More than 30 Glenn Dale Elementary School students visited the University of Pennsylvania last month as part of the school’s new college tour initiative.

The students, who told parent-teacher association members about their trip Monday evening, also toured historic Philadelphia and the Franklin Institute, said Theresa Surmanek, a fourth-grade teacher at Glenn Dale Elementary.

“This was an amazing experience [for students],” she said. “It gave a real-world reason for why they’re going to school.”

The tours are part of Principal Jacqueline Marshall’s goal to expose students to at least three colleges by the time they leave elementary school.

The school’s college tour committee hopes to arrange a trip to Brown University in Providence, R.I., next fall, Surmanek said, and to organize one visit per year thereafter.

The trip cost students about $200 each, but fundraisers should help offset costs for next year’s trip.

Drop off holiday toy donations at Seat Pleasant fire station

Residents who want to donate to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program can drop off their donations at the Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company at 6305 Addison Road.

The fire station is partnering with the Prince George's County police department to become a drop off site.

Call the station at 301-336-2331 for more information.

Landover Hills church youths raise money for county homeless shelters

The Ebenezer New Testament Church of God presented $3,500 on Dec. 4 to the Prince George's House and Family Crisis Center Inc. homeless shelters a result of the church’s “Camp Out to Help Out The Homeless" fundraiser.

Prince George’s House is a men's shelter in Capitol Heights, and Brentwood-based Family Crisis Center Inc. is open to domestic violence victims.

A group of church youths camped overnight in tents Nov. 11 outside of the Landover Hills church to raise awareness on homelessness.

Community college students to pack food baskets for families in need

Students and staff from Prince George’s Community College in Largo will pack 500 baskets of food for needy families on Friday afternoon.

The service project, which will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at the Bunker Hill Fire/EMS Station in Brentwood, is part of the Prince George’s County Public Safety Assistance Program Inc., which will offer about 3,000 Christmas food baskets this year.

Lanham man finishes Marines basic training

Marine Corps Pvt. Antwan M. Walker of Lanham recently finished basic training in Parris Island, S.C.

Walker, the son of Mary J. Walker of Lanham, went through physical conditioning, completed assignments in the classroom and the field, and learned the values (courage, commitment and honor) of the Marine Corps during his 12 weeks of training.

Learn more about mentoring organization at Men Aiming Higher meeting

Men Aiming Higher, a Mitchellville-based mentoring organization, will have its last general meeting of the year on Monday.

Guests interested in learning about the organization are welcome to attend as its approximately 70 members use the meeting to set the organization’s schedule for 2012.

Events planned for the year include an arts benefit, a job fair, a health clinic and a Fathers’ Day cookout, said Darryl Barnes, the organization’s president.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at 8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 500, Landover.

Youth performing arts group kicks off in January in Capitol Heights

The Oakcrest Community Center in Capitol Heights is kicking off its youth performing arts program, Strengthening Positive Ideas thru Community Entertainment, also known as S.P.I.C.E., on Jan. 9.

The group is a chance for youth ages 12 to 17 to learn professional dance, song writing and theater.

The kick-off is from 6 to 8 p.m. at 1300 Capitol Heights Blvd. The eight-week program will meet Mondays and Wednesdays.

Youths pay $40 to join and $48 if they are not Prince George's County residents.

Call 301-736-5355 for more information.

District Heights community pools efforts for winter coat drive

A coat drive sponsored by District Heights Elementary School, the District Heights Police Department and the First Baptist Church of District Heights is in progress to gather donations of hats, gloves and scarves in sizes six, eight, 10, 12 and 14 for both boys and girls.

Email Tiffany Lee at tiffanymoss612@yahoo.com about dropping off and picking up items.

Free produce today, senior dinner coming to Capitol Heights

Got Hope, a free produce program based in Capitol Heights, will make fresh vegetables and fruits available from 3 to 5 p.m. today to residents on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Vivian M. Dodson Municipal Center at One Capitol Heights Blvd.

Also, Capitol Heights Councilwoman Marnitta King is holding a senior dinner at Gateway Village at 6 p.m. Dec. 29 at 505 Suffolk Ave.

For more information on either event, call 301-336-0626.

Have breakfast with Santa Claus in Landover Hills

Come have breakfast with Santa Claus starting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Landover Hills Town Hall at 6904 Taylor St.

Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children 12 and younger.

Interested residents must make reservations because there are 60 slots available.

There will be a continental breakfast and a surprise activity for children. Doors open at 9:50 a.m., and no one will be admitted past 10:20 a.m.

Call 301-773-6401 for more information.

Giant Food’s annual Black History Month essay contest open to local middle school students

Giant Food is now accepting entries in its sixth annual Black History Month Essay Contest.

This year's contest will honor Martin Luther King Jr. and the theme is, "Making a difference: What can you do to help fight hunger in your community?"

The contest is open to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders living in Maryland as well as Washington, D.C., Delaware and Virginia. Entries must be turned in by Dec. 31.

Interested youths should visit www.giantfood.com/our_stores/mlk/index about contest rules and how to submit an application.

Youths invited to join new group on path to saving lives

Youths in central Prince George’s are encouraged to join a new Fire/EMS Explorer Program starting in December that is run through the Boy Scouts of America and the Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company.

Basic training opportunities are available for youths between 14 and 20 who want to learn more about emergency medical services and firefighting.

For more information, call Nicole Bennett at 240-706-7708 or Phil Martin at 301-836-1957.

Residents may also visit http://exploring.learningforlife.org.