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Holiday Festival

Mayor Joseph Polisena, the Johnston Community Center Association and the Department of Parks and Recreation present a Holiday Festival to be held in Johnston Memorial Park on Dec. 5, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be food, music, refreshments, and a bike raffle. Santa Claus will also be there for pictures. The event is free. Please help those in need by bringing a non-perishable canned good.

Johnston Toy Drive

Mayor Joseph Polisena and Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini, in partnership with the Johnston Police Explorers, are hosting a toy collection drive for families in need in the Johnston community. You can help by donating an unwrapped toy. Drop-off locations include A Custom Car Stereo Center, the Johnston Police Department, the Mohr Library, or any Johnston public school. The drive is running from now until Dec. 15.

Last year, 125 families in Johnston benefited from the program, and a greater need is expected this year. Organizers are seeking unwrapped toys or gift cards, but please no stuffed animals.

If you or a family you now are in need of help this year, call Police Capt. Thomas H. Dolan at 401-757-3100, ext. 3138. Toy distribution is handled confidentially.

A wrapping party will be held on Dec. 16 at the Johnston Senior Center, located at 1291 Hartford Ave., starting at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Fagbote initiated to Phi Kappa Phi

Christopher Fagbote of Johnston was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Fagbote is pursuing a degree in Pharmacy at MCPHS University.

Holiday Bazaar

A fundraising Holiday Bazaar featuring delicious food, a straw game, handcrafted goods, raffles, a silent auction, and vendor tables will be held at St. Robert Bellarmine Church Hall, 1804 Atwood Ave., on Saturday, Nov. 28 from noon to 4:30 p.m. and from 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Proceeds benefit St. Robert’s Food Shelf, which provides food to all neighbors in need, regardless of religious affiliation. For general information, contact Sandy at 401-946-3262.

6th annual MS Holiday Bazaar

The sixth annual MS Holiday Bazaar to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will be held on Dec. 5 at the Scottish Rites Masonic Center, located at 2115 Broad St. in Cranston, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Last year’s bazaar attracted more than 300 shoppers and featured 35 vendors selling holiday gifts, jewelry, baskets, baby clothes, greeting cards, gourmet foods, artwork, and more. The event is free and open to the public, and holiday shoppers are encouraged to attend with their gift lists.

Proceeds help fund programs and services for people with MS. To find out more about the bazaar, contact chapter programs and advocacy manager Meredith Sheehan at Meredith.Sheehan@nmss.org.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

St. Brigid’s Church, 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, has announced that its Prayer Shawl Ministry will be sponsoring their quarterly Mass of Anointing on Dec. 5 at 11 a.m.

Handmade shawls, made by the ministry, and blessed by Father Robert Rochon, will be available for anyone that may need one for themselves or for someone they know who could benefit by having one. Those who are elderly, preparing for surgery, suffering from a chronic illness or experiencing spiritual or emotional pain are welcome to come and join us in our healing prayers that contribute to our well-being.

Candlelight Stroll

Please mark your calendars for the 15th annual North Scituate Village Candlelight Stroll, to be held Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5. Step back in time and embrace the spirit of the season, as well as a wealth of holiday offerings and festivities, at your local shops. Enjoy Victorian carolers, trolley rides, a live nativity, children’s activities, and a visit from the Snow Queen on Friday evening. Saturday features breakfast with Santa, and of course, more shopping. In addition to the many holiday treasures to be found in the village shops, there will also be unique crafters’ wares at the North Scituate Community House, as well as local church bazaars to peruse.

Friends of the Mohr Public Library

Members of the Friends group plan and run book sales and carry out other fundraising activities to allow the Mohr Library to increase services and programs. The Friends welcome new members who are willing to provide support either through donations, membership dues, or volunteering their time. To find out more, contact them, or call the library director at 401-231-4980 (press 7).

There is an ongoing book sale in the lower level hall across from the meeting room. The Friends also hold larger sales two or three times a year. Great selections at great prices include hard cover and paperback books, fiction and non-fiction, for adults, children, and young adults. Most prices range from 25 cents to $2. The Friends are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with proceeds from fundraising supporting library programs and services.

Donations of gently used books are appreciated, and can be left at the library’s main desk during library hours. Receipts for tax purposes are available.

Ocean State Job Lot kicks off ‘Three Square Meals’ drive

Ocean State Job Lot is beginning its annual “Three Square Meals” food and fund drive. Customers at all Ocean State Job Lot stores are invited to make a donation at the registers, a portion of which will be matched by Job Lot to help combat food insecurity in their community. The chain wide in-store fundraising effort supports Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation’s Three Square Meals family assistance program, which benefits food banks throughout the Northeast, and local food distribution programs. All 120 Job Lot stores in eight states are participating. Donations taken at all stores through Dec. 31.

Congressional interns being sought

Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) is accepting applications for interns in his Rhode Island and Washington, D.C., offices for the spring 2016 semester. This unpaid program is open to civic-minded college students who are available for at least 10 hours per week. A qualified candidate will be well organized, responsible and dependable, and have strong oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities include answering phone calls, drafting constituent correspondence and supporting staff members on various projects. College credit is available, if approved by the institution.

For more information, visit langevin.house.gov and click on the Internships prompt under “Serving You” on the homepage.

Did You Know?

TV dinners have Thanksgiving to thank. In 1953, someone at Swanson misjudged the number of frozen turkeys the company would sell that Thanksgiving – by 26 tons! Some industrious soul came up with a brilliant plan: Why not slice up the meat and repackage with some trimmings on the side? Thus, the first TV dinner was born. (Source: Thanksgiving Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, email Meri R. Kennedy at SunriseScoops@aol.com. Photos in jpg format are accepted and news can range from community events, promotions, academic news and non-profit events. Email today and see your news in our column in the Johnston Sunrise! Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information. 

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