Around Town (12/15/15)
Toys for Tots
The U.S. Marine Corps, with help from the American Legion Riders Chapter No. 83, is collecting new and unwrapped toys to help local children. Donors who bring a toy will receive a free meal Tuesday between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. The meal of a hamburger, potato salad and baked beans also may be purchased for $6. American Legion Building, 939 W. Main St. Call Linda Perry at 209-769-8499 for more information.
AARP Merced’s Monthly Meeting
The AARP Merced monthly meeting will be Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Merced Senior Community Center, 755 West 15th St. The Fire Department will talk about their home fire alarm program. After the meeting, lunch will be served for $5 and desserts will be provided by members. The meeting is open to the public.
Planada’s Senior Christmas Program
Planada will host its 4th annual Senior Christmas Program from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Food and entertainment will be available at the Planada Community Hall, 9167 Stanford Avenue. Doors will open at 4 p.m. For more information, call Fabi Cervantes at 209-261-6282.
Atwater Christmas Party
The Atwater Community Christmas Party will take place Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Bloss Home, 1020 Cedar Ave. The event, open to the public, will include a tour of the Bloss Home, a mixer with the Atwater Chamber of Commerce and a visit from Santa. People are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy in support of Kops For Kids and the Marines’ Toys for Tots.
Classes on Mental Illness
Family-to-Family Education weekly classes will be offered in Merced beginning Thursday, Jan. 7, at 480 E. 13th Street, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The National Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI’s Family-To-Family Education Program is a 12-week course for family members of individuals with severe brain disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, clinical depression and PTSD. Instruction and course materials are free to class participants. The course discusses the clinical treatment of these illnesses and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively. Call 209-381-6844, e-mail namimerced@aol.com, or check namimerced.org, for more information.
Become An Advocate For Children
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Merced County will begin a new volunteer advocate training class Jan. 20. An orientation is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 29. CASA is a nonprofit organization that trains volunteers to provide support and advocacy for the abused and neglected children in the Merced County Foster Care System. For more information, call 209-722-227.
If you would like to have an event announced in Around Town, send information to aroundtown@mercedsunstar.com at least 10 days before the event. Items run according to space available.
This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Around Town (12/15/15)."