In brief: Operation Christmas Child seeks donations for gifts

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

Vendor space open for St. Luke’s craft fair

EAST CENTRAL – St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, 711 S. Cowley St., has vendor space available for its Dec. 3 craft fair, to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. The fair will be held in the lower level of the hospital from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vendors interested in participating in the fair may call Paula Jones at (509) 473-6089.