Drop-In Center soliciting holiday gifts for homeless

Realizing that most holiday gift programs are geared toward toys and children, the Community Drop-In Center, 214 W. 10th St., is soliciting gifts for homeless adults.

“We’ve put together a wish list that we’ll e-mail to people who are interested,” said Tami Clark, the center’s director. To request a copy, would-be donors are asked to e-mail cdic@sbcglobal.net.

Items already on the list include socks, long underwear, sleeping bags, portable CD players, batteries and help paying a $14 fine at the Lawrence Public Library.

“Whatever people can get to us by Dec. 16, we’ll have wrapped and tagged in time for Christmas,” Clark said. “But if it’s after the 16th, that’s fine, too.”

Holiday Dinner needs 30 donated turkeys

The folks putting on this year’s Community Holiday Dinner need turkeys.

“In the past, a food service company has always donated the turkeys,” said Kent Ely, one of the meal’s organizers. “But this year, they’ve let us know they’re not in a position to do that. So we’re putting the word out — we figure we need 30 12-pound turkeys to feed about 600 people.”

Donors are encouraged to call Ely at First United Methodist Church, 841-7500.

“If they want to bring a turkey by the church, that’s fine. We’ll put it in the freezer,” Ely said. “But if they can’t, that’s fine too. I’ll figure out a way to come get it.”

The Community Holiday Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 25 at First United Methodist Church, 946 Vt.

Group sponsors fair for people with disabilities

People with disabilities can learn more about available services and service providers at a resource fair in February at Free State High School.

The Douglas/Jefferson County Transitional Council is sponsoring the fair. It is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at Free State, 4700 Overland Drive.

In addition, two concurrent workshops for parents and children are planned from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the high school.

Panelists at one workshop will focus on issues of concern for infants through adolescent children, while another panel will address topics of importance for teenagers to adults.

Child care will be provided at the event.

For more information, contact Linda Wildgen, transition coordinator at Lawrence High School, 832-5050.