Metro digest || Annual Christmas dinner at St. Pat’s

Christmas dinner

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Community Food Center Inc. and Gleaners Food Bank, 94 Pyatt St., will have their 18th annual Christmas dinner at St. Patrick Church Hall, 1420 Oak Hill Ave., from noon to 1 p.m. Christmas Day. They intend to provide a complete, traditional holiday meal to at least 450 people. The organizations also will distribute toys for the children, flowers for the elderly, clothing, cookies, candy and fruit baskets for all.

The organizations are accepting all forms of donations, money, food, clothing and volunteer labor for the dinner and gift giveaway. Donations are tax deductible. Make checks payable to: Youngstown Community Food Center & Gleaners Food Bank, P.O. Box 3587, Boardman 44513.

Visitor from China

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A Chinese educator, Deng Zhongqing, will visit Girard Junior/Senior High School Monday through Wednesday as part of the China Exchange Initiative. Louise Mason, junior high school principal, will visit China next April.

The initiative allows 12 Chinese and 12 American educators to spend two weeks in each other’s country. Zhongqing spent last week at Ohio State University and visited the Ohio Department of Education.

Mason plans to take the Chinese visitor and an interpreter to a GHS basketball game and wrestling match, Rotary Club meeting and Mass at St. Rose Church.

Mason said Zhongqing wants to learn how American teachers teach creativity and problem-solving.

Santa in Hubbard

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Area children can visit Santa Claus from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12-18 at Santa’s Cottage in Tylee Park on West Liberty Street, near the uptown square. Tylee Park Restoration Committee and Hubbard Historical Society are sponsoring the free holiday event. Santa’s mailbox also is located in the park.

After the visit, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies by a bonfire while listening to carolers in the gazebo. Next Sunday, Hubbard Police Chief Martin Kanetsky and township Police Chief Todd Coonce will be among the carolers.

Businesses and organizations are needed to volunteer to sing carols in the gazebo. Contact the Tylee Park Restoration Committee at tyleepark@att.net or call 330-534-9533.

Annual gift-wrap

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The Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane, is preparing for its 14th annual gift-wrap fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 18-24 at Southern Park Mall in Boardman. Volunteers from the JCC and local high schools will wrap gifts for a donation. Boxes are available to buy.

Proceeds will benefit JCC scholarships. For information and to volunteer, contact Kaye Doran at 330-746-3251 ext. 153.