<b>Get help enrolling in Affordable Care Act</b>

A free presentation about enrolling in the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, will be held Thursday, Dec. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Love House Ministries Community Bowling Center, 1140 Ribaut Road, Beaufort. For questions or help understanding the law, this event is open to the public and certified ACA Navigators will be available. There will also be translators for Spanish speakers. For details, contact 843-476-4226.

<b>Group celebrates Yule, the Winter Solstice</b>

Encounter the longest night of the year with merriment, mirth and magic. Come join Ancient Sea Island Continuum for Yule, the Winter Solstice, mankind’s oldest continuous celebration. Bring a dish for the potluck feast and a non-perishable food donation for Help of Beaufort. Child care provided but this indoor celebration is kid-friendly on Saturday, December 20, at 178 Sams Point Road, Lady’s Island at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort. Smudging begins at 6 p.m. For questions, email asic.herald@gmail.com.

<b>TCL Women’s Holiday Luncheon to be held</b>

Everyone is invited to attend the 3rd Annual TLC Women’s Holiday Luncheon, to be held Saturday, December 20, at noon at the Cat Island Pub &amp; Grill. The luncheon will include food, fellowship, and fun wrapping gifts for children in the local shelters and community. Average cost of lunch is $12. Call Tonya Phillips for any questions at 843-322-0262 or thelowcountrywomen@gmail.com.

<b>Adaptive Golf Clinic for those with disabilities</b>

Don’t let a disability or physical challenge keep you from enjoying the game of golf. Learn how to play with other civilians, veterans and active military personnel at the Adaptive Golf Clinic being held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at the Legends of Parris Island. Using adaptive techniques and tools, you’ll be able to tee off with the best of them and sink putts like a champion. Golf is an excellent therapeutic activity for those with disabilities that helps with balance and coordination and builds strength. Adaptive Golf clinics, sponsored by Beaufort Memorial Hospital and Legends of Parris Island, are held the third Saturday of each month at the driving range. Everyone is welcome. For more information or to register, contact either BMH physical therapist Steve Giammona at 843-522-5850 or Sgiammona@bmhsc.org, or PGA professional Andy Hinson at 843-228-2240, hinsonca@usmc-mccs.org.

<b>Plant the Seed Ministry offers Christmas meal</b>

Plant the Seed Ministry is offering a free Christmas Meal, Thursday, December 25 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The meal is offered in the parking lot of the Atlantic Inn, 2249 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902. For more information, to volunteer or donate, please contact Joy Kircher at 843-575-2200 or email joykircher028@gmail.com.

<b>Drop off Toys for Tots at Merry Maids office
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The local Merry Maids office at 829 Parris Island Gateway will once again serve as a Toys for Tots drop off location. They are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be accepting toys until Dec. 24.

<b>Support ‘Adopt A Child’ gift giving drive</b>

It’s that time of the year again to celebrate the holidays, while giving back to the community. The Lowcountry Women’s Fellowship is sponsoring an “Adopt A Child” Christmas Gift Giving Drive for the children in local shelters and the community.  Most of the children in CAPA, CODA, Family Promise and Hope Haven are displaced due to homelessness or abuse. Let’s put smiles on their faces by showing them our love and support during this holiday season. If you would like to purchase a gift or gifts for a child or children, please contact Tonya Phillips at 843-322-0262 or thelowcountrywomen@gmail.com.

<b>Penn Center holds annual Nativity Play</b>

Penn Center holds its annual Nativity Play on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m., at the Frissell Community House, Penn Center Circle West, St. Helena Island, SC.

<b>Healthy living class to be at Herban Marketplace</b>

Sarah Mastriani-Levi, an International Health Coach and Personal Chef will hold her sixth class, “Oil Pulling, Colon Cleansing.”  The class will be held Sunday, Dec. 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the kitchen at Herban Marketplace. “Eat Well. Live Well. Stay Well. Series is designed to give an introduction into the principles of authentic healthy eating including: organics, food preparation and eating to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Recipes, demonstrations and samples will be provided. The cost is $30. Call 843-379-5550 or visit herbanmarketplace.com.

