Join the Warwick Firefighters Association for an afternoon of fun at their Valentine’s Quarter Auction Brunch on Feb. 6. Brunch includes scrambled eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes, fruit salad, toast, macaroni and meatballs, garden salad, coffee, juice and Italian bread and butter; other drinks can be purchased from the bar. Guests can play to win prizes from Athena’s Kelly’s Closet, Vinyl Crafts, 31 Gifts, Pampered Chef, Custom Tumblers, Custom Doll Clothes and more. This is a 50/50 raffle fundraiser meant to benefit the  Cuddles of Hope Foundation - a nonprofit dedicated to comforting children by providing them with a stuffed animal to cuddle with during uncomfortable or frightening situations. The brunch wil also have a special raffle for all guests Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and both brunch and the auction commence at 1 a.m. Tickets are $25 per guest and can be purchased by calling Crissy at 401-374-8175 or emailing ckreations27@gmail.com. The event will take place at 750 Warwick Ave. in Warwick.

Virtual Town Hall with Sen. Whitehouse

Join U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for a virtual town hall on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. Pre-registration is required, and participants are invited to submit questions in advance for Senator Whitehouse. You can register online at: https://us02web.zoom.us /webinar/register/WN_MX4dDtQ3QSaPOWCTRc11Tw

Consider donating blood

The Rhode Island Blood Center is in need of blood. Individuals wishing to donate must book an appointment at the donation center; walk-ins are only accepted if safe distancing allows at the person’s time of arrival. Nearby areas to donate include The Shops at Greenwood, which is located at 615 Greenwich Ave., in Warwick. This center can be reached at 401-453- 8383. To schedule an appointment online, visit www.ribc.org.

Wiley Center coat drive

This winter, the George Wiley Center is collecting donations for a coat drive to help keep people warm this season amidst the housing crisis. We are collecting new and gently used clean coats, as well as boots, shoes, blankets, mittens, hats, and hand warmers. With the threat of eviction and utility shutoffs, and the financial burden of the pandemic, many Rhode Islanders are in need of basic winter necessities to keep warm. Together, we can work towards solutions to the housing crisis. You can drop off donations to our office at 32 East Avenue in Pawtucket, on Wednesday afternoons and evenings every week As always, you are invited to our weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 6:30, where you can take action for housing and utility justice, apply for rental and utility relief, meet members of your community and enjoy pizza.

Game dinner is back this Feb. 27

After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the annual Sportsman Game Dinner benefiting the Boys& Girls Clubs of Warwick is back. The popular event features five delicious courses prepared by the renowned Ralph’s Catering. Selections include venison chili, antipasti with bruschetta, game soup, pasta with venison meatballs & sausage, wild boar & peas, venison marsala, game hen, roasted potatoes and more. There is also a cash bar. In addition to great local food, the event offers a variety of raffles, including a 50/50 raffle. The luncheon takes place on Sunday, Feb. 27 at the Smithfield Elks, 326 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., but you need a ticket – so don’t wait – tickets sell fast. Tickets are $40 and can purchased: online at www.wbgclubs.org, by visiting or sending a check to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick administrative offices at 42 Frederick St Warwick, RI 02888 or by calling 401-467-4385.

Afternoon and evening Chair Yoga at the library

Give yoga a try while sitting in a chair with an afternoon Chair Yoga class at Warwick Public Library on Tuesdays Feb. 1, 8 & 15 at 3 p.m. Evening Chair Yoga classes at Warwick Public Library will be held on the same schedule starting at 7 p.m. Improve your flexibility, build strength, and find peace of mind. Join yoga instructor Linda Morse to learn yoga and breathing while seated. No yoga experience is necessary. Wear comfortable clothing. Linda Morse is certified through the Kripalu Center in Massachusetts. For more information, call (401) 739-5440, x9758. The Library is located at 600 Sandy Lane. This event is free and open to all.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island

BBBSRI has opened a new Donation Drop-Off Center at 993 Oaklawn Ave., in Cranston. BBBSRI’s main headquarters has been located on Pontiac Avenue for 12 years. With its headquarters moved from Providence this November, BBBSRI had to find a new location for its Cranston Drop Off Center.

Walk and Talk at Rocky Point

Come join the “Rocky Point Pacers” for a walk around Rocky Point every Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 a.m., weather permitting. They meet at the gate on Rocky Point Ave. Get some sunshine and burn off some holiday pounds.

New Hope has a new show

The New Hope Art Gallery is pleased to announce its Fall Show is now open. You can visit the gallery in person Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays, at the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center, located at 1070 Cranston St. in Cranston. If you are unable to attend in person, you can view the artwork virtually at youtu.be/AIF7A-Sonio. The New Hope Art Gallery located in the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center at 107 Cranston St. in Cranston. Regular Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m.Mto 4:30 p.m. except holidays.

