Holiday giving

A giving spirit

Through the 2009 year-end holidays, The Union will keep a running list of fundraisers and programs to help the needy.

To have your program added to the list, contact City Editor Trina Kleist at tkleist@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4230.

Operation Turkey

Your $10 donation to the Interfaith Food Ministry can put a turkey or a large chicken on the table of a needy family this Thanksgiving.

Send money orders or checks to Interfaith Food Ministry, Operation Turkey, P.O. Box 1174, Grass Valley, CA 95945.

For more information, to get help or to volunteer, call (530) 273-8132.

Community food drive by Aikido'Ka

Aikido'Ka is holding its “We Can... Drive Through” canned food drive for the Nevada County Food Bank from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at the corner of Broad and Union streets in Nevada City.

Started in 2007 in response to the Food Bank's dire food shortage, this annual event collects cans or bags of food, money and personal hygiene products for community members in need.

For a complete list of items needed, visit JoinAikido.com/martial-arts-special-events.

To volunteer or for more information, call Frank Bloksberg at (530) 273-2727 or (530) 478-0170, or visit JoinAikido.com.

Caregiver Christmas Fundraiser by Helping Hands

The Helping Hands Caregiver Resource is holding its Christmas Boutique Fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, in Penn Valley, at 17645 Penn Valley Drive.

The event is open to the public, and features local craft vendors for holiday gift shopping, family holiday photos and a bake sale.

All proceeds benefit Nevada County's only Adult Day Care program for dependent adults.

Vendor space is available for $25. For vendor information, to volunteer or for more information in general, call Colleen Bond at (530) 432-2540.

Troop 21 Troop Tree

Boy Scouts Troop 21, of Grass Valley, have put up their Christmas tree at B & C True Value Hardware, 12032 Nevada City Highway, Grass Valley, for their annual Troop Tree fundraising event.

The tree will display holiday ornaments made by the scouts until Thursday, Dec. 31, when it will be taken down.

Each ornament features the name of an area service member. The ornaments are available for purchase with a donation of any amount, with all proceeds benefiting local members of the United States armed services deployed overseas.

In addition, holiday cards for the deployed troops will be available for signing.

Canned food and coat drive by AAA

The Grass Valley AAA is hosting its Coat ‘n' Can drive to benefit our neighbors in need.

The event runs now through Dec. 1. You can drop off coats in good condition or canned food items at the AAA Office at 113 Dorsey Drive. The items will be distributed to local families in need by the Salvation Army and the Nevada County Food Bank.

Reader Pauline Murphy says of the event:

“It really is heart-warming to watch the people of our community come through so generously. I can remember an amazing response of coats being dropped off last year, (and) I am hoping we can do this again this year with (The Union) readership helping out so much.”

Angels Among Us

The Salvation Army, with a partnership of local agencies, families and businesses, is sponsoring the Angels Among Us Christmas program to help provide food, toys and clothing to those in need.

Families in need of holiday help should apply at The Salvation Army, 10725 Alta St., Grass Valley, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. today and Tuesday, or from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.

Applicants should bring identification for any family members, income information and a list of clothing sizes.

Holiday cards for heroes

The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to send holiday cards to members of the military and their families in the United States and around the world from Tuesday, Nov. 11, until Wednesday, Dec. 10.

If you wish to make a card, visit RedCross.org/holidaymail after Nov. 11 for the P.O. box address, card guidelines or printable online cards. Received cards will be screened for hazardous materials before being delivered to military bases, veteran's hospitals and military hospitals during the holidays.

If you are interested in helping with the event, call the Three Rivers/Shasta Red Cross at (530) 673-1460 to volunteer.

For more information about the Red Cross or this program, visit RedCross.org.