<b>Don’t forget to donate medical equipment</b>

Are you clearing out clutter to ring in the New Year? Consider donating your lightly used medical equipment to The Lending Room, an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) charity that lends gently used medical equipment to individuals regardless of income, age or insurance status for a $1 donation. The organization aims to connect those who need medical equipment with unwanted equipment that would otherwise collect dust in an attic or be discarded. Operating in Beaufort since 1961, the organization accepts and loans items in good condition such as walkers, canes, crutches, shower chairs, bedside commodes and wheelchairs. Walkers and wheelchairs are in high demand. 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 Place Senior Living at 1624 Paris Ave., Port Royal, SC 29935 directly across the street from the Port Royal Post Office. Arrangements for very large items must be made in advance. Tax deductible receipts can be given out on request.

<b>Black chamber can assist with high mortgage rates</b>

Mortgage rates too high? If your mortgage rate is too high and you have not had a permanent modification, call the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce to apply for a permanent modification. There are programs to help homeowners who are overwhelmed by today’s economic conditions. The chamber is located at 801 Bladen Street. Contact Wilma Holman, office manager, at 843-986-1102.

<b>CODA will be holding training for volunteers</b>

CODA will be holding its next volunteer training beginning January 10, 2015. Training hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on January 10 and will continue on January 12, 13, and 14 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. All four sessions must be completed prior to beginning volunteer activities. CODA volunteers will be trained in working with victims of domestic violence, answering the 24-hour crisis line and a variety of activities working either on site in CODA’s offices and/or the shelter, or at various community events as representatives of CODA. Interested individuals should contact Theresa Lacey at (843) 770-1074 ext. 225, or visit www.codalowcountry.org and click on the volunteer tab.

<b>Clemson Extension fundraiser selling trees</b>

The Clemson Extension Services of Beaufort, Colleton, and Jasper counties are having their annual Fruit and Ornamental Tree sale fundraiser. Please contact Patti Chapman at 843-726-3470 ext. 114, for order forms, or stop in at one of the extension offices in Beaufort, Colleton, or Jasper county.  Deadline for tree orders is: Wednesday, January 21. Make checks payable to: Clemson University P.O. Box 1089 Ridgeland, SC 29936. Clemson Extension employs Extension Agents who work closely with state extension specialists and researchers located on campus and at the various research and education centers located across the state.

<b>Musical production features ‘Watch Night’</b>

“Watch Night: Gullah/Geechee Freedum Cum!” will premiere at Penn Center’s Darrah Hall on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 4 p.m.   This new Gullah/Geechee histo-musical production features Queen Quet Marquetta L. Goodwine, the chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, “Dayclean de African Spirit” and members of “De Gullah Cunneckshun.” “Watch Night: Gullah/Geechee Freedum Cum!” will take the attendees on a Gullah/Geechee historical journey set on St. Helena Island, SC. This dramatic production done in Gullah/Geechee by natives of the Gullah/Geechee Nation will reveal the history of the Watch Night tradition that began during the 1800s and which lives on throughout the Sea Islands. “Hunnuh gwine yeddi why de Gullah/Geechee still da shout and ting fa tru!” Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 4 p.m. Proceeds from the tickets will benefit the Penn Center Heritage Days Celebration and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition (www.gullahgeechee.net).  Tickets are $10 in advance, and are on sale at the Welcome Center at Penn Center on St. Helena Island. Admission will be $15 at the door. Gullah/Geechee cuisine will be on sale along with books, CDs, DVDs, and other Gullah/Geechee items.  For more information, email GullGeeCo@aol.com or call 843-838-1171.

<b>PAL introduces Season for Second Chances</b>

Homeless pets are often overlooked during the holidays, so Palmetto Animal League is introducing Season for Second Chances this year. Running from now through the end of the year adoption fees will be waived on most pet adoptions at Palmetto Animal Leagues facility in Okatie. There will be no fees with cat, kitten and dog adoptions. Puppy adoptions will not be included in this promotion as puppies never have a problem getting adopted.With the Season for Second Chances adoption promotion is a certificate for a free wellness exam at the Palmetto Animal League’s Community Clinic. Palmetto Animal League has over 200 cats and dogs waiting for their second chance at life, love and a holiday home.  If you’re not able to adopt, then please consider donating towards the care of homeless pets. Visit PAL at 56 Riverwalk Boulevard, Okatie, or call 843-645-1725.
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