News briefs: Lake Wylie piano students give gifts

Piano students give gifts

Piano students of Joanne Marie’s School of Piano continued the tradition of donating holiday gifts to the DSS center in Rock Hill. This year’s focus was Christmas gifts for children in York County.

Instructor is Joanne M. Barnaba.

Winning $100K ticket sold in Lake Wylie

Unknowingly, a Clover man gave his mom $100,000, according to a release issued Thursday from the South Carolina Education Lottery.

It happened when he kept all but one of the lottery tickets he bought at the 7-Eleven Store on the Charlotte Highway in Lake Wylie. That one ticket he handed to his mom.

While he was scratching through his tickets and throwing them in the trash, his mom was closely studying hers.

“I’ve never won anything in my life,” she told lottery officials.

She screamed when she realized she won $100,000 from the Queen of Hearts ticket. Her son did, too, for different reasons.

For selling the claimed ticket, the 7-Eleven Store received a commission of $1,000.

York County hires public information officer

York County Government has hired Brooke Betit as the new public information officer. Betit, who recently left the U.S. Air Force as a public affairs officer, assumed the new position Nov. 30.

Her duties include media requests, FOIA requests and highlighting aspects of York County.

“I believe in a transparent government and providing information that helps citizens make informed decisions,” she said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the people of York.”

Betit comes from Ohio, where she completed a degree in journalism at Ohio University.

For more information, call 803-684-8599.

Donations sought for regional mission, including Carolinas

The Shoe Box Ministry of Kentucky Mission is accepting items for all ages through Dec. 21.

Boxes could include toys, hygiene items, school supplies, baseball hats, T-shirts, socks, candy, gloves and hats.

Boxes should specify for adult male, adult female, child boy and/or child girl (ages 3-teen), infant boy and/or girl (age infant to 3).

Donations may be dropped off at Lake Wylie Christian Assembly or Tractor Supply in York.

Giveaways will be held in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee Dec. 17-20, and in the Carolinas including Dec. 21 in Gastonia, Dec. 22 in Chester, and Dec. 23 in York and Clover.

To find out more, including times and locations, call 803-389-4409.

Salvation Army needs volunteers

Volunteers are needed through Dec. 17 to sort toys and pack bags for children being served through The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree in Rock Hill.

To sign up go to signupgenius.com/go/30e0d44a4a92da6ff2-thesalvation.

The Salvation Army is at 119 S. Charlotte Ave.

For more information, call 803-448-3133.

Dine Dec. 17 to help AAL

Animal Adoption League will hold a fundraiser 4-9 p.m. Dec. 17 at Bob Evans, 520 John Ross Parkway.

AAL provides veterinary care and temporary-to-permanent housing for homeless and rescued animals; to provide the best adoptive situation and outlet for the permanent placement of these animals. Visit mynextpet.com for more information.

Papa Elf’s sales help charities

Papa Elf’s Christmas Trees lot is open at The Mulch Yard, 5946 Charlotte Highway.

A portion of the proceeds go to Merge Ministries and Neighbor to Neighbor programs.

They also offer a program called Buy a Tree, Give a Tree asking donors to purchase trees for families in the community. Trainer said they have been asked to help families in Clover School District, McAdenville Elementary School in McAdenville, N.C., and Hope 4 Gaston in Gastonia.

Hours are 4-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.

Trees start at $35 and are Fraser firs sized 4 to 12 feet. Wreaths, garland, crafts, baked goods and hot chocolate also will be for sale.

For more information, call 678-787-6003 or email Mergeministries@gmail.com.

Libraries collecting food for fines

York County libraries will collect Food for Fines through Dec. 31 to encourage the return of overdue library materials while giving back to the community.

Library users may pay off fines for overdue materials with nonperishable food and personal hygiene items. For each donated item, $1 will be credited to outstanding fines, but will not cover the cost of lost or damaged materials.

All types of nonperishable food items, toiletries and disposable diapers will be collected. Items will be donated to York County area food banks in the community in which they are given to help replenish supplies depleted by the high demand of the holidays. Library patrons are encouraged to participate even if they have no outstanding library fines.

York County libraries are in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Clover, Lake Wylie and York. Donations will also be accepted on the Bookmobile. For more information, visit yclibrary.org.

