Pay it forward

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It's like a yard sale with no price haggling. In fact, there's no charge for the gently used donations of clothing, toys, household items and small appliances.

It is the Pay It Forward Event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at Village Chapel Presbyterian Church in Kanawha City.

Anyone who needs the donated items may come and pick them up. In exchange, the recipient is asked to do a kindness for someone else.

At the event, there will be self-addressed postcards available so that those who take items will let the sponsors know how they "paid it forward."

"It's a our way of sharing with the community in these tough economic times and hoping that we can start a movement for caring and sharing with others in our community," noted a news release from Village Chapel, 3818 Venable Ave. S.E.

Valley Gardens/United Way

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Valley Gardens is teaming up with the United Way of Charleston for a Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at 1109 Piedmont Road.

There will be refreshments and music, and United Way representatives will provide information about the agency's member organizations.

Valley Garden staff will create custom-made wreaths from boxwood, Fraser fir, white pine and other greenery. They will have fresh-cut trees, poinsettias and other holiday items.

The proceeds from the sale of four signature pieces by designer James Dingess (two wreaths, a poinsettia and a mixed arrangement) will go to the United Way as well as a portion of other sales.

Covenant House service

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The community of churches in Charleston will gather at 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Baptist Temple, 209 Morris St., for the Community Thanksgiving Service.

The director of Covenant House will speak about the direction of their ministry. Two offerings will be accepted that night -- one for money to go to Covenant House and another for needed items such as winter gloves and hats, canned goods, and laundry detergent.

Free Thanksgiving dinner

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Southeast Church of the Nazarene teen department is holding its annual free community Thanksgiving dinner event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 26 at the church, 5102 MacCorkle Ave. S.E. in Kanawha City.

Limited delivery is available for orders placed in advance. To place an order or to get more information, call 304-925-3721.

Pay it forward

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It's like a yard sale with no price haggling. In fact, there's no charge for the gently used donations of clothing, toys, household items and small appliances.

It is the Pay It Forward Event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21 at Village Chapel Presbyterian Church in Kanawha City.

Anyone who needs the donated items may come and pick them up. In exchange, the recipient is asked to do a kindness for someone else.

At the event, there will be self-addressed postcards available so that those who take items will let the sponsors know how they "paid it forward."

"It's a our way of sharing with the community in these tough economic times and hoping that we can start a movement for caring and sharing with others in our community," noted a news release from Village Chapel, 3818 Venable Ave. S.E.

Valley Gardens/United Way

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Valley Gardens is teaming up with the United Way of Charleston for a Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at 1109 Piedmont Road.

There will be refreshments and music, and United Way representatives will provide information about the agency's member organizations.

Valley Garden staff will create custom-made wreaths from boxwood, Fraser fir, white pine and other greenery. They will have fresh-cut trees, poinsettias and other holiday items.

The proceeds from the sale of four signature pieces by designer James Dingess (two wreaths, a poinsettia and a mixed arrangement) will go to the United Way as well as a portion of other sales.

Covenant House service

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The community of churches in Charleston will gather at 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Baptist Temple, 209 Morris St., for the Community Thanksgiving Service.

The director of Covenant House will speak about the direction of their ministry. Two offerings will be accepted that night -- one for money to go to Covenant House and another for needed items such as winter gloves and hats, canned goods, and laundry detergent.

Free Thanksgiving dinner

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Southeast Church of the Nazarene teen department is holding its annual free community Thanksgiving dinner event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 26 at the church, 5102 MacCorkle Ave. S.E. in Kanawha City.

Limited delivery is available for orders placed in advance. To place an order or to get more information, call 304-925-3721.

Clay Center rates high

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Clay Center is the only nonprofit organization in West Virginia to receive a four-star rating for sound fiscal management by Charity Navigator, a national charity evaluator. It is the second consecutive year for the highest rating.

"Receiving Charity Navigator's highest rating makes a profound statement about the priority the Center places on accomplishing worthwhile, mission-centered activities with donor gifts," said Clay Center President and CEO Judy Wellington. "Being recognized for sound fiscal management says to donors that they can give to the Center with the utmost confidence."

According to Charity Navigator, only 20 percent of the charities it rates have received at least two consecutive four-star evaluations, indicating that the Clay Center consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way and outperforms other charities in the U.S.

Charity Navigator works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of more than 5,400 of America's largest charities.

Caregivers Web conference

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Home Instead Senior Care offices serving West Virginia have scheduled a free Web conference for family caregivers at 7 p.m. Nov. 19. To register for the Web conference go to www.caregiverstress.com.

The conference is titled "The Best Care for Your Parents: Senior Care Solutions and Potential Pitfalls," and will be co-hosted by Suzanne Mintz, CEO of the nonprofit National Family Caregivers Association, and Paul Hogan, co-founder and CEO of Home Instead Senior Care.

This session is designed to help family caregivers plan for their loved ones' care.

Music for Hospice

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Volunteer musicians are needed to provide suitable quiet music for patients at Hospice House. Singers and instrumentalists from who would like to schedule time to sing or play should e-mail drmusic...@suddenlink.net.

Homelessness awareness

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Individuals whose lives have been touched by homelessness will speak at "One Night Without a Home," starting at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 at Magic Island. The evening's program features speakers, a candlelight vigil and live music before guests settle in to spend the night outdoors.

AIDS Day nominations

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Members of the Charleston World AIDS Day steering committee are seeking nominations for people or organizations who have shown dedication to responding to the AIDS pandemic for Red Ribbon award. Submit nominations by e-mail at m...@livingaidsmemorialgarden.org or to the Living AIDS Memorial Garden, P.O. Box 11704, Charleston, WV 25339 or by calling 304-346-0246. Deadline for nominations is noon Nov. 20.

Canstruction teams

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It's time to form teams for Canstruction, the annual project that challenges architects, engineers and contractors to build sculptures out of canned goods that are later donated to Covenant House Food Pantry. The deadline to register a team for the March 2 event is Dec. 14. Registration forms are available at www.wvcovenanthouse.org. Call 304-344-8053 for more information.

The deadline for Help Out is noon Tuesday for the following Sunday. If you would like a response from the public, please provide the name and telephone number of a person who can be listed in the newspaper. Send information via e-mail to ea...@wvgazette.com, by fax to 304-348-1233, or by regular mail to Help Out, The Charleston Gazette, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301.