Coats And Cookies
Oak Valley Hospital’s Family Support Network will be hosting its sixth annual Coats and Cookies gently used coat giveaway in early December. The organization is now accepting clean gently used coats and jackets of all sizes during regular business hours, Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last year, with the help from the community, Family Support Network was able to give out over 900 gently used coats to individuals in need of warmth. The 2018 Coats and Cookies event is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call Family Support Network at 209-847-5121.
Donate To Help Hungry
To help boost donations to local food banks during the holiday season, all Save Mart and FoodMaxx stores will once again hold the annual Holiday Give. Share. CARE! Drive, making it easier for shoppers to donate. At checkout, customers can tear off a coupon and hand it to the cashier. A coupon for $2 feeds one person breakfast; $3 feeds one person lunch; and $5 feeds one person dinner. The coupon shoppers choose will be added to their grocery bill, and the tax deductible contribution will be noted on their receipt. One hundred percent of all donations go to the local food bank assigned to each store. Locally, Save Mart stores in Oakdale and Riverbank are participating in the campaign. Donations at checkout are underway now and will end Friday, Dec. 28.
Support Small Businesses
Shoppers across the U.S. are getting ready to Shop Small on Small Business Saturday, celebrated this year on Nov. 24, and their local economic impact could be significant on California communities. According to the new Small Business Economic Impact Study from American Express, an average two-thirds ($0.67) of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local community. Local residents are encouraged to take some time on Saturday to stop in at small, locally owned shops and get started on the holiday shopping while supporting merchants in the community.
Shopping For Prizes
From now through Dec. 12 patrons will visit participating businesses as part of an Oakdale Chamber of Commerce initiative, where they will take a selfie and post it on social media using the hashtag #ShopCowboyCapital. When they post using that hashtag it enters them into drawing for a prize. This shop local program will bring people into the stores, as well as promote Fan Pages of participating businesses. Chamber officials said this is a great opportunity to market local businesses and bring potential clients into local stores. Members of the Chamber are invited to participate at no additional cost. Non-members are welcome to participate, with a cost of $100 each. The Chamber will provide each participating business with five photo props but you are welcome to use additional props if you chose; participating businesses will also provide prizes. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 847-2244 for more information or to sign up.
Give Back On Tuesday
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the more widely known retail holidays, Giving Tuesday is becoming pretty popular in its own right. Celebrated on the Tuesday following American Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday helps raise awareness that charity is an important component of the holiday season. This year, Giving Tuesday will be observed on Tuesday, Nov. 27. The global Giving Tuesday movement helped raise more than $300 million online across more than 150 countries in 2017 alone. This year, the Giving Tuesday organization is poised to top their numbers and continue to improve upon the more than 46,000 participating organizations involved in their charitable efforts. Learn more at www.givingtuesday.org.
Speechtrain Session
The local REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club gathers for regular meetings every Wednesday morning, 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., at Perko’s Cafe, Patterson and Oakdale roads, Riverbank. This is a fun way to learn the self-confidence and skills needed for public speaking. All are invited to come and check out the group. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Nov. 28. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
Dickens Faire
On Saturday, Dec. 1 enjoy the Dickens Faire, featuring a Farmer’s Market and Craft Boutique, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., part of special activities benefitting McHenry Mansion. Booths will be on 15th Street and McClatchy Square and the Mansion Gift Store will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours of the Mansion will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission. On Tuesday, Dec. 4 join in for a Christmas Tea, with spaces available at a 1:30 p.m. seating at the mansion, corner of 15th and I streets. Reservations are required and the cost is $30 per person. Call Janie at 209-522-1739 for information and to make reservations.
Weight Loss Support
All are invited to the weekly meetings of TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 1034 that gathers each Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar Ave., Oakdale. The group features help with weight loss in a supportive setting. Residents of Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon and beyond are welcome to attend. Call Audrey Oliver at 209-765-7838 for information. You can also visit www.tops.org.
