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.

Red Cross

blood drives

MONROE

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

• 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.

• 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.

Pancake breakfast with Santa

monroe

Applebee’s will host a pancake breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Dec. 12 to raise money for Union Elementary School. The breakfast includes three pancakes, sausage and a beverage of choice. Santa and one of his elves will be on hand for pictures and to see who has been naughty or nice. The breakfast is $6 and must be prepaid to the Union Elementary PTO by 2 p.m. Dec. 11. For more information, call 704-624-5400. Applebee’s is located at 2239 W. Roosevelt Blvd. in Monroe.

Benefit breakfast for Simpson family

UNIONVILLE

Lakeview Baptist Church and Emmanuel Baptist Church will have a benefit breakfast for the Mike Simpson family on Dec. 12 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Emmanuel, 3816 Morgan Mill Road. Simpson has been diagnosed with liver cancer. Minimum donation, $6; proceeds will go to help offset medical costs. Checks should be made payable to Lakeview Baptist Church for the Mike Simpson Fund.

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 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:

• 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.

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