Society Digest

Historical society plans to collect Toys for Tots

MERCER — The Mercer County Historical Society is a drop-off point this season for the annual Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign.

A box will be in the lobby at 119 S. Pitt St. until Dec. 15 for new, unwrapped toys. The Marines will distribute the toys to the needy in the county.

To complement this project, the society will take some of its toys out of storage for display.

The society will also participate in the Mercer Merchants’ “Christmas in Victorian Mercer Open House” on Dec. 4 and 5 and will have a used book sale in the museum. Refreshments and door prizes will be featured, as well as guided tours of the museum. There is no admission charge. Hours of the open house are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5.

Honor someone special

FARRELL, Pa. — UPMC Horizon Shenango Auxiliary will host its 20th “Remembrance Tree” lighting ceremony at 2 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Shenango Valley campus. Entertainment will be by the second-grade pupils at Artman Elementary School in Hermitage.

For a minimum donation of $5 a personalized ornament will be placed on the tree in memory of, or in honor of, someone special. A card acknowledging the gift will be sent to that person or to the family of the one being remembered.

Checks payable to the auxiliary, along with the donor’s name, address, phone number, and name of the honored or remembered person, should be sent to Shirley Miller, Hospitality Shop, 2200 Memorial Drive, Farrell, PA 16121.

Festival of Wreaths set for Shepherd of the Valley

BOARDMAN — Shepherd of the Valley Boardman will host the Festival of Wreaths on Dec. 8. This year, the primary beneficiary will be the Big Reach Center of Hope.

There are two ways to participate: Donate a decorated wreath for the silent auction, or make a donation to underwrite materials for wreaths that the residents, families, staff and volunteers of SOV Boardman will create.

Bidding on the wreaths opens Dec. 5 and runs through the evening of Dec. 8.

For information, contact Rich Limongi, SOV Boardman associate director, at rlimongi@shepherdofthevalley.com or at (330) 726-9061, ext. 2400.

Youngsters who grieve

CANFIELD — Children from 6 to 14 years of age who are finding it hard to cope with the holidays following the loss of a loved one are invited to a program from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road.

Those attending will learn some practical ideas regarding what they feel and what holidays mean to them when a loved one has died.

They will also create an ornament in memory of their loved one, share stories with others in their age group, decorate cookies to take home and share, and sing carols.

Reservations are to be made by Dec. 1 with Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, (330) 792-2353.

Hair-a-thon planned

CANFIELD — Mahoning County Career and Technical Center Cosmetology program will host the 11th annual Hair-a-thon Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the school.

The senior cosmetology students will offer hair, skin and nail services including perms, relaxers, highlights, lowlights and coloring. Services start at $6. Money raised will help defray costs for students to take their state board licensing test in May.

All services are performed by senior cosmetology students under the supervision of their instructor, Linda Tomko. To make an appointment, please call (330) 729-4000, ext. 1309.

Pacentrano Club elects new officers

YOUNGSTOWN — The Women’s Auxiliary of the Pacentrano Club met on Nov. 8 at the Club rooms at 2629 Craiger Ave. A dinner was served and a meeting followed. These are the officers who were elected: Josephine Nacarato, president; Arlene DeChellis, vice president; Angela Ramunno, corresponding secretary; Virginia DiNello, financial secretary, Elena Nigro, treasurer; Lisa McGiffin, social chairwoman; Anna DeChellis, sergeant at arms; Josie Homsey, head trustee; Floreann D’Amato, trustee; Florence Cappuccio, trustee; and Lucia Lovell, parliamentarian.

Camp Fitch plans events

ERIE, Pa. — YMCA’s Camp Fitch is celebrating the opening of its new Trinity Chapel and the Christmas season during an afternoon and evening of fun and entertainment from 3-7 p.m. Dec. 13.

Reservations are $25 per person or $75 per family. Proceeds will go to the Camp Fitch Scholarship Fund. For more information and to make reservations, call (814) 922-3219 or toll free to (877) 863-4824.

Camp Fitch is located Just west of Erie. For more details visit www.campfitchymca.org.