Community Extra: Calendar

THANKSGIVING DINNERS

Edmonds: Edmonds Lutheran Church, 23525 84th Ave. W., hosts a free Community Thanksgiving Feast at 5 p.m. Wednesday. Roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, pie and coffee. A brief ecumenical Thanksgiving eve service follows at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Sultan: Sultan Harvest plans its 11th annual free dinner to be served 12-4 p.m. Thursday at Volunteers of America, 701 First St., Sultan. Everyone is welcome.

Edmonds: Westgate Chapel welcomes families to its free community dinner, with seatings at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Prizes and drawings for kids, family entertainment, crafts, photos, food and clothing bank in addition to a traditional meal. No reservations required. Call today if transportation is needed. Westgate Chapel is at 22901 Edmonds Way, Edmonds.

BAZAARS

Country Christmas at the Fair: 2-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 1-2 at the Island County Fairgrounds, 819 Camano Ave. in Langley. Over 40 vendors presenting a variety of handcrafted gifts.

Events

Sound Steppers Turkey Trot: Walk off that holiday meal 8 a.m.-noon Saturday starting from Edmonds United Methodist Church, 838 Caspers St., with 5k and 10k routes. Food, cash and checks will be collected for the Edmonds Food Bank.

Make a wreath: Learn to make your own holiday wreath 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Arlington Boys &Girls Club’s Community Room, 18513 59th Ave. NE. The Arlington Garden Club will provide the greenery. Bring a pair of pruning shears, a wreath form and a ball of green twine. Cost is $4.

Book reading: J. Matheson Gifts, 2615 Colby Ave., Everett, hosts a book reading of the newly released “Building Hope: The first 25 years of Housing Hope” at 1 p.m. Saturday. Author David Buerge and Housing Hope’s Executive Director Ed Petersen will read from the book, answer questions and sign copies.

State Street Stroll: Charity pub crawl starts at 5 p.m. Saturday from Vi &Glynn’s Tavern, 10321 State Ave., Marysville. The stroll offers deals at five watering holes to raise money for The Hope Project and the Marysville Food Bank. Cost to get discounted drinks at each location is $20, which buys the participant a T-shirt, with all proceeds going to the charities. More info: http://bit.ly/QMEddF.

Lactation room celebration: The Snohomish Health District’s mother-child nutrition program and Edmonds Community College celebrate the opening of a lactation room for breastfeeding student moms with a “Latch on to Your Community” event 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 28 in the Triton Student Center, Brier Hall, on the campus at 20000 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood. Event includes speakers, information tables and prizes for participation.

Documentary: Everett Community College will screen the “Education Under Fire” about higher education in Iran 12:20-1:20 p.m. Nov. 28 in the Henry M. Jackson Center Senate Room on the campus at 2000 Tower St., Everett. The 30-minute documentary, produced with Amnesty International, profiles the persecution of Baha’is in Iran. More info: 425-388-9411.

International Dinner Out: 6 p.m. Wednesday at the East County Senior Center, 276 Sky River Parkway, Monroe. Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children younger than 12. Reservations required. Call 360-794-6359.

ASSISTANCE

Employment Network: 10 a.m.-noon Fridays at the North Creek Presbyterian Church, 621 164th St. SE., Mill Creek. Free help with job searches, resume writing and interviewing. More info: 425-743-2386.

Grief support group: 10 a.m.-noon Thursdays at Mountain View Presbyterian Church, 5115 100th St. NE in Marysville. This group uses the GriefShare curriculum. More info: 360-659-7777, www.mtvpc.org.

United Ostomy Associations of America, Snohomish County Chapter: Meets next from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, 3530 Colby Ave., Everett. The group’s purpose is to help in the rehabilitation of people with ostomies. More info: Cathryn, 425-337-7221.

Parkinson’s disease support group: Meets next from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the Rainier Room, 1330 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. More info: 425-327-9401.

Support group for parents of children with behavioral problems: 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays at Zion Lutheran Church, 4634 Alger Ave., Everett. The network offers peer-to-peer support for parents struggling with children exhibiting risky behaviors such as drug or alcohol use. Groups are confidential and free. More info: 888-468-2620 or www.cpsn.org.

