Around the Region (12/04/15)
MODESTO
What: Free car-seat inspections and replacements
When: Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Three Amigos Auto Center, 301 Mitchell Road
Info: Three Amigos and the California Highway Patrol are holding the event. CHP officers will inspect car seats to ensure they are installed and working properly and have not expired. Defective or expired car seats will be replaced at no cost. For more information, call Gladys at 209-523-5600.
What: Toy drive for Salvation Army
When and where: Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Walmart, 2225 Plaza Parkway; Saturday, 2 to 8 p.m., Walmart, 3848 McHenry Ave.
Info: American Medical Response has responded to the call by the Salvation Army for toy donations. On Friday, AMR volunteers will be in the front of the Walmart on Plaza Parkway asking customers to purchase a toy and donate it to the Salvation Army. They will do the same thing Saturday at the McHenry Walmart as part of this emergency toy drive for needy children. At each site, AMR is looking to “fill the truck” it will have on hand.
What: Children’s event at the McHenry Museum
When: Saturday, 9 a.m.
Where: McHenry Museum, 1402 14th St.
Info: Children will decorate a sugar cookie and make a Christmas ornament. Meet Central West Ballet dancers and MJC Pirate cheerleaders. Listen to Christmas flannel board stories. Sign language interpreting available.
What: Great Ham Race
When: Through Dec. 11
Where: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1813 Oakdale Road
Info: Each year, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Modesto provides emergency food to more than 30,000 individuals and more than $40,000 in emergency utility assistance. The food pantry, open from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday, is an outreach ministry of St. Joseph’s St. Vincent de Paul and is staffed by volunteers who love to help others. Each year, St. Joseph’s distributes special Christmas baskets, each consisting of a complete ham meal, in addition to toys for all children in the family. Last year, nearly 500 families were served, with plans for the same this year on Dec. 17. Bring in canned 5-pound hams to the parish office, or call for pickup. For more information, call 209-551-4973, ext. 207 or visit www.stjmod.com.
Send Region items to Region, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; call 209-578-2330; fax 209-578-2207; or email region@modbee.com.
YESTERYEARS
75 YEARS AGO: Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley was looking for children’s playthings, regardless of their condition, to be sold to parents in need for their children. Mrs. David Wellman, the director of the Modesto field office at 515 H. St., said the toys would be reconditioned by disabled staff members. The office was also able to help those individuals needing work or services through many of its social programs, and said the group had paid $10,000 in wages to the 15 men and women who were working on the toys.
This story was originally published December 3, 2015 at 11:53 AM with the headline "Around the Region (12/04/15)."