<b>TLC Women host toy and food drive social  </b>

The “TLC Women” are hosting their Second Annual Holiday Social and Toy &amp; Food Drive. The event will be held Saturday, December 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Penn Center Frissell Hall (meal, desserts, drinks and entertainment included).  The tickets are $20 and all proceeds will go toward the NAACP scholarship fund.  The drive will also support children who are in less fortunate situations, therefore, bringing a toy, clothing, or nonperishable food item to the event is optional.  Everyone is welcome to participate.  To purchase tickets or make donations, contact Tonya Phillips at 843-322-0262, or email thelowcountrywomen@gmail.com.

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<b>Sportfishing and diving club has Dec. meeting  </b>

The Beaufort Sportfishing &amp; Diving Club’s December meeting will be held Thursday, December 12 at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on Lady’s Island, off Meridian Road. The social begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. Well-known Captain Herman “Bo” Von Harten will give a presentation on winter shoreline fishing. Captain Von Harten is also a commercial fisherman, who now works out of Charleston. He will discuss rules and regulations regarding fisheries. His wife, Amber, is a member of the South Atlantic Marine Fishery and will give an update on their current regulations, quotas, and future management agendas. You do not need a reservation and guests are always welcome. For additional information, contact Captain Frank Gibson at 843-522-2122.

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<b>DAR will hold annual Christmas Tea  </b>

The Thomas Heyward, Jr. Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will hold their annual Christmas Tea on Thursday, December 12 at 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. Sam Chesnutt, 24 Creekside Lane, St. Helena Island. Hostessing along with Mrs. Chesnutt will be Mrs. Crowther, Mrs. Hailston and Mrs. Servaes. For more information call Charlene Shufelt, Regent at 5251-0158. The Daughters of the American Revolution is an organization comprised of ladies who can trace their lineage back to those who fought for or provided patriotic service to the American forces in the Revolutionary War.

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<b>Christmas events at Riverview Baptist  </b>

Riverview Baptist Church presents the play “Away From the Manger” and the children’s musical, “Sleepover at the Stable,” on Sunday, December 15, at 6 p.m. Light refreshments to follow. Community members are invited to attend this evening of celebration. Riverview Baptist Church is located at 2209 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902.

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<b>Community Bible Church celebrates  </b>

Community Bible Church presents “A Lowcountry Christmas” with The Parris Island Marine Band. Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 9:15 and 11 a.m. “Come See The Lamb” Christmas Musical features all five choirs. The church will hold a candlelight Christmas Eve service on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 5 p.m. Community Bible is located at 638 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort, SC. For more information, call 843-525-0089.

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<b>Beaufort Tea Party has monthly meeting   </b>

Beaufort Tea Party Monthly Meeting will be held Monday, December 16, at 5:30 p.m. at Fuji’s Restaurant on Lady’s Island, 97 Sea Island Parkway, Ste 202, Beaufort, SC, 29907. The guest speaker is Senate Candidate Richard Cash, challenging Senator Lindsey Graham. Seating is limited, so please RSVP to BeaufortTEAParty@gmail.com or 843-473-7712.

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<b>Volunteer for Great Christmas Bird Count </b>

Fripp Audubon &amp; Naturally Fripp Community Wildlife Habitat are organizing local volunteer participation for the annual global Christmas Bird Count. Join wildlife enthusiasts from Fripp, Harbor, Hunting, Lady’s and St. Helena islands on Saturday, Dec. 14. All bird and nature lovers can be field observers or feeder-watchers. Contact Dick Work at 843-271-3351 or dgwork@comcast.net and visit www.islc.net/audubon.

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<b>Donate unused medical equipment this holiday </b>

Are you clearing out clutter to make more space for holiday treasures? If you have any gently used medical equipment that is no longer in use, please consider donating it to the Lending Room. The Lending Room is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) charitable organization that lends gently used medical equipment to individuals regardless of income, age or insurance status. It aims to connect those who need medical equipment with unwanted items that would otherwise collect dust in an attic or be discarded. Operating in Beaufort since 1961, the organization accepts and loans medical equipment in good condition such as walkers, canes, crutches, shower chairs, bedside commodes and wheelchairs. Other types of medical equipment will be considered. To arrange to donate or borrow items, please contact the Lending Room at 843-524-2554. The pick-up/drop-off location is at Helena House Assisted Living at 1624 Paris Ave., Port Royal, SC 29935, across the street from the Port Royal Post Office. Arrangements to drop off large items must be made in advance.

