Mark Bernardyn is the market committee chairman. Additional farmers/growers are welcome to participate in the event.