Local carnival helps West African people
An area nonprofit hopes to help people in West Africa by holding a carnival in Fredericksburg. Empowering the Poor will host a Thanksgiving-themed carnival Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event's proceeds will go toward building a health care center in Côte d'Ivoire.
The carnival will feature games, food, local bands and area vendors.
For details, visit empow eringthepoor.org.
Donate toys and get brake shoes, pads
An auto repair shop in Stafford County will give brake pads and brake shoes in exchange for donations to Toys For Tots. DOC Auto will offer the services in return for new, unwrapped toys for needy children.
DOC Auto is also offering other discounts to motorists who don't need brakes. Donations can be dropped off at the shop on Chatham Heights Road in Stafford County.
For details, call Dave O'Connell at 540/847-1225.
UMW club collecting to help Head Start
A University of Mary Washington club is collecting shoe boxes and gifts for area Head Start students.
Donations of empty shoe boxes, small gifts, hats, gloves, scarves, crayons and stuffed animals can be dropped off at the Office of Student Activities and Community Service in Seacobeck Hall.
Donors can also fill their shoe boxes with the items before dropping them off.
The office hopes to provide gifts for 700 area Head Start students and needs the donations by Dec. 1.
For details, call 540/654-1061 or e-mail
Email: ceggenbe@umw.edu.
--Amy Flowers Umble
Gas company gives to Rappahannock group
Friends of the Rappahannock received a $5,000 donation from Columbia Gas of Virginia.
"We are pleased to provide this contribution to help them continue efforts in restoring water quality of the river and keeping the river fishable and swimmable," said Columbia Gas President Carl Levander.
FOR uses such donations for its ongoing advocacy, stewardship and education programs.
Columbia Gas is one of nine energy distribution units of NiSource Inc.
-Rusty Dennen