Support group for special education parents in the Everett School District: Meets next from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday at View Ridge Elementary School, 202 Alder St., Everett.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays at St. Phillips Episcopal Church, 4212 84th St. NE, Marysville. Visitors are welcome. Weigh-in is from 8:30 to 9 a.m. More info: Marcia at 425-347-2149 or Ada at 425-923-6025.

WAYS TO HELP

Pet food drive: Homeward Pet Adoption Center and Doggy Haven Resort are holding a food drive for pets Friday through the end of the year. Drop off dog or cat food donations at these local locations: Homeward Pet Adoption Center (13132 NE 177th Place, Woodinville); Mud Bay (1018 164th St. SE, Mill Creek); Pet Pros (13402 Bothell-Everett Highway in Mill Creek or 19943 Highway 2 in Monroe); or VCA Lynnwood Veterinary Clinic, 20115 44th Ave. W.

Wreath sale: The Mabana Flames Fire Auxiliary will be making fresh wreaths from local greens again this year to benefit the volunteer fire fighters. To order a wreath, call either Lynda Comerford at 360-387-8284 or Betty Metz at 360-387-0396. Cost is $15. Wreaths can be picked up at the Mabana Fire Station, 3651 South Camano Drive, 1-3 p.m. Nov. 26 or 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 27.

Help plan Village fundraiser: Volunteers are needed to plan and implement Village Community Services’ 2013 Taste of Decadence fundraiser, to be held in May. The planning committee meets at 5:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month in Arlington. If interested, contact Michelle Dietz at 360-653-7752 ext. 14 or resource@villagecommunitysvcs.org.

Food drive: Traxx Indoor Raceway’s Race Against Hunger Food Drive will collect donations through Dec. 24 for the Mukilteo Food Bank. The go-kart venue is at 4329 Chennault Beach Road. Donors can get discounts on same-day races.

Senior Services needs administrator, drivers: Senior Services of Island County, facilitating agency of the Meals-on-Wheels program at the Camano Center, needs an administrator for the program as well as a few dedicated volunteers to help deliver meals and smiles to home-bound Camano Island seniors. Drivers are reimbursed 50 cents per mile driven to help offset the cost of fuel. More info: Ginny or Nancy at 360-387-0222.

Hospice volunteers: Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County, 2731 Wetmore Ave., Everett, holds volunteer information sessions the third Wednesday of the month. More info: Joanie, 425-261-4815.

Donate cellphones: Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County is recycling cellphones. Even without service, cellphones can call 911 when charged. Phones may be dropped off at the New and Again Thrift Shoppe, 3116 Rucker Ave., Everett, which is open Tuesday through Saturday. Other locations can be found by visiting www.dvs-snoco.org, or call Stephanie Civey at 425-259-2827 ext. 13.

Holiday donations for food bank: The Snohomish Community Food Bank expects to feed 425 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. The food bank seeks groups of people willing to “sponsor” a certain menu item and bring in from 100 to 425 of that item. It also is asking for turkeys, hams and whole chickens. Toys for a giving tree also are accepted. More info: Elizabeth Grant, 360-568-7993.

Volunteers over 55 wanted: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), sponsored by Catholic Community Services, has access to hundreds of volunteer opportunities throughout the county. More info: John McAlpine at johnm@ccsww.org, 425-374-6374 or 888-240-8572.

Hospital gift shop help: Providence General Children’s Association seeks volunteers for its hospital gift shops. All proceeds from the gift shops go towards children in the Northwest region in need. Application, background check and orientation session required. More info: Julie Dickson, 425-339-1398.

Donate: Goldwing Touring Association Chapter C, a motorcycle group based in Everett, is sponsoring a toy and clothing drive to benefit Christmas House. The drive runs through Dec. 10. Donations can be dropped off at Everett Powersports, 215 SW Everett Mall Way, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Or contact Kathy Leon at Kathy@wingrider.net or 206-362-4250 for assistance. Clothing should be new and in original packaging; stuffed toys should be new or like-new. Christmas House specifically requests stuffed animals and toys, teen boys’ socks and large boys’ socks, size 5T boys’ winter coats, sizes 10-14 girls’ winter coats, and new, small gifts for pre-teen boys ages 9 and 10.

