n Mahanoy City: A townwide food and Birthright drive sponsored by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church will be held March 10. Residents who wish to participate are asked to turn their porch lights on at 6 p.m. Nonperishable food items and new baby items will be collected by teen members of the parish. Those who do not have a porch light but wish to donate should call Debbie at 570-773-0813.
n Nesquehoning: The Navy Club of the United States, USS Carbon County Ship 260, which also covers Coaldale and Tamaqua in Schuylkill County, meets at 7 p.m. the last Monday of the month in the Nesquehoning VFW post, 300 E. Center St. The unit, which previously met in Lansford, is looking for new members. People 18 or older may also become associate members, according to Robert Siesputowski, chaplain and public relations coordinator. Scott Reinhart is the current commander. Siesputowski said the club is in the process of electing new officers. The club is open to all active duty, reserve and honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Army and Air Force veterans may become associate members. For more information, call Siesputowski at 570-645-3643.
n Port Carbon: The Vietnam Veterans Home Association, 612 Fifth St., will sponsor a food sale beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday. Patrons will be able to eat in or take food out. Items will include bleenies, halushki, halupkies, bean soup, chicken corn soup, barbecue, hamburgers and hot dogs. There will also be baked goods and refreshments. For more information or to order, call 570-628-9036.
n Pottsville: During the March 5 meeting in Pine View Acres, the Pottsville Kiwanis Club will honor - and roast - long-time member Harold Allen Furness, the "colonel." Members who wish to deliver a two-minute presentation are asked to call Jim Clark at 570-621-7744. Members also are asked to bring along old photos of Furness. Those who can't attend but would like to write a short recollection or congratulatory note should email James.clark@knbt.com or forward it to Clark at 6 Cottage Hill West, Pottsville, PA 17901.
n Ringtown: The Ringtown Valley Community Fund distributed 2013 fund drive donations to the following participating organizations: Ringtown Community Ambulance Association Inc., Ringtown Area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Ringtown Area Library, Ringtown Area Recreation Complex, Ringtown Pastors Association, Ringtown Valley Food Pantry, Ringtown Valley Senior Citizens, American Red Cross, Avenues and Schuylkill County Society for Crippled Children, according to a fund press release. Membership cards were also distributed to residents contributing to the 2013 drive. In the release, the Ringtown Valley Community Fund Committee voiced thanks to all industries, businesses and residents who participated in the success of the drive. Residents are reminded that late donations can be mailed to the Ringtown Valley Community Fund at P.O. Box 204, Ringtown, PA 17967.
n Shenandoah: An American Red Cross blood drive sponsored by the Shenandoah branch of M&T Bank will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in St. Stephen Roman Catholic Parish Hall, Main and Oak streets. To schedule an appointment, call 800-733-2767 or go online to www.redcrossblood.org. All presenting donors in March may enter for a chance to win an emergency preparedness kit.
n Tamaqua: A new community youth drama program is under way, hosted by Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. The first production will be an Easter play titled "And In Heaven the Angels," according to the announcement. The new program will provide children of all ages - through 12th grade - with the opportunity to learn all aspects of theatrical productions, from speaking and non-speaking roles to prop design, costumes and other activities. Preschool children must be accompanied by an adult for moral support. The effort began Feb. 11 and the group meets from 5 to 6 p.m. every Monday at the church, Greenwood Street. The Easter production will be presented at 5 p.m. March 23, with refreshments courtesy of Zion's culinary crew. Adult volunteers are also needed for the effort. For more information, call 570-668-2180, 570-449-3024 or email zionlcof@ptd.net.