Give blood get entered for Panthers tickets

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will hold a drawing for two Carolina Panthers Club Seat tickets and a parking pass for the Jan. 3 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

All donors who donate blood or platelets at one of CBCC’s blood centers or mobile blood drives through Dec. 30 will be entered into the ticket drawing. Schedule an appointment at one of CBCC’s centers or blood drives by calling 704-972-4700 or visiting cbcc.us.

Also, Community Blood Center of the Carolinas is holding its 11th annual Puppies for Patients program. Donors who give blood this month may sign a gift tag to be attached to a stuffed toy puppy, and delivered by CBCC to children in area hospitals and care facilities during the holidays.

The following York County blood drives are scheduled:

▪ 12:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Regal Manchester Stadium 14, 1935 Cinema Drive, Rock Hill. Free ticket voucher for donors.

▪ 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 19, Lake Ridge Community, 1040 Angelica Lane, Tega Cay.

▪ 12:30-3:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Strikers Family Sportscenter, 124 N. Anderson Road, Rock Hill.

▪ 1-4 p.m. Dec. 22, Cox’s Harley Davidson, 1178 Galleria Blvd., Rock Hill.

▪ 1-4 p.m. Dec. 22, Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, 465 S Herlong Ave., Rock Hill.

Call 704-972-4700 or go to cbcc.us to make an appointment at any location.

Library posts holiday closings

All York County libraries will be closed Dec. 24-27 for Christmas. The libraries will close at 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and closed Jan. 1.

For information about library programs and services, visit yclibrary.org.

Warming centers open in Rock Hill

The United Way of York County, Bethel United Methodist Church and The Salvation Army will set up Winter Warming Centers for the homeless. Last year, the centers served more than 200 men, women and children at two locations.

Locations and times available are:

▪ Women and Children’s Warming Center: The Salvation Army, 119 Charlotte Ave., Rock Hill. The center will be open each night at 6 p.m. through March 20.

▪ Men’s Warming Center: Bethel United Methodist Church, 1232 Curtis St., Rock Hill. The center will be open each night at 6 p.m. through March 13.

Volunteers are needed to serve nightly meals. Donations of specific items will be needed. For more information, visit UnitedWayofYC.org or call 803-324-5141.

Support agency funding available

The United Way of York County is accepting requests for New Agency Program funding for year 2016-2017.

UWYC provides financial support to organizations addressing health care, financial stability or education. Organizations must qualify as eligible providers as a first step in the funding process. Becoming an eligible provider does not guarantee a subsequent funding award. Eligibility applications are due by noon Jan. 15.

Agencies must meet United Way of York County criteria: have nonprofit status, serve residents of York County, registered with the S.C. Secretary of State Office, provide agency DUNS number, meet financial accounting standards, practice nondiscrimination.

If interested in applying, call 803-324-2735 or email tpeterson@unitedwayofyc.org.

Volunteers needed for free tax service

AARP will offer free tax preparation in 2016 at the Fort Mill Library in Baxter Village and volunteers preparers are needed.

Those interested in helping with tax return preparation or in helping clients in other ways can visit AARP.org/taxvolunteer to sign up.

Study guides will be provided to help volunteers become certified. There will be an organizational meeting in mid-December and training will take place the first week in January.

This is an all-volunteer program and tax preparations will begin Feb. 2 and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday until April 14.

Make-A-Wish volunteers needed

Make-A-Wish South Carolina holds volunteer interest webinars at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month.

Registration in advance is required. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Call 864-250-0702 for details.

Veterans group meets in Lake Wylie

The Point Man International Ministries group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at The Journey church.

Point Man is a veteran-to-veteran ministry with a primary service to offer spiritual healing from PTSD. Point Man also is involved in group meetings, hospital visits, conferences, supplying speakers for churches and veteran groups, welcome home projects and community support.

The organization, which includes more than 200 local outposts, reaches spiritually and emotionally wounded veterans.

The local group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Email BudStrope@Point-Man-Ministries.org.

Cat rescuer seeks support

Carol Butler of Lake Wylie has set up a Go Fund Me account to help with her 16-year rescue efforts of cats.

To find out more about her efforts and and how to help with the feline medical bills, visit gofundme.com/CarolKingButler.

Clover gallery seeks artists

The town of Clover is accepting submissions for Gallery 120, 120 Bethel St.

Artists should email an artist bio and three hi-res images of work to gallery120@cloversc.org, and include Monthly Artist Feature Submission in subject line.

Gallery 120 opened in January. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Call 803-222-9493 or visit cloversc.org.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 10:57 AM with the headline "News briefs: Lake Wylie piano students give gifts."