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.

Boy Scout Troop 55 craft fundraiser

MONROE — Boy Scout Troop 55 will have its 18th annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Show Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 800 S. Hayne St. This is the troop’s main fundraiser. There will be craft vendors and a wide range of items.

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 Saturday. 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.

Christmas donations for troops

Indian Trail — Living Way Foursquare Church in Indian Trail will host a donation drop-off from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Donations will go to the 759th Military Police Battalion serving in Afghanistan. Items needed include three- to four-blade razors, shaving cream, hand sanitizer, lotion, cotton balls, cotton swabs, gum, Lance crackers, CDs, DVDs (not war related), twin bed sheets and boxes of greeting cards. Some of those serving in the battalion have family in Union County. Items will be shipped overseas on Monday. The church is located at 5501 Old Monroe Road, across from Brandon Oaks. For more information, call Deirdre Barbee at 704-320-4375.

Red Cross schedules blood drives

MONROE — The Union County chapter of the American Red Cross has the following blood drives scheduled:

• Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m., Faith United Methodist Church, 3708 Faith Church Road, Indian Trail.

• Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Monroe, 109 Morrow Ave., Monroe, sponsored by Lions Club of Monroe.

• Dec. 17, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., District Court judge’s office, 400 N. Main St., Monroe.

• Dec. 21. 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Hopewell Baptist Church, 420 Hopewell Church Road, Monroe.

For more information on these blood drives or to schedule a blood drive, contact the American Red Cross, Union County chapter, at 704-283-7402.

CBC plans blood drives

MONROE — Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will have the following blood drives in November in Union County:

• Monday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mount Moriah Methodist Church, 6722 Highway 218 East, New Salem.

• Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Joseph Asher Burn Replacement Drive, 2028 Wesley Chapel Road, Indian Trail.

• Dec. 22, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rehabilitation and Nursing Center of Monroe, 1212 E. Sunset Drive, Monroe.

• Dec. 26, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Union Square Cinema 8, 1911 Dickerson Blvd.; free movie ticket to all presenting donors.

Donors must weigh a minimum of 120 pounds. Call 704-972-4700 to make an appointment at any location.

Turning Point Christmas drive

MONROE — Union County Mommies is collecting hygiene items for Turning Point, a domestic violence shelter for women and children, 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.

Wingate VFD Christmas tree lot

WINGATE — The Wingate Volunteer Fire Department has opened a Christmas tree lot, with proceeds going to the department’s operating expenses.

The department has more than 100 trees.

The lot will be open until trees sell out from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The lot is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 74 and Bivens Street, near SunTrust Bank in Wingate.

Gel inserts for soldiers

INDIAN TRAIL — Union West Rotary has issued a challenge to all Union County Rotary Clubs. The club will match up to $1,000 to purchase 500 pairs of gel inserts for soldiers. Gel inserts help with foot comfort and fatigue, as they wear their boots for up to 20 hours a day. Union West Rotary is joining in this campaign with the Charlotte South Park Rotary Club by challenging the Union County clubs to help exceed the 500 pairs goal. Any Union County Rotarian, or anyone who would just like to participate in the challenge may send a check to Union West Rotary, P.O. Box 505, Indian Trail, NC 28079.

Literacy Council wish list

MONROE — The following items will help the Literacy Council serve students and tutors this holiday season and into the new year:

• Volunteer tutors to work with adult learners one-on-one or in small groups for two hours per week. Free training is provided.

• Workshop snacks and paper products: non-perishable cookies, salty snacks, coffee, tea, bottled water, napkins, plates, Styrofoam cups for hot drinks. Gift cards to grocery stores will be used to purchase the above items for our workshops as needed.

• Postage stamps

• Invitation envelopes, card stock, small notepads, manila folders or gift cards to Office Max, Walmart, Target, etc.

• Empty Hewlett Packard and Lexmark printer ink cartridges, which can be redeemed for free paper

• Financial contributions to the book fund

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.