Nesquehoning

Community serviceIn Nesquehoning, the Girl Scout troops will host a community Christmas tree lighting and caroling at Meed's UMC Church, 126 W. Catawissa St. on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m.Everyone is invited to attend and join in the caroling. Cookies and hot chocolate will be enjoyed following the singing.Donations of new hats or gloves to place on the tree as a would be appreciated. Items will be taken to the Panther Valley Elementary School.Children's DayThe annual Children's Day at McDonald's, sponsored by the restaurant and Meed's UMC Church, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 28, starting at 11 a.m. at McDonald's. Children will receive a free lunch and other special treats.Summit HillChristmas partyAmerican Legion Post 316, Summit Hill, will hold its annual Christmas party for all children from the community on Saturday, Dec. 18, from 1-3 p.m. at the post home.The festivities will begin at 1 o'clock when Santa Claus will arrive. He will greet the children and give each of them a pre-Christmas gift. The public is invited to attend. Food and refreshments will be served.Lions ClubMembers of the Summit Hill Lions Club will hold their annual Christmas party on Sunday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. at Macaluso's at the Lantern, Nesquehoning.The guest for the evening will be Bill Moyer, the new president of St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale. The club will make its annual donation to the "St. Luke's, Committed to Caring Campaign."LansfordParish ministryA new endeavor of parish ministry, HOPE (Helping Older Parishioners Earnestly), is being organized at St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, Lansford. Volunteers are needed to work in pairs to assist parishioners in need. For more information, contact Marilyn Barrett, (570) 645-0370.DVDs for servicemenLansford AMVETS Post 83 is still participating in Task Force DVD, a program in which DVDs are accepted and shipped to servicemen and women serving overseas.The post has a bin located on its premises where donors can offer DVDs and funds to help pay costs associated with shipping the movies.Michael Frey, post commander, said the AMVETS started collecting the DVDs for the project in October as part of a nationwide effort of AMVETS posts in hopes of bringing a little comfort to the men and women who are serving this country.DVDs can be either new or gently used and can be any movie. They can be dropped off at the post at 201 W. Ridge St., Lansford, Monday through Friday starting at noon and Saturdays and Sundays starting at 10 a.m.Hotel BethlehemThe children of Our Lady of the Angels Academy, Lansford, will present their annual Christman program tonight at 6:30 in St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, Lansford.The program is titled "Hotel Bethlehem."St. John's churchA "Blue" Christmas service for those with heavy hearts will be held on Dec. 21. For many Christmas time is bittersweet. While everyone else seems to be happy, there are those that are grieving. St. John's is offering a quiet, meditative, special worship service that makes time for remembering, sharing one's hurting places with God, and preparing one's heart for the coming of Christ.Join in at St. John's, 1 E. Abbott St., Lansford, on Tuesday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m., for a time of special music, scripture, silent reflection, healing prayer, and Holy Communion.Food Pantry has a new homeThe Lansford Food Pantry will be held on Monday, Dec. 20 from 9:30-11 a.m. at the new location of Trinity Lutheran Church 104 East Abbott St., Lansford.The food pantry is held on the third Monday of each month and serves the residents of Lansford that meet the income guidelines and show proof of residence. It is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers of the community.Food items are purchased by state and federal funding and from donations from the local businesses and residents, which have been decreasing over the past few years. Anyone wishing to make a monetary or food donation, or who would like more information about the program can contact Betty Pearson at (570) 645-3416 or Beth Dailey at (570) 657-7234.The food pantry is in desperate need of your help, especially with the holidays and winter upon us. Organizers would like to be able to serve as many families as possible, but cannot do it without more help from the community.Any businesses or groups interested in becoming involved in any way should contact the representatives listed above. All donations stay in the community, so take comfort in knowing you are helping your friends, neighbors and children of Lansford.