Today starts June, the official month of summer. This month we recognize Father's Day and one of my favorites, National Doughnut Day.
National Doughnut Day honors the Salvation Army "Lassies" of World War I. The original Salvation Army doughnut was first served in 1917 when lassies or Doughnut Dollies were sent to the front lines of Europe, taking homecooked foods and provided morale to boost the troops. Often, the doughnuts were cooked in oil inside the metal helmets.
National Doughnut Day will be celebrated on Friday. I'll meet you at Dunkin Donuts.
There will be a blood drive at the Zion Lutheran Church in Frackville Monday. Everyone who is in general good health and weighs at least 110 pounds is encouraged to give.
Saturday is the American Hiking Society's National Trails Day. Sweet Arrow Lake invites you to join "Porcupine Pat" to celebrate the day with a walk that highlights the transition from spring to summer. Participants are asked to meet in the Waterfall Road parking lot. The hike is suitable for all ages.
Still haven't hiked enough? Join John Domalakes June 8 at the Frackville Public Library for a Schuylkill On the Move visit to the site of the one-time largest steam engine in the world. The challenging three-mile trek walks on the Mahanoy Plane ruins and then down a steep but scenic slope to a tunnel.
Mark your calendars: Tamaqua will come alive for its annual Summerfest to be held June 15 in historical downtown. It will feature food, entertainment, crafts and more.
Life Choice Hospice is seeking volunteers in Schuylkill County to participate in their engaging volunteer program.
Kind individuals are needed to provide visits to people with lifelimiting illness to make friendly visits, provide caregiver respite, to read or share a special talent like music or crafts or offer complementary therapies such as Reiki, massage and pet therapy.
Visits are made to private home or nursing home settings. As little as one hour per week is helpful.
Applicants learn about hospice services, gain an understanding of the special needs of veterans and people with memory issues.
Free training, free drug screen and TB test are required.
If you'd to make an impact in an extraordinary way, call Stacy at 1-800-557-7570 or email sperlacki@lifechoicehospice.com.
The third annual Holistic and Metaphysical Expo will be held at Stonehedge Gardens, Tamaqua, at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 28.
Use the above contact info for those specific volunteer opportunities and find other opportunities at www.schuylkill.us/cvia. Community Volunteers in Action can be reached at 570 628-1426 or jjohnston@co,.schuylkill.pa.us. Check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/communityvolunteersinaction.
Health care volunteers
Times: Flexible, as needed and available.
Responsibility: Fundraising, marketing and clerical support.
Skills: Ability to perform assigned tasks.
Location: Pottsville.
Contact: Judy Schweich, 570-628-5515.