<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>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>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 theses 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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<b>Apply, attend training as Hope Haven volunteer   </b>

Hope Haven of the Lowcountry, the Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center is accepting applications for volunteers and interns to attend the January/February 2014 Hope Haven volunteer training. Hope Haven volunteers serve as hospital advocates to child and adult survivors of sexual assault, and are also trained to answer crisis calls from the 24-hour hotline. Experts in law enforcement, counseling, and the medical field will present information regarding working with sexual assault victims. The 25-hour training also includes multi-media presentations, group discussions and role plays to equip volunteers with the skills necessary to help victims in crisis situations. Training will be held January 27, January 29, January 31, February 4, February 6, and February 8. The weekday sessions will be from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the Saturday session from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  All six sessions must be attended for crisis intervention volunteers to be fully trained. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, please call Christine Smith at 843-524-2256.

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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>Speaker to discuss marriage, annulments </b>

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Annulments Presentation, Q/A, discussion: What can enable the Catholic Church to declare that a previous marriage is invalid, and null? Valerie Maxineau, JCL Director/Moderator of the Tribunal Chancery/Judge, Diocese of Charleston will be at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 70 Lady’s Island Dr., Beaufort, on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, from 10 a.m. to noon. This presentation is open to persons: Divorced or marrying a divorced person, Catholics married outside the church, and all who are interested. Contact Theresa Pulliam at 524-2604, pulliamins@hargray.com or Deborah Richard at 575-3742, deborahm@catholic.org.

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<b>Beth Israel Synagogue to get historical marker </b>

The Beaufort County Historical Society will start 2014, the beginning of its 75th Anniversary year, with the dedication of a historical marker at the Beth Israel Synagogue on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 2:30 p.m. at the corner of West and Craven streets. According to Beaufort County Historical Society board member and researcher Linda Hoffman, “Beth Israel Synagogue was chartered October 16, 1905. On June 14, 1908, the dedication of Beth Israel Synagogue occurred with members of the Beaufort community attending as this was a milestone not only for the small Jewish community but for the larger community as well.” Hoffman goes on to say, “Descendants of the original officers and members of the synagogue are still living in Beaufort and are members of the synagogue. The Jewish community has been an integral part of Beaufort County since the mid to late 1800s.”

This is event open to the public. The Beaufort County Historical Society is the oldest association in Beaufort County dedicated to the study and preservation of history. A member based organization, the society was established in 1939. For more information, contact President Mary Lou Brewton at maryloubrew@aol.com or 912-604-3634 or visit www.beaufortcountyhistoricalsociety.org.

<b>Donate to give blood, register to win prizes   </b>

The Blood Alliance invites you to give blood at Resolutions for Life, on Sunday, January 5, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Blood Alliance at Beaufort donor center, 1001 Boundary Street, Suite A, Beaufort, SC 29902. All donors who register to donate blood will automatically be entered into a random drawing for a pair of tickets to the Beaufort Historic Foundation’s Annual Oyster Roast, on January 17, at Fripp Plantation plus a chance to win one of eight Blu Ray players. One lucky donor will win a 32-inch HDTV! Additionally, from now through January 11, 2014, each time donors register to donate, they will be entered into a random drawing to win a four-door, 2014 Chevrolet Silverado* compliments of Nimnicht Chevrolet! To make an appointment to donate, visit www.igiveblood.com, use the free Apple and Droid app at: “iDon8” or call The Blood Alliance at Beaufort at 843-533-0409 or 888-99-TBA-HERO (888-998-2243).

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<b>Don’t miss the inaugural Island Girls Night Out   </b>

The inaugural Island Girls Night Out will kick off the new year on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Bella Luna on St. Helena Island.

The event will feature business women in the Beaufort area and is open to all who want to meet and share ideas with other interesting and fun local women. There will be women representing all backgrounds of expertise from wellness, accounting, banking, clothing, retail, antiques, restaurants and entrepreneurs from all walks of life.

Whether you’re looking for a way to relax and have a laugh after work, or hoping to break up a long week by spending a little time away from the kids on a Wednesday night, this is an opportunity for all women in our community to share stories and spend a great evening together.

Enjoy special cocktail prices, door prizes, and the delicious Italian food that makes Bella Luna such a popular locally owned restaurant. Bring a business card and we will introduce you and your business. It is also a good way to plug your business through the newspaper.

The Island News’ newest sales rep Irene Goodnight will be the MC for the event. She is a well known guitar player and singer around town, but she is also a local business women who has had several successful businesses.

If you are interested in offering a door prize for this event, or if you are interested in sponsoring the next Island Girls Night Out, please contact Irene at 615-243-4684.

Bella Luna Cafe is at 859 Sea Island Parkway, St. Helena Island, SC, 29920. Call 843-838-3188 for directions.