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<b>Alzheimer’s group gives support to caretakers  </b>

Is Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or increased confusion affecting someone you love? To help, Alzheimer’s Family Services of Greater Beaufort offers guidance, information and support to family members and caregivers. An all-gender support group meeting is held on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. On the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 10:30-11:30 a.m., a men’s support group meets to discuss the particular challenges men face in caring for their wives and female loved ones affected by the disease. The meetings are free and open to the public. The meetings are held at Helena House Assisted Living at 1624 Paris Avenue in Port Royal. For more information, please call 843-521-9190.

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<b>Helena House holds Christmas Eve service </b>

A community celebration of Christ’s birth will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. when the Rev. Ted Crandall of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church will celebrate Christmas Eve service at Helena House Assisted Living in Port Royal. The public is invited to attend this special evening of fellowship, Scripture readings and Christmas caroling. This Christian service is free and all are welcome. Helena House is located at 1624 Paris Ave., Port Royal, SC 29935. For more information, call Pastor Crandall at 843-379-3081.

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<b>Church choirs present a Christmas Cantata
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Port Royal United Methodist Church choirs will present a Cantata on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24 at 5 p.m. It is called  “A Night for Dancing” by Hal Hopson. The members of the children’s choir will portray manger animals in a live nativity scene. The church is located at 16th and Columbia streets in Port Royal. Margaret M. Bukkosy is Director of Music.  The community is invited. Call 843-524-2005 for more information.

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<b>Group provides free meal on Christmas Day </b>

Plant the Seed Ministry is having its second annual free Community Christmas Meal on Wednesday, December 25 at the Atlantic Inn, 2249 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you would like to donate or volunteer, call Joy Kircher at 843-575-2200.

<b>Sign up for free nutrition, fitness classes  </b>

Attend free Nutrition Classes every Tuesday at 1 or 6:30 p.m.  Learn all about the benefits of eating healthier, the types of foods to eat to maximize your metabolism and build lean muscle mass and what to do for your overall healthy lifestyle. Free fitness classes are being held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:15 p.m. It’s a great opportunity to work out with a group of like-minded people, have lots of FUN and get the group support you need to keep going so you can reach your goals. Participants of both classes receive a free Wellness Evaluation, your own Personal Coach, nutrition education and group support. They meet at WebsNutrition, 129 Burton Hill Road, Beaufort, next to Domino’s Pizza. For more information, contact Margie at 843-592-5109 or Melody at 843-844-7309. Spaces are limited and fill up quickly.

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<b>Sign up for Master Gardener training class </b>

Beaufort County Clemson University Extension Service is taking applications for the 2014 Master Gardener training classes. The cost is $300 and scholarships are available. The Beaufort class begins January 7 and will be held weekly at the County Extension office on Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Contact Laura Lee Rose at 843-255-606, ext.117, or lrose@clemson.edu.

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<b>FWDG continues annual coat drive </b>

FWDG, a local furniture store, is once again partnering with HELP of Beaufort, Bluffton Self Help and the Deep Well Project on Hilton Head Island to host its 23rd annual coat drive. Over the past two decades, the event has shared more than 41,000 gently used coats with Beaufort County families, ensuring donations help local residents.

“We are constantly amazed at the outpouring of community support for our coat drive,” said Larry Mark, owner of FWDG. “But we still need people to spread the word, because even after 23 years we still find people who don’t know there’s another option to throwing away their old coats.”

Jackets, coats and sweaters can be dropped off at the following location sites through December 31:

• FWDG:

745 Robert Smalls Parkway, Beaufort

• Carolina Stamper:

203 Carteret Street, Beaufort.

And the following BB&amp;T Bank Branches:

• 1 Kemmerlin Drive, Lady’s Island

• 905 Port Republic Street, Beaufort.

For more information, please contact Larry Mark at 843-524-8695 or by e-mail at lmark@fwdgonline.com or visit online at www.fwdgonline.com.
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