Habitat Bids To Raise Funds At Auction

Get a jump-start on holiday shopping at Habitat for Humanity’s Autumn Auction, Nov. 8, with proceeds to benefit the Spokane group.

The event will be from 6 to 10 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar.

Enjoy delicious food while browsing and bidding for silent auction items, including collectible porcelain dolls, holiday wreaths, gift baskets - and hundreds more.

Don’t miss the live auction of offerings such as a weekend snowmobile trip for eight to Priest Lake, or six Bloomsday training sessions from retired track coach Duane Hartman.

Tickets are $12 each, or $20 for two, available at the Habitat office, 732 N. Napa, or by calling 534-2552.

The nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization raises money and recruits volunteers to build houses for low-income, Spokane-area families.

Habitat for Humanity welcomes new or nearly new merchandise, services, antiques or vacation trips for the auction. Call the office for information.

Community events

Family Fun Night at Gonzaga Prep., 1224 E. Euclid, promises to be an evening of enjoyment for all ages, beginning at 5 p.m., Friday.

Admission is free to the fund-raising event in the school gymnasium. Activities will include food, games, crafts and a talent show. There will also be silent and live auctions with opportunities to bid on a variety of items.

Saturday evening, G Prep will host its formal Champagne Dinner and Auction at the Ag Trade Center, starting at 5. Tickets are $75 each ($35 for ages 18 to 30). Required reservations can be made by calling 487-7971.

Make your reservation now to attend the 15th annual Leader Lunch honoring Spokane Women of Achievement.

Sponsored by the Spokane YWCA, the noon luncheon will be Nov. 21 at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park.

Jamaica Vandolah of Rogers High School will be honored as recipient of the 1996 Outstanding Young Woman of Achievement. Eight other women will also receive awards in such categories as business, community service and education.

Tickets are $35. For reservations, call 326-1190, ext. 133.

Parents concerned about the rising cost of college tuition are invited to attend free College Funding Workshops offered by the Spokane Public Library.

Sharon Daggett, certified financial planner with more than 15 years experience, will discuss college cost environment, financial aid, college fund investing and more.

The first workshop will be Saturday, 2-4 p.m., at the South Hill Branch Library, 3324 S. Perry. Call 626-5385 to register.

A repeat workshop will be Nov. 12, 7-9 p.m., at the Hillyard Branch, 4005 N. Cook. To register, call 626-5380.

All Spokane Public Library branches will be closed Nov. 1, 11, and 28. For more information, call 626-5312.

There’s still time to donate new or gently used coats for needy children in a program sponsored by the Single Parent Program of Spokane Falls Community College. The drive ends Oct. 31.

Coats may be dropped into specified bins at the Spokane Food Bank or Counseling Center on the SFCC campus, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive.

The coats will be distributed to needy children during the first week of November. For more information, call 533-4153.

Support groups

Several community groups offer free, on-going support for those in crisis situations or in need of friendship:

Teens with chronically ill parents are invited to join an adolescent support group which meets Mondays from 5:30 to 7 p.m., at Holy Family Hospital, 5633 N. Lidgerwood. Call 482-2477 to register.

Also offered by Holy Family, a breast cancer support group meets Mondays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Spokane Oncology North Office, 5719 N. Lidgerwood. Call 325-8716 to register.

Grandparents raising grandchildren are invited to a Second Timers support group on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, 9 to 10:30 a.m., at 1425 N. Washington. Child care is provided. For more information, call Karen Licklider, 456-3991.

Volunteer opportunity

Volunteers are needed to help with the Computer Loan Program at the Easter Seal Society of Washington.

Easter Seal is a direct-service organization committed to providing programs and services to people with disabilities, enabling them to live with dignity and independence.

The Computer Loan Program receives and repairs used computers and then distributes them to disabled individuals for home use.

There is an ongoing need for technicians to assemble, test and repair the donated computers, as well as volunteers for clerical and fund-raising assistance, and help with the mentorship program.

Volunteer time is flexible, according to an individual’s schedule. For more information, call 326-8292 or visit the office at 606 W. Sharp.

, DataTimes MEMO: Community Update appears each Sunday in The Spokesman Review. Please allow two weeks notice for inclusion in this column.