In brief: Christmas boxes for children still needed

SPOKANE COUNTY – Locations throughout Spokane are putting together boxes for Operation Christmas Child, to help ensure that children in need will receive a gift this Christmas.

The holiday season is approaching quickly and members of the community can still drop off boxes, filled with toys, candy, school supplies and even toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap for children in war-torn and poverty-stricken countries. The boxes are delivered by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief organization. Information about what to include and not to include, and labels specifying gender and age range are available at www.samaritanspurse.org.

Spokane-area donation drop-off sites include Valley Assembly of God, 15618 E. Broadway Ave.; Alderwood Manor, 3600 E. Hartson Ave.; and Learning is Fun, 5414 E. Sprague Ave.

For hours call location sites. The final collection day is Nov. 22

Put pet’s photo in community calendar

LINCOLN HEIGHTS – Pet owners can enter their favorite furry friend in the Community Dog Days Pet of the Year calendar contest. The contest is for dogs, cats, birds and other small pets.

The calendar contest winner will receive $1,000 and will be featured on the cover. The next 11 cutest pets will receive a $200 prize and will each get a page in the calendar.

Pictures will be taken at Referee Photo, 2975 E. 29th Ave., on Friday and Saturday. The sitting fee is $25 and proceeds will benefit the Southside Community Center.

To schedule an appointment, call (509) 535-2307 or visit www.refereephoto.com.

For more information about the calendar contest, call Leslie Seamon at (509) 443-3944 or e-mail leslieseamon@yahoo.com.

GREEN BLUFF – The Green Bluff Grange, 9809 Green Bluff Road, will have an open house and potluck Saturday at 6 p.m.

The family event will bring the community together, recognize local scholarship recipients and offer entertainment by the Hillyard Belles.

Attendees should bring a favorite dish to share.

Free food distribution will be Friday

MILLWOOD – Millwood Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, and Second Harvest Inland Northwest Food Bank will be handing out food in the church parking lot Friday, from noon to 2 p.m.

Free produce and perishable products for families in need of food assistance will be available and no appointment is necessary. Participants must be present to receive their food. Boxes will be needed to carry food.

For more information, call (509) 924-2350.

Church hosts annual dinner Saturday

VERADALE – The Veradale United Church of Christ will host its 70th annual harvest dinner Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the church, 611 N. Progress Road. The menu will feature turkey with all the trimmings, ham, Swedish meatballs and squash from the church’s garden.

All are welcome to attend. The meal is the church’s largest fundraiser. Donations will be accepted.

Talent show to benefit food bank

MILLWOOD – Jenny Hoff, Spokane Valley’s activist against ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is hosting a local talent show at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, 3223 N. Marguerite Road, on Saturday, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Hoff is encouraging all ages and all talents to attend. No winners and no losers will be announced.

There is no cost to participate in the talent show, but nonperishable food donations are requested for Second Harvest Food Bank.

For more information, call Hoff at (509) 893-3373.

Military members, veterans offered free meal

SPOKANE VALLEY – Timber Creek Grill Buffet, 9211 E. Montgomery Ave., will host a Timber Creek Military Thank You Dinner on Monday, from 4 to 8 p.m.

The event is open to all military veterans and those on active duty, who are invited to eat for free. The dinner celebration will include the local Veterans of Foreign Wars honor guard presenting the colors and a welcome from Spokane Valley City Councilman Bill Gothmann.

For more information call (509) 892-6390.