Request for gifts

Request for gifts

YOUNGSTOWN

Beatitude House is requesting Christmas gifts for homeless children who live at its facilities in Youngstown and Warren that the children can pick out for their mothers, wrap and put under the Christmas tree.

Items can be something practical such as gloves or socks, or something not-so-practical, such as a bath set or perfume. Gift bags and “to” and “from” tags are also appreciated. Beatitude House will not accept candles.

People who want to donate are asked to bring unwrapped gifts by Dec. 13 to Beatitude House’s administrative offices, 238 Tod Lane on the campus of St. Edward Parish, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 330-744-3147 with questions or visit www.beatitudehouse.com.

‘Be a Santa to a Senior’

YOUNGSTOWN/BOARDMAN

Home Instead Senior Care office of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties has joined other nonprofit organizations and retailers to sponsor the “Be a Santa to a Senior,” program that collects, wraps and delivers gifts to lonely and needy seniors in the Youngstown/Boardman area.

The program runs through Dec. 6. Other important dates are: Dec. 9, community gift wrapping party from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Boardman, and Dec. 13-17, delivery of gifts.

Christmas trees at the Trumbull County Commissioners Office, Wal-Mart Vision Centers in Boardman and Warren, Optiview Vision Centers in Austintown and Niles, Super Kmart in Niles, and Curves in Austintown, Boardman and Canfield, are decorated with ornaments with the names of seniors and their gift requests. People can chose an ornament, buy items listed and return them unwrapped to the site along with the ornament. Volunteers collect, wrap and deliver the gifts.

For more information, call 330-729-1233 or visit www.beasantatoasenior.com.

‘Santa Paws’ begins

Shepherd of the Valley’s Operation “Santa Paws,” which collects items for the dogs, cats, and other animals cared for by Animal Charity, has begun.

The general public is invited to participate by making donations by Dec. 20, and the SOV-Poland staff will deliver the donations to Animal Charity, 3722 South Ave., Youngstown, on Dec. 21.

Items can be dropped off at any SOV facility, which are Poland, 301 W. Western Reserve Road, Poland; Boardman, 7148 West Blvd., Boardman; Howland, 4100 North River Road, Howland; Niles, 1500 McKinley Ave., Niles, or the corporate offices, 5525 Silica Road in Austintown.

Suggested items include: pet food (wet or dry), cat and dog treats and toys; rabbit food; apples; veggies such as carrots, broccoli, celery, greens; unsalted peanuts; bird seed; rawhides; pig ears; dog and cat beds; fleece bedding and blankets; newspapers; litter; heating pads; trash bags and cleaning supplies; towels and sheets; paper towels, and plastic containers and totes with lids. Monetary donations are also accepted.

For more information, contact Paula Blakeman at SOV-Poland at 330-726-7110, ext. 231.

Surgery program

HERMITAGE, PA.

Dr. Maryann Payne, breast surgeon with the Magee Comprehensive Breast Center at UPMC Horizon, is offering “Breast Surgery Options” program Dec. 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Womancare Center of UPMC Horizon. 875 N. Hermitage Road.

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. To register, call 724-347-7700 or toll-free at 866-347-7700.

Hope grants

YOUNGSTOWN

Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley has donated a $1,000 grant each to Youngstown Hearing & Speech Center, Flying Horse Farms and Easter Seals of Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties. For information on grants or the Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley visit its website at www.hopemv.org.

Center reverified

YOUNGSTOWN

St. Elizabeth Health Center’s Level I Trauma Center was recently reverified as a Level I Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee, an ad hoc committee of the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma. A Level I Trauma Center provides the highest level of specialty expertise and meets strict national standards.

Hospital recognized

NEW CASTLE, PA.

The Pittsburgh office of VHA Inc., a national health-care alliance, recognized Jameson Hospital for excellence in patient care for demonstrating extraordinary levels of clinical performance by eliminating bloodstream infections for a 15-month period from April 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.

Christmas party

WARREN

St. Joseph Health Center’s volunteer department is offering a Christmas party of entertainment, games, dinner and door prizes for those 55 years and older at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the hospital’s second-floor classrooms. The cost is $4. For reservations, call 330-841-4375 or 330-841-4376 by Dec. 10.