Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012

Women have chance to find volunteer groups

The Raleigh Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is inviting local women to come to its free Women’s Community Service Expo to learn about local nonprofit groups and volunteering options in the Triangle. The expo is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Raleigh Stake building located at 5060 Six Forks Road.

At the expo, women will have a chance to talk with representatives from more than 25 local nonprofit groups serving Wake County, including WakeMed, Interact, the Wake County animal shelter and The Green Chair. The Raleigh Stake organized the event because so many different charitable organizations exist in the area, and women often find it challenging to find the right fit for their interests and schedule, said Janine Perry, the event organizer..

“We want to encourage the sisters in our community to volunteer and help out the people who need it the most,” Perry said. “We only invited organizations that are reputable, provide a safe environment and help our community the most.”

Several hands-on service projects also will be available during the event, including making Valentine’s Day cards for those serving in the military, writing letters to new moms whose babies are in the NICU and working on quilts for hospice patients.

“We really believe that we are God’s hands on this earth, and we need to serve and lift others. That’s really what we are trying to do with this event,” Perry said.

For more information, visit openhandsandhearts.org.

Miles for Mission 5K Run: Grace Community Church in Raleigh is holding a Miles for Mission 5K run/walk to benefit the Raleigh Rescue Mission and other local ministries. The race starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Grace Community Church, 6561 Meridian Drive, Raleigh. Cost for the 5K is $30 for competitive runners and $25 for recreational participants. Kids younger than 14 pay $10. Online registration ends Thursday, Feb. 9, and walk-in registrations will be accepted the day of the race starting at 7 a.m.

Free child care will be available for couples who want to run or walk together. After the race, participants can feast on homemade soup and bread. Registration for the kid’s dash led by the Chick-Fil-A cow at 10 a.m. is $5. For registration information, go to the Miles for Mission Facebook page. For more information, email smok213@aol.com or call 919-862-8521.

Crossroads Fellowship Youth Super Bowl Party: Teens who want to watch the big game with their friends but don’t want to leave their couches can head to Crossroads Fellowship in Raleigh. The church is inviting teens in ninth through 12th grades to bring their own couches or chairs to the upcoming Super Bowl Party. Chairs will also be available for those who don’t bring their own seats. The party starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, at the church’s student center. The cost is $5 for dinner and snacks. During halftime, the teens will compete in challenges and games. For more information, call 919-981-0222 or visit www.crossroads.org.

Garments of Praise Clothing Exchange: Donate gently used women and children’s clothes to the Garments of Praise clothing swap sponsored by Faith Harvest Church in Wake Forest and receive new-to-you clothing in exchange. The community is invited to drop off clothing from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb 1-3 at the church. Clothing donations for the event also will be accepted on the day of the swap. A ticket will be given for each item donated – up to 15 items – and tickets can then be exchanged for clothing at the event. Extra tickets can be earned by volunteering during the event.

The Garments of Praise clothing exchange will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the church, 4737 Willeva Drive in Wake Forest, near the intersection of Highway 98 and Creedmoor Road. The church is also asking the community to donate new socks and underwear for local families in need. For more information or to volunteer, email suzanneb@faith-harvest.org or call 919-848-4340.

Director of Vatican Observatory Foundation reschedules: The visit by George Coyne, S.J., director emeritus and president of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, to St. Raphael Catholic Church that was originally scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4, has been postponed. It has been rescheduled for 9:45 a.m. Saturday, March 3. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 919-865-5729.