Men’s Wednesday Senior Softball League

The Senior Softball League is looking for more players to join its Wednesday morning games There are six teams that play doubleheaders on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. The season starts on April 27.  All games are at City Park in Warwick on Asylum Rd. Registration is $25. Checks can be made out to Wed. Sr. Softball League. The season ends on Oct. 19, yet many members continue playing until mid-November. This is not a beginner’ league; it is competitive but a lot of fun. You must be 57 years of age to participate, shirts are provided and a pizza party is also included. Applications can be obtained by emailing wednesdaySSB@gmail.com.

Meat & lobster raffle every Saturday

West Bay Anglers will hold a meat and lobster raffle every Saturday starting Nov. 6 through March 2022 at the Warwick Firemen’s Association 750 Warwick Ave., Warwick, starting at 1 p.m. Prizes include money, lobster, meats and appliances. One hundred percent of the profits will go to the to the imPOSSIBLE Dream, Veteran Angler Charters and Dare To Dream Ranch.

Be Kind RI

Be Kind RI is a new program that connects volunteers to their neighbors across RI through text alerts to coordinate food deliveries from grocery stores and food pantries. To sign up go to www.BeKindRI.org. Volunteers must be 18 or older and undergo our background check. Be Kind RI is open to those in RI experiencing COVID-19 risk factors including seniors 65+, anyone with underlying health conditions, those in quarantine or isolation, anyone experiencing a lack of childcare, and those who would otherwise experience difficulty in obtaining food. For assistance signing up, call 877-958-8785.

RI Pre-K lottery applications

The 2022-23 RI Pre-K Lottery Email Notification Sign-Up form is now available. Please note that this is not the RI Pre-K Lottery application. This form will sign you up to stay informed of the lottery opening in late spring. You will only need to complete and submit this form once. You can access the RI Pre-K Lottery Email Notification Sign-Up in three locations: 1. By visiting http://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdn.../viewform to go directly to the Google Form; 2. By visiting the RIDE homepage and clicking the round “Pre-K Lottery Email Notification Sign Up” badge on the right toolbar and 3. By visiting the RI Pre-K web page on the RIDE website and clicking the “Lottery Application” menu to reveal the link to the form. To be eligible for Pre-K, your child must be four by Sept. 1.

Arts Scholarships now open to register

Do you know a student aged 11 – 14 who loves to create and to perform? Encourage them to apply to our ARTS Scholarships 2022 program! Applications and guidelines are now available at www.ppacri.org/artsscholarships. The ARTS Scholarships 2022 program, sponsored by the Textron Charitable Trust and the PPAC Annual Fund with support from WPRI 12 and Ocean State Charities Trust, offers young artists a opportunity to participate in local summer arts education program that will broaden their experience in their chosen area of study Qualified students must be aged 11 – 14 by June 1 of this year and reside in and attend school in Rhode Island.

Meals on Wheels in need of volunteers

Meals on Wheels of RI is in immediate need of volunteers for its Home-Delivered Meal Program in Warwick. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The program helps homebound seniors remain healthy, safe and happy at home. For more information and a volunteer application, visit www.rimeals.org.

ESL classes at WPL

The Warwick Public Library and the RI Family Literacy Initiative host English as a Second Language (ESL) classes starting on Sept. 20. Practice your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in small groups. Classes are free and meet twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. For more information, call (401) 455-8041.

Citizenship prep classes at WPL

Prepare for the U.S. Naturalization Interview with Citizen Preparation classes at the Warwick Public Library. Practice citizenship vocabulary, learn the necessary civics content, and work on interview skills using the N-400 application form. Classes meet on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting Sept. 25. Sign up at the library. For more information, call (401) 455-8041. These free classes are offered by the RI Family Literary Initiative.

Get a Job Thursdays

We Make RI, an organization that provides free manufacturing training, is hosting a series of job fairs every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at their offices at 200 First Ave. in Cranston. We Make RI offer job seekers a chance to meet with employers, get career counseling, resume help and more. Some employers include Swissline Precision, Admiral Packaging, KB Surfaces, Warwick Hanger and Hitachi Cable. For more information about the event or other training opportunities, visit www.wemakeri.com/get-ajob- thursday or contact Mike at (401) 232-0077 x109.

 Share Your Hope: Volunteer at NAMI-RI

The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness provides free family support groups and educational programs. These resources exist because friends and family members like you are passionate about sharing what they’ve learned and determined to pay it forward. The value of your voice, shared experience, and leadership is truly priceless to those who are struggling. Please consider reaching out and helping tocreate healthy, supportive communities across Rhode Island where good mental health for all can be our shared reality. NAMI Family-to-Family is a free eight-session educational program for families, significant others, and friends of people living with mental illness. It is a designated evidenced-based program. NAMI-trained family members lead the course with presentations, discussions, and interactive exercises. If you would like to learn more about how to qualify to teach NAMI Family- to-Family, please visit the Rhode Island chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.namirhodeisland.org, call 401-331-3060 or email namirhodeisland.org.

Prepare RI High School Internships Program

Calling all RI public high school juniors: The 2022 PrepareRI High school Internship Program is accepting applications to participate in on-site/in-person, paid summer experiential learning internships with local employers across the state. This program will help you earn, learn and connect with employers across Rhode Island. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Visit https://skillsforri.com/prepareri for more information.