Pink Pumpkins Coins 4 Chemo will be holding its annual holiday fest food drive 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 22 at union hall of Teamsters Local 773, 3614 Lehigh St. There will be a basket raffle, crafters and vendors.

Organizers will also collect nonperishable, canned or plastic food items for the annual holiday patient support dinner at Lehigh Valley Hospital. All items collected will be distributed to cancer patients currently undergoing treatment.

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Thanksgiving is only a week away, and Christmas will be here soon. Consider donating to Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative or another local food pantry of your choice.

Budgets around holidays are often tight for many, and now with assistance programs in limbo, the need is even greater. If you have been blessed, I hope you can spread that cheer and be a blessing to another.

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Whitehall welcomes you to attend its annual tree-lighting ceremony, set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the municipal complex. Rumor has it there will be a special guest appearance!

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From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 7, Hokey Athletic Association will present a breakfast with Santa at the recreation center at West Catasauqua Playground, 2301 Pine St. There is a cost.

To get your tickets, email hokeyaapresident@yahoo.com.

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The Sports Factory will sponsor a Santa’s workshop event, set for 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 13 at the recreation center at Schadt Avenue Park, 1977 Schadt Ave. There will be crafts, cookies and cocoa with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The event is free for all children.

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Whitehall Historical Preservation Society will hold its last open house event of the year — 1-3 p.m. Dec. 14 — at Helfrich Springs Grist Mill and Peter Grim House, 501 and 506 Mickley Road.

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Join the Hokendauqua Eagles players and their families during the 7:05 p.m. Dec. 20 Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey game at 701 Hamilton St., Allentown. As this is a fundraiser for the organization, $5 of every ticket will go back to Hokendauqua Park and Playground Association.

Bring a new or gently used teddy bear to the game, and when the Phantoms score their first goal, toss the bears onto the ice. All bears will be donated to Valley Youth House.

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If you have news or events to share with the community, email me at skoch@tnonline.com by Nov. 28 to meet the deadline of the next column.

Happy Thanksgiving!