BENEFIT TO HELP ORGANIZATIONS: A benefit Chinese auction and dinner will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at Maplewood High School on state Route 88 in Mecca. The event will raise money toward medical costs for Matthew Berendt, 7, of Mecca, who had battled leukemia for more than two years and died recently. The event also will generate funds for Make-A-Wish, which helps grant wishes for ill children, and for the Cleveland Rainbow Children's Hospital Cancer Center.
Cost is $10 and includes the meal and an entry for a grand prize.
HOLIDAY EVENT HELPS HOSPITAL: The Kids Crew of Akron Children Hospital Mahoning Valley will host their fourth annual Holiday Hopes and Wishes at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman. A social and shopping begins at 10 a.m. Cost is $35 per person and advance reservations are required at 330-746-9122.
All proceeds benefit the Akron Children's Hospital Mahoning Valley Special Care Nursery and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
SALVATION ARMY HAS ANGEL TREE: The Salvation Army, 270 Franklin St. S.E., Warren, is working to help children and families in need at Christmas season through its Angel Tree program. More toys are needed to help an additional 200 children that need to be helped through the Angel Tree program.
Items that are needed are footballs, Barbie dolls, basketballs, board games, hair brush sets, arts and craft sets and sleds. To adopt a child, stop by The Salvation Army or call 330-392-1573 for more information.
PROFESSOR IS?GUEST SPEAKER: Lowell Satre, professor emeritus of history at Youngstown State University, will be the guest speaker at the Youngstown Chapter of International Torch Clubs dinner-discussion meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in Kilcawley Center.
His presentation is "Anti-Intellectualism: A Personal View." Besides examining his own experience, Satre says anti-intellectualism is a recurrent theme in American history.
Dinner for nonmembers is $18 by calling 330-757-4148, and for club information by calling 330-792-7351
POLAR EXPRESS AT LIBRARY: The McKinley Memorial Library in Niles will hold a Polar Express program at 11 a.m. Saturday. Activities will be based on the classic holiday book.
DISTRICT HOSTS MOVIE NIGHT: The Trumbull Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a free movie night at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Trumbull County Agriculture and Family Education Center, 520 W. Main Street, Cortland.
This month's feature is an animated movie about macaws. Parrot Hope Rescue will be introducing the movie with some of their own parrots.
Individuals who would like to donate items can bring perches, food dishes, bird toys and food and paper towels. For information, call Amy at 330-637-2056, Ext. 111, or reehera@embarqmail.com.