Editor’s note: News items for the “You Can Help” section may include poker runs, charitable fundraisers (charities must be registered 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 organizations), and volunteer opportunities. All items must be received by noon Friday to be considered for inclusion the following Wednesday.

Youth Ballet flapjack breakfast

monroe

The Union County Youth Ballet will partner with Applebee’s in Monroe on Saturday to host a flapjack breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Money raised will help offset the cost of the ballet’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.” Tickets are $7 for a short stack of pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk. To purchase tickets, call Shelly Brannon at 704-207-7200 or 704-289-5733.

First Presbyterian Community Jubilee

MONROE

First Presbyterian Church will have its sixth annual Community Jubilee on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature more than 30 vendors offering foods, crafts and collectibles. Items prepared by the women of the church include baked and canned goods, church cookbooks, knitted and crocheted items and more than 700 frozen entrees. There will also be an attic sale and silent auction. Money raised will support the church building fund and a variety of benevolences. The Jubilee is open to the public and admission is free. For information, call 704-289-2574.

Operation

Christmas Child

MONROE

Union County residents can pack shoe box gifts for children in more than 100 countries suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty as part of Operation Christmas Child.

From the county, the shoe box gifts will be sorted and sent via sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels, and even dog sleds to reach children around the world.

Local sites will accept shoe boxes through Monday or Tuesday:

The Union Baptist Association, 1744 Williams Road, Monroe, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today; 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday.

The Jesse Helms Center, 3910 U.S. Highway 74, Wingate will accept items in the parking lot from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and 7:30 a.m. to noon Monday and Tuesday.

Step-by-step instructions are available at www.samartianspurse.org.

Operation Christmas Child uses tracking technology that allows donors to “follow your box” to the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need. To register shoe box gifts and find out what country they are delivered to, use the EZ Give donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 704-583-1463 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.

CBC plans

blood drives

MONROE

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will have the following blood drives in November in Monroe:

• Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lakeview Baptist Church, 4602 Concord Highway.

• Sunday, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Union Square Cinema 8, 1911 Dickerson Blvd.; free movie ticket to all presenting donors.

• Nov. 29, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 503 Maurice St.

Donors must weigh a minimum of 120 pounds.

The Arc poinsettias

MONROE

The Arc of Union County is accepting orders for its annual holiday poinsettia sale. A 6-inch, red, white or pink poinsettia is $12, and the profits from the sale will benefit Union County residents with developmental disabilities. Single plants may be picked up at The Arc offices after Nov. 30; orders of 20 or more plants can be delivered.

“(Each) donation helps us to be able to continue the quality advocacy and programming for people with developmental disabilities in Union County,” Executive Director Melinda Plue said in a news release. “We have been hit hard by statewide budget cuts and a drop in our United Way funding, and we are committed to forging ahead and not looking back — but we need your help.”

Buyers must send their name, address, phone number and e-mail address, along with the quantity of poinsettias (please specify pink, red, or white). Orders with check (made payable to The Arc of Union County) should be mailed to The Arc of Union County, 1653-C Campus Park Drive, Monroe, NC 28112; to make an order with a credit card, please call 704-261-1550.

Soldier coin

fundraiser

MONROE

Members of the Family Readiness Group are raising money to purchase unit coins for soldiers in the Bravo Battery 1st Battalion 113th Field Artillery.

These unit coins, also known as challenge coins among other names, identify their bearers as unit members.

Family members are expecting the cost of the coins to be between $3,500 and $4,000. They have set up an account at the State Employees Credit Union under the name “Coins of Courage.” Anyone wishing to donate money can do so at any SECU. The unit would like to have the coins delivered for presentation while the unit is still deployed.

— Staff Writer Elisabeth Arriero

Turning Point Christmas drive

MONROE

Union County Mommies is collecting hygiene items for Turning Point, a domestic violence shelter for women and children, from Dec. 1 through Dec. 18. Items needed are deodorant, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, tampons and pads. Scented body lotion, bath loofahs or sponges, liquid body wash or shower gel may also be donated. Union County Mommies will pick up items anywhere in Union County. Donations will go to the shelter for Christmas. Items are tax deductible.

To donate, call Sheila Jones at 704-281-7621 or e-mail sheila@unioncountymommies.com.

New Salem Elf Run

NEW SALEM

The New Salem Roadrunners will have their third annual Elf Run at the New Salem Elementary School track on Dec. 5. Registration for the family fun run/walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. Entry fee is a new unwrapped toy. The Roadrunners hope to raise money and toys for local families in need at Christmas.

Carolinas Medical Center-Union will conduct a health fair, Dwayne Carpenter will provide DJ service and Santa will pay a visit. Refreshments will be available and goody bags will be offered while supplies last.

Awards, including some for best elf costume and best Christmas spirit, will be presented at 10 a.m.

For information, call Beverly Little at 704-385-9430.