VOA needs drivers: The Volunteers of America food banks in Everett and Sultan need volunteer drivers for their senior home delivery and grocery pick-up services on weekdays. Training is provided. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and pass a background check. The Everett Distribution Center also needs warehouse volunteers, who must be able to lift 30-plus pounds. More info: Bill Kraut at bkraut@voaww.org or 425-259-3191 (Everett) or Jennifer Reasoner at jreasoner@voaww.org or 360-793-2400 (Sultan).

YWCA needs clothing bags: The Working Women’s Wardrobe program is in need of clothing bags from local department stores. Please drop off at the YWCA, 3301 Broadway, Everett. This program helps Snohomish County women acquire job- and interview-appropriate attire. More info: 425-258-2766.

Humane Society: HappyPaws Farm needs volunteers to walk dogs on Saturday afternoons. The nonprofit also needs two strong people to help with large dogs and carry crates at off-site adoptions, as well as people to help with fundraising, particularly auctions and grants. More info: 360-652-5844, hmnsoc@aol.com, [URL]www.saveourdogsandcats.org;http://www.saveourdogsandcats.org[URL].

Help out at Habitat Store: Habitat for Humanity of Snohomish County is looking for volunteers to help staff its store. The Christian organization seeks volunteers for four-hour shifts from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The store is located at 2302 Broadway, Everett. The store also accepts donations of building materials, household items and furniture by appointment. More info: 425-903-4430 or [/URL]www.habitatsnohomish.org.;http://www.habitat.snohomish.org[URL]

Assist cancer patients: The Cancer Resource Center at the Providence Regional Cancer Partnership seeks volunteers to work weekly four-hour shifts meeting with cancer patients and caregivers to provide support. Drivers also are needed to get cancer patients to treatments and appointments. Volunteers use their own vehicles and get mileage reimbursement. More info: Jerri Wood, 425-322-1114 or jerri.wood@cancer.org.

Volunteer Chore Services: This program of Catholic Community Services seeks volunteers to assist with household chores and more, enabling elders and adults with disabilities to remain independent in their own homes. Volunteers can help the same person each week or be listed for on-call assistance. More info: Cherisse Webb, 425-374-6323 or cherissew@ccsww.org.

The Binky Patrol: A group of quilters, knitters and crocheters who make “binkies” for children in traumatic situations seeks volunteers and donations of fabric, yarn or thread. Meetings are on the first Sunday of the month in Marysville. More info: 360-659-7198.

Soup kitchen volunteers: The Salt of the Earth Soup Kitchen needs volunteers to help prepare, cook, serve and clean up starting at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2531 Hoyt Ave., Everett. The group also is looking for a box truck to pick up food for food banks in Snohomish County. More info: Sandra, 425-355-1042.

Arlington Food Bank: Arlington-area businesses and community groups are needed to hold food drives. Volunteers also are needed. More info: Dori, 360-435-1631.

Hands of Hope Food Bank: Help your neighbors in need by volunteering at the food bank or making a donation. To make a donation, send checks to 9506 Seventh Ave. SE, Everett, WA 98208, or bring in your food donation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. More info: 425-355-5985.

Marysville Community Food Bank: Volunteers are needed to help sort food (10 a.m.-noon Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday), serve clients groceries (9-11 a.m. Monday and Friday and 3-6 p.m. Tuesday), pick up groceries and other tasks. The food bank is at 4150 88th St. NE, Marysville. More info: 360-658-1054, [/URL]http://marysvillefoodbank.org.;http://www.marysvillecommunityfb.com[URL]

Vet center needs help: Healing Hearts In Hope Veteran Retreat Center seeks volunteers to help clean trails and organize fundraisers, among other things. The nonprofit helps veterans by providing a retreat. It is located at 28902 Mountain Loop Highway, Granite Falls. More info: Teresa, 360-691-6284 or hhhvrcfounder@netzero.com.

SENIORS

Bingo: 12:30-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett, 3025 Lombard Ave. Cost is $2 for three-on. Everybody older than 50 can participate. More info: 425-257-8780, [/URL]www.ci.everett.wa.us/seniors;http://www.ci.everett.wa.us/seniors[URL].

Double-deck pinochle: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 4:30 p.m. Thursdays at Scriber Gardens/GenCare, 6024 200 St. SW, Lynnwood. More info: Carla, 425-771-5471.[/URL]