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Debra Mainiero
Sunday, November 21, 1999 Page: 8
Last month, Volunteers of America brought the dinner show “Lucille Fala as
Lillie Langtry” to our area. Thanks to rave reviews, Fala will return with
her holiday show in December with proceeds benefiting the Campaign for
Caregivers, a local program of Volunteers of America.
But what is Volunteers of America? Here in Pennsylvania it is an
organization dedicated to the service of God through service to our neighbors.
Its creed is: “To go wherever we are needed, and do whatever comes to hand.”
Volunteers provide a variety of services after undergoing extensive
training so they can be most effective as caregivers. They are familiar with
community resources such as hospice care and visiting nurse services. But you
might just as readily find them fixing a leaky faucet, providing a ride to the
grocery store, or sitting with a sick child. Sometimes they simply listen.
In Hazleton, the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers is operating on what
remains of a $25,000 grant from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. A $10,000
grant has been offered to the organization, but it comes with a string: By the
end of this year, it must be matched by contributions from the community.
You can donate your money. You can donate your time, even if you have only
one hour a week to share. Contact director Alice Kender of the local office of
Volunteers of America at 454-3812 for more information on how you can make a
difference.
* * *
The Hazleton YMCA/YWCA HAZY Swim Team will hold a Chinese Auction and bake
sale today in the gymnasium. Doors open at noon; the auction begins at 3 p.m.
Refreshments will be sold. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Call
455-2046.
* * *
The 12th annual Festival of Trees, sponsored by the Hazleton Healthcare
Foundation, begins today from 2-8 p.m. at Genetti Best Western Motor Lodge,
state Route 309 north, Hazleton. “Breakfast with Santa” runs from 10 a.m.- 1
p.m. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Make
reservations by calling Genetti’s at 454-2494.
The public exhibition is from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Tickets
will be sold at the door. The cost is $3 for adults and $1 for children. Kids
under age 6 get in free. Twenty-five decorated theme trees will be sold by
silent bid. Also available are decorated wreaths and evergreens, baked goods,
crafts, games for children, tricky trays and photographs with Santa. There
will be live entertainment. All proceeds benefit the OB/GYN Department of the
Greater Hazleton Health Alliance.
* * *
Singles Organized Alliance for Recreation will hold a “Harvest Moon Dance
Party” from 7-11 tonight at Stefanisko’s, state Route 309 south, Hazleton.
Music will be provided by DJ Bob Sosar, and attire must be dressy. Admission
is $5 and open to all single adults, both members and non-members.
The organization will hold its ninth annual “Holly Jolly Christmas Dance
Party” beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Eli’s Restaurant, 139 N. Broad St.,
West Hazleton. Included will be a cash bar, get-acquainted hour, home-style
dinner, visit from Santa and dancing with DJ Bob Sosar. The cost is $25 for
members and $35 for non-members. Send your check to: SOAR, P.O. Box 872,
Hazleton, PA 18201. Deadline to reserve is Nov. 28.
Their New Year’s Eve “New Millennium Dance Party” will also be held Dec.
31, 7 p.m. at Stefanisko’s. DJ Mike Genetti will provide the music. There will
be a get-acquainted hour, home-style dinner, dancing, champagne and
noisemakers. Dressy attire required. Cost is $25 for members and $40 for
non-members. Make payments out to SOAR and send to the address above. The
deadline to reserve is Dec. 27.
For more information on membership and activities, call Rose, 454-5008, or
Wilma, 454-3702.
* * *
Parents/Education/Resources/Community, a support group for
parents/guardians of children with educational or other challenges, will meet
at 6 p.m. Monday in the CAN-DO Building, 1 S. Church St., downtown Hazleton.
Refreshments will be served. Guest speaker will be Maryann Scarantino,
director, Information and Referral of the regional office of the Pennsylvania
Department of Health, Special Kids Network. The network is a statewide system
that assists families of children with special needs by combining information
and referral services with community systems. Call (800) 986-4550. The group
holds free monthly meetings open to the public. To learn more, call Diana,
459-5557, or Karen, 455-5760.
* * *
The Historic Brainerd Church, located off state Route 93, Sybertsville,
will hold a Thanksgiving Eve service at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The public is
invited.
* * *
A bloodmobile will be available from 1-6 p.m. Nov. 29 at Trinity Lutheran
Church, Church and Hemlock streets, Hazleton. The target is 50 donors. Blood
donors are welcome from 9 a.m.-noon any Friday in the Office and Education
Building of Hazleton General Hospital where 20 units are needed weekly. During
this holiday season when donations are low, be sure to make time to give the
gift of life.
* * *
Special Olympics of Hazleton will meet at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 at the John
Heinz Outpatient Center, state Route 93, West Hazleton, near the Laurel Mall.
The discussion will include what sports will be available to participants and
their starting dates. Anyone who wishes to participate as an athlete,
committee volunteer, coach, assistant coach or peer coach is welcome to
attend. Refreshments will be served. Call Diane Francis, 459-5557, or Angie
Black, 459-0141.
* * *
The education department of the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance will
sponsor a free seminar titled “High Blood Pressure” 6 p.m. Dec. 1 in the
second-floor board room of Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center. Guest speaker
Sami Moussa, MD will discuss risk factors, detection, prevention and
treatment. He will also advise participants about lifestyle changes which can
reduce one’s blood pressure. Registration is necessary.
The Alliance will hold an Infant/Child CPR Basic Life Support class from
6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical Center cafeteria.
Participants will become certified to perform CPR on infants to children up to
age 8, as well as other safety tips and first-aid techniques. Recommended for
parents, grandparents, babysitters and child care providers. There is a fee.
Call to register.
In conjunction with Catholic Social Services, the alliance will hold a
Parenting Class 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 in the Hazleton-St. Joseph Medical
Center cafeteria. A group discussion on the challenges of being a parent in
the ’90s. Topics will include: “Understanding Your Child’s Misbehaving,”
“Developing Mutual Respect,” “Logical Consequences for Misbehavior” and
“How to Listen to Your Child.” There is a small fee.
To register for any of these classes, or for more information, call
450-7399 or (888) 530-7888.
The Alliance “Directory of Physicians” is now available free to the
public. More than 100 active local physicians are listed alphabetically and by
specialty. Call 450-7399 or (888) 530-7888 Monday through Friday, between 9
a.m.-3 p.m.
The Pastoral Outreach Program of the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance and
volunteers of UNICO have begun a “Respite Care Program” for the caregivers
of Alzheimer’s patients. The program will allow a caregiver some free time
while a volunteer stays with the patient. Periodic meetings will be held for
the volunteers, caregivers, Alzheimer’s patients, and various guest speakers
to provide encouragement and moral support. Activities for the group are also
planned such as bowling and a social hour. Call Pat Paterick at 501-6289.
* * *
Volunteers of America will present the “Victorian Yuletide” Lilly Langtry
Dinner Show Dec. 19 at Edgewood in the Pines, Butler Township. A full-course
dinner will be served at noon, followed by the show which features Lucille
Fala. The cost for both is $25 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the
office of Volunteers of America, 24 E. Broad St., downtown Hazleton, or by
calling Alice Kender, director, at 454-3812. Proceeds benefit the Greater
Hazleton Volunteer Caregivers.
* * *
Remember that Monday evening is the deadline to have events listed in next
week’s column. Call me at 454-2821; you can also send faxes to this number if
you let me know in advance. Send e-mail to: [email protected] and regular mail
to: Debra Mainiero, 357 Muir Ave., Hazleton, PA 18201-7430.