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Cindy Majane, executive director of Germantown Help, is looking for gift card and toy donations for the Holiday Giving Project. All donations must be made by Dec. 16, Majane said.
Majane said more than 900 families in Germantown have been referred to the program by school guidance counselors and county case workers. Nov. 30 is the last day counselors and case workers will refer people, Majane said. The program, she said, makes sure parents have gifts for their children and gift cards to buy food for a holiday meal.
New toys can be dropped off at the Parcel Plus Center at 20940-C Frederick Road in Germantown. Store owner Rich Tucker said he would ship one package, up to five pounds, for free for each person who donates a $10 toy. Gift cards can be dropped off at the information desk at BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown.
For more information, e-mail Majane at info@germantownhelp.org or call 301-482-1320, ext. 8.
Tell us what you're thankful for
Before the holidays get too hectic, take a minute to reflect on what you are thankful for. Tell us in 50 words or less what or who you will be giving thanks to during the holidays. E-mail your thoughts and photos to mchadwick@
gazette.net by Friday. Some responses will be printed in upcoming editions of The Gazette or on www.gazette.net.
Thanksgiving tradition
Want to play? E-mail turkeybowl88@yahoo.com by Friday.
Shoot for the moon
Drink and dine Saturday night to benefit animals at Star Gazing Farm in Boyds, a safe haven for unwanted, abused and neglected farm animals.
The 2nd Annual "Fall for the Stars: a Wine Tasting Event to Benefit Star Gazing Farm" runs from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Germantown Historical Bank, 19320 Mateny Hill Road, Germantown.
Supporters can enjoy wine and hors d'oeuvres, a gallery exhibit and a sale of paintings and prints by equine artist Francine d'Antuono. The night includes a silent auction and holiday craft shop with beautiful handcrafted items made from wool culled at the farm.
All funds raised by the nonprofit will go to house and feed the animals.
For more information, call Anne Schroeder at 301-349-0802 or e-mail farmeranne@stargazingfarm.org.
Donate and play
Donate to Walter Reed's Wounded Warrior Program during the one-year anniversary of Romp n' Roll in Germantown from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday. The Romp n' Roll is at 12851 Wisteria Drive.
Owner Noreen Rehman-Brown is asking for $5 donation for the program, which helps wounded troops.
At the anniversary celebration, there will be activities for children ages 3 months to 6 years old, such as gym, art and music. There will also be free cotton candy, popcorn and other treats.
For more information, call 301-528-7655 or e-mail Germantown@romproll.com.
Reuse and recycle decorations
Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County launched its second annual Holiday Shoppe this month, offering an opportunity to reuse and recycle holiday decorations.
"The community has really responded," said Nicole Kunard, ReStore sales manager assistant in a statement announcing the Holiday Shoppe, where customers who bring in donations for the Shoppe receive 10 percent off purchases at the ReStore.
The nonprofit retail outlet opened last year and specializes in the resale of new and gently used furniture, appliances and building materials. All materials are donated by retail businesses, suppliers and residents and resold to the public at 50 to 75 percent below retail prices.
Kunard said that the Holiday Shoppe helped build returns for the ReStore by 65 percent in November 2008, and by 18 percent in December 2008.
"Many people don't know what to do with their overflow of holiday decorations," Kunard said. "The Holiday Shoppe has been able to provide...customers with a place to recycle their decorations, as well as a way to purchases new greatly discounted items, all while giving to a good cause."
Donations are accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 6 p.m. on Thursdays at the ReStore, 9100 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg. Donations are tax-deductible and proceeds support the county Habitat for Humanity. For details, call 301-947-3304 or visit www.ReStoreMoCo.org.
Child safety seminar
Brian Mower of BMI Karate is hosting a free Child Safety Seminar from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
This seminar will teach children about stranger awareness and how to avoid the lures used to entice children in a way that won't scare them but empower them to not be a victim.
The seminar is recommended for families with children ages 5-12. Call 301-972-0200 to reserve a space. BMI Karate is located at 12627-A Wisteria Drive, in the Germantown Square Shopping Center at the intersection of Great Seneca Hwy and Wisteria Drive.
Shop for crafts, help the hungry
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival and Manna Food Center of Gaithersburg are partnering to help raise money and food donations to help feed the hungry in Montgomery County. Residents may bring nonperishable food items to a Manna booth near the festival's food court or buy special discounted tickets with a Manna rate online, said Kim Damion, director of development.
"Manna has a list of foods Manna needs on our Web site, but really it's all the good you have stuck in your pantry: Pasta, cereal, peanut butter, tuna fish, macaroni and cheese, rice beans, all those kind of things," Damion said.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Buy a "Friends of Manna" ticket at www.sugarloafcrafts.com/manna/ and receive a $2 discount and Sugarloaf will donate $2 to Manna. Tickets are $8.
An added bonus: Donate $5 or more at the Manna Food Center booth at the festival and Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will give you a complimentary ticket to the Sugarloaf Craft Spring Show. Volunteers are needed to staff this event. Contact Manna's Volunteer Coordinator at 301-424-1130 or volunteer@mannafood.org.
Music and dinner
Aqui Brazilian Coffee,which recently closed in Germantown, continues its popular concerts with dinner events for the holidays.
Check out Brazilian Chorinho and Bossa Nova with vocals, guitar, percussion and harmonica at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Woodlands Room of St. Rose of Lima Church, 1701 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg.
Tickets are $38 and include choice of salmon, roasted beef with red wine sauce and pasta with side dishes. Beverages and wines available.
For more information call Carminha Simmons at 301-540-3395 or e-mail events@aquibraziliancoffee.com.
Two poets, a pianist and a painter
Bernie Jankowski of Poolesville and poet Anne Sheldon of Silver Spring will read from Jankowski's new book of poetry, "The Shamokin Monologues" 6-8 p.m. Nov. 28 at Quill & Brush, 1137 Sugarloaf Mountain Road, Dickerson.
Jazz pianist Bruce Bears of New England's Duke Robillard Band will accompany the reading. Work by abstract artist Calvin Edward Ramsburg of Frederick will be on display, including drawings featured throughout "The Shamokin Monologues."
RSVPs are appreciated. Contact Kathy Jankowski at 301-349-0747 or kjankowski@xecu.net. For directions, visit www.qbbooks.com.
A twinkle in the park
Gaithersburg's Winter Lights Festival is back for its 14th season, transforming Seneca Creek Start Park into a Winter Wonderland for all ages.
Giant holiday displays designed with thousands of lights line a 3.5 mile drive through the park. More than 380 illuminated displays and 60 animated vignettes will "light up the night," said city spokeswoman Britta Monaco. Theme areas include Winter Woods, Victorian Village, the North Pole and more.
Get a sneak preview from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for $14 per car. Or get out your walking shoes for a one-mile stroll through Teddy Bear Land from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30. Bring a blanket and enjoy the scenery on a 45-minute open air trolley ride.
The Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival runs nightly Dec. 4 through Jan. 2 at the park, 11950 Clopper Road. It is closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Proceeds benefit charities. For more information, call 301-258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.
Send items to Melissa A. Chadwick via e-mail at mchadwick@gazette.net, fax at 301-670-7183 or mail to The Germantown-Boyds-Poolesville Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.