By Peggy Chandler
It is difficult for me to believe that Halloween is here and before we know it, Thanksgiving will be too, which brings me to this: I am, again, this year the Royal Pines volunteer liaison for The Festival of Trees. This annual event raises money for FRIENDS of Caroline Hospice, a nonprofit United Way agency that provides home care for patients with a life-threatening illness.
This year the event runs from December 3 to 8 at the Charles “Lind” Brown Neighborhood Activity Center, formerly known as The Greene Street Gym. The Gift and Gourmet Shop raises funds by selling donated items at the event.  If you are able to donate: time to work a two or three hour shift at the Gift and Gourmet shop; baked goods (holiday wrapped); handmade items valued less than $50; new or gently used children’s books; jams or jellies; or a tax deductible monetary donation, please contact me at buddysoma@embarqmail.com or 322-0472.
Royal Pines neighborhood donations are scheduled for drop off on Monday- December 3 between 9 a.m. and noon.  If you would like to participate in this Royal Pines Community activity, please drop off your donated items to me on Sunday, December 2 between noon and 5 p.m. at 4 John Calhoun Street or you may deliver them directly to the Activity Center on Sunday, December 3 from noon-5 p.m.  Royal Pines has been well represented over the past few years and I thank you in advance for your contributions to this worthy cause.
Royal Pines residents, John Clark and Ernie Chandler, have become active members of Beaufort American Legion Post 9.  Since its charter, the American Legion has been welcoming veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces. Today, they continue to welcome all military personnel serving the United States. Beaufort Post 9 supports various organizations assisting veterans, organizing a youth baseball program, and providing scholarship money to USCB students from the program. All of the monies raised are given back to the community. If you would like to join the American Legion or transfer from another post to Beaufort Post 9, contact Rich Delmore at 843-473-5534.
If you wish to help the American Legion to continue sponsoring scholarships for children or to give aid and assistance to local veterans and their families, please send donations to Beaufort American Legion Post 9, P.O. Box 2540, Beaufort, SC 29901.