EVENT

If you pack a Gift-filled Shoebox, Operation Christmas Child will deliver it to a needy child.  Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse and has hand delivered over 61 million love-filled shoeboxes since 1993.  To get started, call Samaritan's Purse at:  *00) 809-3882 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ

9am-5pm

Featuring:  Over 230 Quality Hand Crafters, Over 100 NEW Vendors, Wider Aisles, Larger Booth Spaces, Larger Floor Spaces, & Better Shopping

#1 Rated Quality Craft Show in the Tri-State Area

Admission is FREE!!!  Parking FREE!!! Golf Cart Shuttle Available FREE!!! Shopping Bags given to first 10,000 shoppers

Accepting Donations of Non-Perishable Food Items for Trinity Lutheran Church Christmas Baskets for Local Needy Families &/OR a New Toy for the Underprivileged Children

A filled Longaberger Basket Raffle & Special Candle & Reed Diffuser Sale with all proceeds to benefit Hospice of Washington County

Volunteers Needed for our FREE Gift Wrapping Station - Please call Linda Williams:  (301) 582-1233

This is an excellent opportunity to experience the true meaning of giving at Christmas. Donating to a representative charity shows love for a family member or friend, and it also shows compassion to those less fortunate than us. With the increased demand on charitable organizations this year, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of this gift giving idea.

At this time, the representative charities are The Lunch Place, Waynesboro Area Human Services, Waynesboro Welfare Association, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Washington County, Cross (Christian Residential Opportunities and Social Services), Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, Heifer International and The Fisher House Foundation. All are considered a tax deductible organization.

Script Gift Cards will also be available for purchase for yourself, friends or the charity of your choice.

Teach your child the true meaning of Christmas. Make a $1.00 or $5.00 stocking stuffer donation to a charity. We say our parents and grandparents do not want Christmas presents because they have everything already. Donate in their names to the charity of their choice.

St. Andrew the Apostle church is located at the corner of East Main and North Broad Streets. Entrance to the school hall is from North Broad Street.

CITY OF HAGERSTOWN ADVISORY

TREE LIGHTING IN PUBLIC SQUARE AND HOLLYFEST 2008

The City of Hagerstown is proud to host Tree Lighting in Public Square on Monday, November 24, 2008 at 5 p.m. followed by the 19^th Annual Hollyfest at the Maryland Theatre at 7 p.m.  The 2008 Master of Ceremonies for both the Tree Lighting and Hollyfest will be Mr. Lou Scally.  Both events are free, public events and no tickets will be necessary this year for Hollyfest. 

            Beginning at 5 p.m., both the North Hagerstown High School and the South Hagerstown High School bands will perform in Public Square.  Girls, Inc. will serenade onlookers with Christmas carols and the South High Step Team will dazzle everyone with their dance routines.  Jingles and Jangles will be face painting as we wait for the arrival of Santa to Downtown Hagerstown.

This year the tree in Public Square is a 25 foot Blue Spruce donated by Ms. Donna Gossard.  The Most Valuable Players from the Hagerstown Gridiron Championship Classic (Hunter Philips from South Hagerstown High School and Demetrius Myers from North Hagerstown High School) will help Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II light the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. 

Immediately following the Tree Lighting in the Square, Hollyfest will begin at 7 p.m. at the Maryland Theatre.  Originating as a Christmas Parade many years ago, weather conditions and the Alsatia Mummers Parade, which occurs very near the Holiday season, brought the holiday festivities indoors to become what we now know as Hollyfest.  Traditionally, Hollyfest is an evening event featuring the talent of local students and children’s groups from our community.  This year, the City of Hagerstown is celebrating this magical evening’s 19^th year. 

Don’t miss an evening packed full of free family fun for everyone!  For more information please call 301.739.8577 ext. 183.

Tri-state holiday shoppers have a distinctive venue to get a great deal on unique items thanks to four local United Way chapters.

In an effort to diversify funding in these economically tumultuous times, the United Ways of the Eastern Panhandle (WV), Franklin County (PA), Frederick (MD) and Washington County (MD) are teaming up for the Tri-State Lives United Auction (www.unitedwayauctions.org). This online auction works much like eBay and can offer a great deal, while raising funds for each of the United Way campaigns.

In addition to overnight getaways, plane rides and children’s items, the auction will also feature items like a men’s Rolex watch courtesy of R. Bruce Carson Jeweler’s in Hagerstown and a spa and outdoor kitchen from Spa Warehouse in Hagerstown.

The auction is slated to start on Saturday, November 29, 2008 and go through Monday, December 8, 2008.

The auction web site will be available at www.unitedwayauctions.org or through local United Way web sites. 

Any questions should be directed to Addie Staebler at United Way of Washington County. She can be reached by phone at 301-739-8200 Ext. 12 or astaebler@unitedwaywashcounty.org.