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The 3rd annual Appalachian Women's Fund Holiday Luncheon for Members and Friends was held in Boone last Tuesday to celebrate the accomplishments of the organization and to collect gifts that will be distributed to women at OASIS, Watauga Avery Mitchell Yancey Community Action, and Hospitality House. This year, the Appalachian Women's Fund distributed a total of $55,500 to programs to help women and girls in the Appalachian Mountain area. Programs ranged from combating homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, hunger and poverty to providing gap tuition at ASU and meeting healthcare needs through the Community Care Clinic. The gifts attendees brought to the luncheon will be opened on Christmas morning "by tired moms, grandmothers and girls who put all their time and energy into making Christmas happen for their families.

Christmas is a time of year that typically brings family gatherings, retail blitzes and special memories. However, at-risk children and families served by Rainbow Center - Children & Family Services often depict a different image of the Christmas season to include family disputes, no presents and the overwhelming pressure to make everything "okay" until after the holiday. Rainbow Center is caring for approximately 62 children this holiday season through Residential Care group homes and Bridges Foster Care homes. Sponsorships are especially needed to provide gifts for them. Rainbow Center asks that willing sponsors contact April Nichols or Koren Huskins at 336-667-3333. The agency has a wish list for each child and requests that each sponsor spend approximately $50 to $100 on a girl or boy served by the nonprofit. Rainbow Center - Children & Family Services provides a full spectrum of human services to include group homes and foster care to at-risk children and families in Ashe, Watauga, Wilkes and other counties throughout Northwestern North Carolina. For more information, call 336-667-3333.

The Salvation Army's annual Red Kettle Campaign began on Black Friday, and bells will ring through Christmas Eve, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every Monday to Saturday. Ringers, bells and kettles greet the public at the following locations: Belk, Kmart, Walmart, Lowe's Foods in Boone, Lowe's Foods at Tynecastle and Ingles Food Store in Newland. The public can also donate to the kettle campaign during the Boone Christmas Parade, on Saturday, December 12, and on Main Street in Blowing Rock the Saturday before Christmas. The money benefits residents of Avery and Watauga counties, going toward the purchase of food cards and helping people pay fuel and utility bills and rent and mortgage payments. Ninety to 100 people participate as ringers in the campaign each year, and volunteers are still needed at all locations.

The Watauga County Relay for Life raised around $9,000 more this year than last. According to Relay Co-Chair Sharon Trivette, over $260,000 was raised this year for the American Cancer Society.  This total amount includes over $25,700 raised by the Appalachian State University Relay for Life, which was held in April. Trivette said Watauga County's Relay for Life moved up from the number six spot nationally to number two, with around 5,000 relays held across the nation. A total of 74 teams participated in the 2009 Watauga Relay and 50 of those teams will receive All-Star Awards from the American Cancer Society.

Residents interested in getting involved with Relay for Life can visit www.RelayForLife.org or call Sharon Trivette at (828) 297-1691.

People are used to seeing a university campus rally around a sports team and strive to achieve academic goals, but this year Appalachian State decided to unite to provide holiday gifts for children around the world. Students, faculty and staff at Appalachian State University have started a movement to support the efforts of Samaritans Purse's Operation Christmas Child - the Boone-based relief operation that collects and distributes Christmas gifts to millions of disadvantaged children around the world. Last Tuesday night's ASU men's basketball game kicked off the four days of collections at ASU. Volunteers were also on hand at the final regular season home football game against Western Carolina on Saturday. 

To learn more about Operation Christmas Child and how to pack a shoe box, go to www.samaritanspurse.org/OCC or call 262-1980.

The Hunger and Health Coalition is proud to offer a variety of food assistance programs to those in need this holiday season. Their mission is to relieve Poverty and hunger in a compassionate manner for families and individuals who are experiencing economic hardship and food shortages. 

Although the Food of the month is used to encourage groups to support the Food Pantry, The Hunger and Health Coalition will take ANY FOOD DONATION at ANYTIME to help feed the hungry of our community.

Students in the Skills USA program at Watauga High School are holding a unique fundraiser on Saturday in which residents can get a haircut while having their car winterized. According to organizers, car services include changing the oil and oil filter, testing the antifreeze, topping off all fluids, and checking the tires.  Having students get your vehicle ready for winter will cost $25. The beauty side of the fundraiser includes haircuts, waxing, hair coloring, highlighting, facials, manicures, pedicures, and more.

The Skills USA Car/Hair Clinic will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Watauga High.

Officials with the Western Youth Network are warning residents of a possible scam in which individuals have been reportedly going door-to-door asking for donations for Western Youth Network. Officials from the organization said they never seek donations by going door-to-door. Residents should not give these people cash or checks because they have not been authorized to seek donations for Western Youth Network.  

Last year, Harley Hendrix, a senior at West Wilkes High School suffered a severe spinal injury at the Southern National AAU Wrestling Tournament. His family physician, Dr. Tim Van Noy, told his family that their small four-door car was likely to re-injury him and that they needed a van to transport him. Well, Dr. Van Noy led a successful effort to raise funds for Harley Hendrix. On Tuesday, a van was presented to him and his family at Window World's Corporate Office in Wilkesboro.