Don’t forget that Saturday, Dec. 14, is the annual Holly Fair organized by the Johnston Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO). The fair, which will run from 9 am to 4 pm, will feature more than 40 vendors and is the perfect stop for Christmas shopping. It is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year and helps the group grant scholarships to two graduating seniors every year.
The Hope Historical Society’s Annual Christmas Meeting will be held on Dec. 14 at the Howland Barn, 35 Ryefield Road, Hope, at 2 p.m. Includes a Christmas game with prizes, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” followed by carols, and a visit from Santa. Gifts for all attendees. Unique gifts celebrating the history of the Hope area will be available for purchase.
The Photographic Society of RI is hosting a holiday party Dec.17 at 6 p.m. It will be held at Lakewood Baptist Church, 255 Atlantic Ave., Warwick. Potluck dinner and bring at least one non-perishable food item (if you don’t want to shop you can bring a monetary donation and Lincoln will do the shopping for you) for our 34th Annual Food Collection to benefit West Bay Marketplace.
Secure storage of weapons is now the law in Rhode Island. A Free Gun Lock and Securing Weapons Safely information is available at the Reference Desk at the Central Library, 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd., Cranston. Stop by for a free gun lock and literature on how to securely store weapons. Doing so will save lives and make our communities safer. Residents from all RI communities are welcome. This event is not endorsed by or affiliated with the Cranston Public Library.
Operation Stand Down Rhode Island needs your help. Their food pantry needs a major restocking. Like many people, OSDRI’s clients have been faced with some real obstacles these past couple of years. With your help, they pledge to always be there to give a hand up for veterans and their families in need. Items can be dropped off Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at OSDRI’s main office, 1010 Hartford Ave., Johnston. If you have any questions or would like more information, call the OSDRI office at 401-383-4730.
The Johnston High School Class of 1971 established The Soul of 1971 Scholarship at The Rhode Island Foundation. The current balance is $27, 035.92. The class has already awarded three scholarships to JHS seniors. The Class of ‘71 is the first class in the history of the Johnston School System to establish a scholarship fund which will last forever. For additional information, contact Harold J. Hemberger Fund Chairman at hembergerharold@gmail.com All funds on deposit are managed by The Rhode Island Foundation.
The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-RI) offers free support groups for families and friends of loved ones who are struggling with their mental health. The groups are led by trained facilitators who also have lived experience as family members themselves. The group meetings last about 1.5 hours, and everyone who participates in the meeting gets a chance to share. The other members of the group try to offer help and resources, when appropriate, based on their own experiences. More information and full schedule can be found at namirhodeisland.org. or call 401-331-3060. No pre-registration for these monthly groups is necessary.
First Thursday at 6 p.m. IN PERSON ONLY at the Rochambeau Library in the Community Room, Rochambeau Library, 708 Hope Street, Providence (NEW-starts Aug.)
Second Tues. at 5 p.m. IN PERSON ONLY at the Middletown Public Library in the Community Room. Middletown Library, 700 West Main Road, Middletown.
Third Tues. at 6:30 p.m. MEETS VIA ZOOM ONLY Please call 401-331-3060 or email info@namirhodeisland.org for the Zoom link
Fourth Wed. at 6 p.m. IN PERSON ONLY at the Hope Valley Grange, #71116 Main Street, Hope Valley.
Volunteer with NAMI-RI
The RI chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-RI) is currently seeking volunteers to facilitate our family programs in 2024. Free training is required and available for interested persons who have a loved one struggling with mental health issues. Together with our grassroots volunteers, we work every day to provide help and hope to millions of Americans. Volunteers are essential to the work that we do at NAMI Rhode Island, and we are always seeking enthusiastic people to help us achieve our mission. For more information about our family programs and volunteer training, email beth@namirhodeisland.org, call the NAMI-RI office 401-331-3060 or visit our website at namirhodeisland.org.
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