The Salvation Army is collecting turkeys for needy families through Dec. 19. Frozen turkeys may be taken to 300 Fort Collier Road. Donors will receive a $5 gift card from Sheetz.

Sheetz stores also will have collection boxes for non-perishable food items.

Info: (540) 667-4777.

AARP Tax-Aide is seeking volunteers to assist taxpayers with their 2008 income tax returns.

Volunteers are needed to provide tax preparation services or to serve as client service facilitators/greeters at our Harrisonburg location.

The tax season runs from Feb. 1 to April 15, 2009. Participants wishing to be "certified" will be offered the basic AARP/IRS training Dec. 2-5, 2008 and Jan. 5-9, 2009.

Info: (540) 363-0171 or (540) 885-4209.

-- From a press release

The American Red Cross, Shenandoah County Emergency Services and Social Services Dept. is forming the Shenandoah County Disaster Recovery Task Force. The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 29 at the county government center.

Interested persons should plan to attend and further information is available by calling 459-2913.

The Shenandoah County Ruritan Empty Stocking is seeking donations to buy gifts for hundreds of children in Shenandoah County, from infants to age 12. The lists are provided by the Shenandoah County Social Services Department.

Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 411, Strasburg, VA 22657. Further information is available by calling 465-3452 or 856-3421.

Horizon Goodwill Industries will accept gently used clothing and household items on Oct. 25 and Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shenandoah Shopping Center in Woodstock.

Further information is available by calling (800)435-2480 or on the web, www.horizongoodwill.org.

The Woodstock Enhancement Committee will hold a dedication ceremony for the CourtSquare Streetscape at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17. Food will be served at 5:30 p.m.
The Instigators will provide music for a street dance at 7 p.m.

Also featured will be walking tours of historic downtown, The Wickham House,Woodstock Museum, and the courtroom will be open.

Info: (540) 459-3621.

(From a press release) Life Care Center in New Market is participating in Operation Christmas Child, which is sponsored by Franklin Graham and Samaritan's Purse.

They are asking the community to drop off shoeboxes filled small toys, hard candy, school supplies and personal hygiene items.

The boxes, which are sent to children in need, are due Nov. 5.

Info: (540) 740-8041.

(From a press release) The Strasburg Volunteer Rescue Squad is holding their 10th Annual Camp Rescue for kids on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Strasburg Moose Lodge.

Strasburg Moose Lodge #403 has co-sponsored this event for the past nine years, providing their property, food and beverages to the children.

Camp Rescue began as a training program for children and has grown from 15 children to over 30 children accompanied by their parents. The program is designed to teach children about the rescue squad, fire and police departments, air medical transports, bomb disposal units, public safety communications center mobile command units, drug awareness activities, and search and rescue.

Participants over the last 10 years have included but not limited to the Strasburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, Strasburg Fire Department, Middletown Volunteer Fire Department, Toms Brook Volunteer Fire and EMS Department, Strasburg Police Department, Frederick County Sheriff's Office, Warren County Sheriff's Office, Shenandoah County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, Department of Homeland Security, Shenandoah County Emergency Operations Center, Air Care Transport Services, Pegasus Air Transport Services.

The Lord Fairfax EMS Council recently awarded the Strasburg Volunteer Rescue Squad with the 2008 Regional Award for Outstanding Achievement in EMS - Outstanding Contribution to EMS for Children. The Rescue Squad is proud of this award for our volunteer member's efforts with CampRescue as well as other activities for the youth of our community.

More info on Camp Rescue: Contact Patty Painter, Camp Rescue coordin/> . ator, at (540) 465-8631 or visit www.svrs25.com

The Chester Gap Volunteer Fire Company will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25. Included in the day's activities: talks on safety and fire prevention, a K-9 demonstration by U.S. Customs, exhibits, door prizes and free food. The station is located at 42 Waterfall Road in Chester Gap. Info: (540) 635-5482

(From a press release) The Future Business Leaders of America Regional Conference will host 27 schools at the Sportsplex from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 8.

Nationally recognized juggler, motivational speaker and former FBLA member David DiMuzio of Nashville will be the guest speaker.

An estimated 500 students and teachers will be in attendance. The Sportsplex has donated the facility and DiMuzio is donating his time.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Project ASK, the association of kids with cancer in Virginia.

More info: www.srfbla.org".