There's help for families this holiday season

From staff reports

Families who need assistance in buying gifts for their children this holiday season can apply at several area locations.

Applicants must be the child's legal guardian and bring a photo ID, proof of income and a state Department of Social Services family print-out — or Social Security cards for themselves and their children and a birth certificate for each child.

The weekly gross income requirements to be eligible for assistance are: family of two, $420.55; family of three, $528.63; family of four, $636.48; family of five, $744.50

These locations are accepting applications on the following dates:

ParentSmart Family Resource Center, 410 E. Black Street, Rock Hill: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through Nov. 20. Spanish translators will be present. Details: 803-980-2079.

YMCA, 402 Charlotte Ave. Rock Hill, 9:30 a.m. to noon. Dec. 4, 5 and 12.

Parenting Partnerships, 37 Pinckney St., York. 9 a.m. to noon. Friday and Nov. 13. Details: 803-684-1504.

Clover Area Assistance Center, 1130 S.C. 55 E., Clover. 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays. Available only to families in the Clover school district. Details: 803-222-4837.

Red Cross bloodmobiles

are planned this week

The American Red Cross Upper Palmetto Bloodmobile is scheduled for the following times and locations:

2:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Unity Presbyterian Church, 303 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill.

2:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at St. John's United Methodist Church, 130 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill.

AARP will offer

driver safety course

An AARP drivers safety program will be offered for ages 50 and older from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Cox's Harley Davidson, 1178 Galleria Blvd., Rock Hill.

Participants must attend both days to receive a certificate which might reduce their insurance rate on their collision and liability.

The cost is of the class $12 for AARP members and $14 for non members; AARP membership is not required. Drivers who take this class have 15 percent fewer accident.

Details or to register, call Gene R. Esarove at 803-547-4553.

Local fundraisers include

yard sale, breakfast

These local fundraisers are planned:

The Yorkville Artists' Guild will present its 2009 art auction and dinner at 6 p.m. Friday at the Magnolia Room, 4017 Laurel Creek Drive, Rock Hill. The event will be catered by Outback Steakhouse. Tickets are available at the door and the cost is $20 per person or $35 per couple and includes the auction, dinner, drinks and a raffle ticket. A drawing of the tickets, available for a $1 donation each, will be held for framed originals by guild members Joe Zdenek, Larry Blackwell and Jack Bolin. For details or tickets, call Bolin at 803-417-0146, visit www.yorkvilleartistsguild.com or e-mail yorkvilleartistsguild@yahoo.com.

York Lodge 385 A.F.M. will sponsor the fourth annual A Mission of Mercy concert featuring Brian Free and Assurance and The Dove Brothers at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Sullivan Middle School auditorium in Rock Hill. This is a Southern gospel music event and all proceeds will benefit Hospice &Community Care. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Discount prices are available for groups of 15 or more people. For details, call Lee Brock at 803-230-1050 or visit www.missionofmercy.net.

Ebenezer Avenue Elementary School fifth-grade students and teachers are holding a yard sale to raise money for their field trip to Washington, D.C. This fundraising event will be 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday in the school gym. The school is at 242 Ebenezer Ave. in Rock Hill, one block from Oakland Avenue, near Winthrop University.

The Fort Mill Veterans of Foreign Wars will be distributing buddy poppies for Veterans Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Food Lion, Bi-Lo, Bloom and The Peach Stand locations. The Fort Mill Junior ROTC will be assisting in the distribution. All proceeds will benefit the relief fund used for service members, veterans and their families. For details, call 803-547-5480.