n Mahanoy City: First Congregational Church will hold a sticky bun sale on April 12. The cost is $5.50 for plain and $6.50 with nuts. The deadline to order is April 4. For orders or more information, call 570-773-3845 or 570-668-2927.
n Orwigsburg: A program called Health Steps for Older Adults, sponsored by Diakon Prime Time health, is set for 1 to 3:30 p.m. April 1 at Seton Manor, 1000 Manor Drive. The effort is a fall prevention program designed by the University of California at Berkley for the state Department of Aging. It is geared toward all adults 50 and older. It will include a review of your home's safety traps and a fall risk assessment by a trained professional. The two-part course is free and all material, including a 65-page resource guide, are included. The second part will be on April 8. The registration deadline is Tuesday. For more information or to register, call 570-624-3017.
n Pottsville: Seven Schuylkill County restaurants will participate in a special dining event to raise money for Schuylkill Wellness Services, which provides prevention education and case management for HIV and HIV/STD screenings. The "Dine Out for a Good Cause" is scheduled for April 8 and each participating restaurant will donate 20 percent of the evening's food receipts to Schuylkill Wellness. Participating restaurants include Francesco's, Shenandoah, phone 570-462-3451; the Greystone, Pottsville, 570-628-4220; Vito's Coal Fired Pizza, Saint Clair, 570-429-1888; Roman Delight, Orwigsburg, 570-366-1914; The Brick House, Orwigsburg, 570-366-5220; the Oak Hill Inn, Orwigsburg, 570-366-3881; La Dolce Casa (DiMaggio's), Tamaqua, 570-668-3763. There will also be a Dine Out raffle with a grand prize of $1,000. Other prizes will include second, a Lowe's Gift Card with $250 value; third, three-day/two-night midweek stay for two at Cove Haven Resorts in the Poconos (two meals included); fourth, a round of golf and lunch for two at Mountain Valley Golf Course ($125 value). Raffles are $3 each or four for $10. For raffle tickets or more information, call 570-622-3980.
n Reading: Gabriella Lavia, 3, has been named the 2014 March of Dimes Ambassador Child for the Berks/Schuylkill Counties March of Dimes. Born 14 weeks early, Gabriella, daughter of Nikki and Dan Lavia, weighed just 17 ounces, suffered from chronic lung disease, thyroid complications, had eight blood transfusions and feeding intolerance, which put her on antibiotics for weeks, according to a March of Dimes press release. She spent her first 15 weeks fighting for her life in a newborn intensive care unit. Today, she is an active girl who loves to play outside, go to the park, read books and watch her favorite cartoons. As the ambassador, Gabby and her family will share their story and encourage people to participate in the March of Dimes' largest fundraiser, March for Babies. The money raised will support community programs that help mothers have healthy, full-term pregnancies and support research to find answers to the problems that threaten babies' lives, according to the release. The 2014 Berks/Schuylkill Counties March of Dimes March for Babies is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. May 18 at Penn State Berks campus. For more information, go online to marchforbabies.org or call 610-814-7000.
n Tamaqua: Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center Inc. is looking for volunteers to help with its special program of therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with special needs. The center, which offers special riding lessons on Monday and Wednesday evenings from May through October, is located 10 miles south of Tamaqua near Route 309. A required volunteer training session is set for 1 to 5 p.m. April 12 at the center. To become a volunteer or to get more information, call Janie Miller at 570-386-4280 or Elaine Smith at 570-386-5679.
n Tamaqua: An American Red Cross blood drive is set for 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Salvation Army Center gym, 105 W. Broad St. People 17 and older - 16 with parental permission - who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health are eligible to donate blood. People should have a Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive identification to donate blood.
n Valley View: A David A. pizza sale to benefit two injured coal miners - T.J. Kennedy and Justin Reninger - will be held on April 5. The pay-in-advance order deadline is March 31. Available pies include plain, $7; pepperoni, $8, and special, $10. The special includes bacon, ham, pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms and onions. To order, call the Valley View Gun Club at 570-682-3424, David A. Lucas at 570-682-9140 or Paula Morgan at 570-682-9861. Pickups will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Valley View Gun Club.