Sun Rise Scoops

By MERI R. KENNEDY

Toys for Kids Drive

Johnston Mayor Joseph Polisena and Police Chief Richard S. Tamburini, in partnership with the Johnston Explorers Program, request donations of a new goy or gift cards for their 2014 Annual Holiday Toys for Kids Drive.

All gifts go directly to boys and girls in Johnston. Last year, the children of over 125 Johnston families benefited from this program, and they expect the number to grow this year.

Please bring your unwrapped toy donation and/or gift cards – which are great for older children – to the Johnston Toys for Kids collection bin at your child’s school or at the Johnston Police Station. Toys are needed by Dec. 10.

You are also welcome to attend the annual wrapping party at the Johnston Senior Center, 1291 Hartford Ave., on Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

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

Johnston Senior Center Christmas bazaar

On Dec. 12, there will be a Christmas Bazaar at the Johnston Senior Center, located at 1291 Hartford Ave. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be vendors to help you with your holiday shopping.

Some of the vendors include Scentsy Flameless & Wickless Candles, Jackie’s Jewelry, Baskets for U, Sorrella’s Handbags & Accessories, Juice Plus, Sandra Fontana, Crafts by Doreen, Joyce Draine, Beverly Scuncio and Robin DiBattista.

They are also looking for additional vendors. Please contact Millie Santilli at 944-3343 if interested.

Chamber Holiday

Open House

Make your holiday even more festive by stopping by the North Central Chamber of Commerce office for the Holiday Open House on Dec. 12 from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy light appetizers and holiday cheer while mingling with fellow Chamber members and business professionals.

The Chamber is located at 255 Greenville Ave. For more information, contact Deb Ramos at 349-4674. Don’t forget to bring a donation or a non-perishable food item for the Holiday Food Drive.

Holiday food drive

with the Chamber

Join the North Central Chamber of Commerce in helping feed members of the community in need this holiday season. Both non-perishable items and monetary donations will be accepted at the Chamber office, located at 255 Greenville Ave. in Johnston, and all Chamber events. Families receiving donations will be in the Chamber footprint. Donations are already coming in and will continue through Dec. 10. For more information, contact Deb Ramos at 349-4674.

Jingle Bells, Joy

& Gingerbread

Join the North Central Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a festive and fun holiday Lipstick Luncheon called “Jingle Bells, Joy & Gingerbread!” The event will be held at the Pocasset Bay Retirement Living at 12 Old Pocasset Lane in Johnston.

There will be raffles, food and lots of holiday cheer! So start your holiday season off right and bring your sister, mother or best friend and join the Commerce for some holiday cheer. For more information, contact Deb Ramos at 349-4674.

St. Brigid’s

Mass of Anointing

St. Brigid’s Church, 1231 Plainfield St. in Johnston, will sponsor its quarterly Mass of Anointing of the Sick on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 11 a.m. Anyone who is ill in body, mind or spirit may receive this sacrament. Prayer Shawls are hand made by the Prayer Shawl Ministry, blessed by Father Robert Rochon and are available for anyone who may need one for a family member or friends upon request. Help will be available, if requested, for the stairs. All are welcome to join us.

At the Mohr

The Mohr Library will hold two Toddler Parties with Santa, with each beginning at 10:30 a.m. On Dec. 9 will be party for infants to three-year-olds, and Dec. 10 will be for those ages three to five. At 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 11, the library will hold a Kid Flicks program featuring a holiday movie. Parents are encouraged to bring store-bought, peanut-free snacks or drinks to share.

Christmas Bazaar

at Cherry Hill Manor

Cherry Hill Manor, located at 2 Cherry Hill Road, will host its annual Christmas Bazaar on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some of the vendors and items include Scentsy Wickless Candles, Mary Kay Make-up, Tastefully Simple, Gla Mar Collections, handbags, jewelry, scarves and handmade hats and more.

There will be raffles and gift baskets, a Chinese Raffle, tasty treats, jewelry, a scratch ticket tree and more.

Holiday Bazaar

at St. Bellarmine

A fundraising Holiday Bazaar featuring food, games, crafts, raffles, a silent auction and vendor tables will be held at St. Robert Bellarmine Church Hall, 1804 Atwood Ave. in Johnston, on Nov. 29 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 946-3262. To inquire about a vendor table, contact Carol at 233-2330.

More than 200 children

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State is continuing its drive to recruit male and female mentors for the 200-plus kids who are currently on the waiting list. Boys and girls ages seven to 15 throughout the state of Rhode Island are waiting to be pared with a volunteer for six to eight hours a month for a minimum of a one-year commitment. For information on how you can be a mentor, contact a BBBSOS match support specialist at mentoring@bbbsos.org or 401-921-2434.

Big Brothers Big Sisters will also be holding a collection drive for gently used clothing and small household items. Donations help to raise funds to support mentoring programs, and the organization offers convenient free home pick-up of donations and provides a tax receipt. For more information, call 921-2434 or visit www.bbbsos.org.

NYC Day Trip

There’s nothing like a day in NYC to help you get into the holiday spirit: the lights, the theatres, the museums, the restaurants, and so much more. So plan your own fun day for Saturday, Dec. 6.  The deluxe motor coach (with WiFi and on-board lavatory) departs from the East Greenwich area at 7 a.m. After enjoying a wonderful day in NYC, your motor coach will depart at 7 p.m. to bring you home in comfort. The cost is $50 per person. To reserve your seat, send your check made payable to Greenwich Bay Women’s Club to Lynne Wolff, 7 Coveside Court, E. Greenwich, RI 02818.  For further information, email lynnewolff@gmail.com or call 885-4376.  Sponsored by the Greenwich Bay Women’s Club. Proceeds are donated to the club’s Scholarship Committee.

Did You Know?

Here’s one of those funny Thanksgiving facts: Turkeys have heart attacks. When the Air Force was conducting test runs and breaking the sound barrier, fields of turkeys would drop dead. (Source: Thanksgiving Fun Facts)

To submit your news from the community, e-mail 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. E-mail 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.