Operation Christmas Child In Need Of Items

Thanksgiving is coming up and, soon after that, Christmas. Gift buying hasn’t started in earnest yet, but it is already time to think of what to get the needy children of the world.

Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church is participating in Operation Christmas Child, a program that collects gift packages and distributes them to poor children around the world.

Those who would like to help are asked to gather items into a shoe box and bring it to the church between Nov. 10 and 16, so the boxes can be shipped in time for Christmas. People can choose to buy gifts for either a boy or a girl in several age categories, including infants, 2 to 4 years old, 5 to 9 years old, and 10 to 14 years old.

In addition to the items listed below, people are asked to include age-appropriate toys such as rattles, teething rings, building blocks, balls, stuffed animals, dolls, trucks, frisbees or jumping ropes.

Toddlers and older children can use soap, washcloths, crayons, coloring books, school supplies, hats, gloves, scarfs, socks, underwear, toothpaste, toothbrushes and hair brushes. Special needs for infants include wet wipes, diaper rash ointment and pacifiers as well as soap and washcloths.

Specific items that should not be included are any glass or breakable items, food of any kind and war toys (fake guns, knives, etc.).

People are asked to mark the gender and age group of the intended recipient on the lid of the box. The box must also include $5 to cover shipping. All boxes can be dropped of at Whitworth Presbyterian, 312 W. Hawthorne. For a more specific list of what to include in the boxes, call the church office at 466-0305.

Food and games at St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas Anitiochian Orthodox Church, 1325 E. Queen, will host a fund-raising dinner at 6 p.m. on Friday. The dinner will be followed by board games.

Admission to the event is $10. Dinner is $3 per person and the first glass of wine is $1. All other beverages and snacks will be free. All proceeds will be used to reduce the church’s deficit.

Spaghetti feed Sunday

The education committee for St. Peter Lutheran Church will host a spaghetti feed Sunday at noon. The cost of the meal is $3 for adults, $2 for youth or $8 per family. All proceeds will be used to purchase Sunday school materials.

The church is located at 4620 N. Regal. For tickets or more information, call the church office at 487-4843.

Craft fair at Messiah Lutheran

Messiah Lutheran Church 4202 N. Belt, will host its fourth annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Master Bohemian Lampworker David Gover will be in attendance and will give glassblowing demonstrations hourly.

The youth of the church will serve refreshments and lunch throughout the day. Christmas items and baked goods will be on sale, and children can make crafts in the Hands-on Children’s Corner while mom and dad shop.

Bazaar at Emmanuel Presbyterian

Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, 1926 W. Chelan, will host a bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Items for sale include quilts, Christmas items, crafts and baked goods.

Soup and sandwiches will be served throughout the day.

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