n Ashland: An American Red Cross blood drive is set for 1 to 6 p.m. Monday at Christ’s United Lutheran Church, 437 Airport Road. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. For an appointment or more information, call 800-733-2767.
n Mahanoy City: The Mahanoy Area United Veterans Memorial Day Parade Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Friday at American Legion Post 74. All are welcome to attend to help plan the parade and other veteran-related activities. Motorcyclists are also urged to attend, according to a release.
n Pottsville: During the past several decades, the Lions Charities have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, much of which has gone to support “dozens of local nonprofit agencies or charities that touch the lives of thousands of Schuylkill County residents,” according to a Pottsville Lions Club press release. Jerry Enders, president of the Lions Charities Committee, recently updated club members about the charitable efforts. In 2015 alone, according to Enders, nearly $10,000 was distributed to local groups such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Hillside SPCA, St. Joseph Center for Special Learning, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and several groups that support and/or aid veterans. “Lions Charities means helping those that help or ‘serve’ others in our communities,” Enders said in the release. “The Lions motto is ‘We Serve!’ and that is exactly what we do both as individuals and as a club and as the leader of our charities committee, all I can say is thank you to all Lions as well as those … who attend or support the work of the Pottsville Lions Club.” Enders also noted several major projects that Lions Charities has been involved with, including the erection of an amphitheater in Joulwan Park at $30,000, the purchase of a van for the local library at $10,000 and several downtown holiday children’s events, such as the annual Halloween parade and Christmas show at the Majestic Theatre. The club, he continued, also supports the Leo Club and most important is the Lions commitment to eyesight conservation and the club’s support for people in need of eyeglasses.
n Pottsville: The Pottsville Free Public Library recently acknowledged the following memorial donations: For Barbara Kull from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Eroh, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kurtek; for James Lecher from Gregory and Lia Brennan; for Jean Freeze from Sandra Murton; for Gerald Nagle from Sandra Murton; for Joe Tarone from Pottsville Open Writers; for Reba Franklin from The Tuesday Bridge Club, The Philanthropic Club, Peggy and Ralph Jaeger. The library also acknowledged the following memorial/honors for the 2015 fund drive: For Mildred Pritchard from Diane Bogdan.
n Ringtown: The Ringtown Valley Community Fund distributed 2016 fund drive donations to the following participating organizations: Ringtown Community Ambulance Association Inc., Ringtown Area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Ringtown Area Library, Ringtown Area Recreation Complex, Ringtown Pastors Association, Ringtown Valley Food Pantry, Ringtown Valley Senior Citizens, American Red Cross, Avenues and Schuylkill County Society for Crippled Children. Membership cards were also distributed to residents who contributed to the 2016 Community Fund Drive. The fund drive committee, in a press release, thanked all industries, businesses and residents who participated in the success of this annual drive and reminded residents that late donations can be mailed to the Ringtown Valley Community Fund at P.O. Box 204, Ringtown, PA 17967.
n Saint Clair: St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church will have advance-order pierogi sales beginning at 11 a.m. on Ash Wednesday, Fridays during Lent and Holy Thursday. The cost is $7.50 per dozen and pierogies will be available frozen or cooked with butter and onions or butter only. To order or for more information, call 570-429-1040, 570-429-0624, 570-429-0343 or 570-429-1942.