Around Town (01/19/16)
Rivera Elementary book drive
The Merced High School Associated Student Body will be having a book drive for the new Rivera Elementary School. Children’s book donations will be accepted beginning Tuesday, and the books will be delivered to Rivera Elementary in March. New or gently used children’s book donations (reading levels K-6) are needed.
CASA volunteeers
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Merced County will be training a new group of volunteers beginning Wednesday. Volunteers advocate for the best interest of children who, through no fault of their own, have been abused and neglected. Make a difference in the life of a child, become a CASA volunteer. For more information, call 209-722-2272.
Save Our Youth essay contest
Save Our Youth, a Merced-based nonprofit, is taking entries for its essay-writing contest for children 7 to 11 years old. The essays must be submitted by Feb. 24, and tutoring sessions for essay writing are set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday; Feb. 3; and Feb. 17 at the Save Our Youth Leadership Academy, 1903 G St. The top six essays will be awarded prizes from $20 to $75. For more information, call Dolores Slaton at 209-489-7516 or email saveouryouth.dslaton@aol.com.
Knights of Columbus basketball contest
The Atwater Knights of Columbus will sponsor its annual Basketball Free Throw Contest from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 30 at the Winton Middle School gym, 6300 Cypress Ave. Boys and girls ages 9 to 14 can compete for trophies. A lunch will be served to all contestants. Participants are required to produce proof of age and parental consent. For more information, call Jose or Sal Walle at 209-819-0180 or 209-349-1557.
Julie-N-Friends Gospel Concert
Julie Eichelberger will present her fifth Sunday gospel concert series “Julie-N-Friends” at 6 p.m. Jan. 31. The talent lineup for the concert includes the Lighthouse Boys of Bakersfield, the California Melody Boys of Tulare, Bridge of Grace of Merced and Kala Underwood of Madera. The concert will be at the Christian Life Center, 650 E. Olive Ave. in Merced, and is free. For more information, call Julie at 559-304-1102.
Wayward Ponies’ Home Open House
Because of El Niño conditions, the seventh annual fundraiser for the Wayward Ponies’ Home will be held indoors from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at McKay Hall in Catheys Valley Park, 2820 E. Highway 140, Catheys Valley. Admission and refreshments are free. There will be a caravan to the sanctuary at 2 p.m. Donations of new merchandise or gift certificates are needed for the potluck raffle. For more information, go to www.waywardponieshome.org. If you can help, or want a card with more info, email help@waywardponieshome.org or call 209-742-4451. Donations are tax-deductible.
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 January 18, 2016 at 4:26 PM with the headline "Around Town (01/19/16)."