GLASSES, HEARING AIDS | Whiting

Whiting Lions Club collects eyeglasses and hearing aids in the big yellow mailbox at 119th Street and Temple Court.

FYI: Call (219) 764-1308.

TAX HELP | Lake County

IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers will offer free income tax preparation assistance Saturdays until April 5 throughout Lake County. Those taking advantage of the program must bring Social security cards for all household members and 2007 documents including the amount paid for student loan interest, childcare and college tuition costs, W-2 and 1099 statements, a copy of their 2006 tax return, amount of Indiana rent or property tax paid, an advance child tax credit notification letter (if applicable), proof of bank account for direct deposit, and a photo ID.

FYI: Call (219) 980-2093.

GIFT OF FURNITURE | Gary

The Salvation Army and its envoy, Steven McNary, announce a furniture and appliance donation to the Gary Fire Department. Fire Station No. 12, at 19th and Mississippi Street, received the items.

FOSTER HOMES | Munster

Humane Society Calumet Area seeks foster homes for very young animals until they are old enough to be adopted. An application must be completed and approved and a home inspection is required. Assignments can last up to six weeks.

FYI: Call (219) 922-3811.

HEROS FUNDRAISER | Lowell

A family fundraising event will be held March 30 for Military HEROS, a newly formed foundation aimed at helping military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The event is from noon to 7 p.m. March 30 at D.C.'s Country Junction, 3599 W. 161st Ave. It feature bands such as Scamp, Shud Up and Drive, Flint Lock, Country Junction, Spare Time and Nick Danger. Raffle prizes will include a guitar autographed by country singer Mark Chestnut and two front-row tickets to any country concert at the Midwest Amphitheater in Tinley Park, Ill. There also will be activities for children, including face painting and balloon animals. Tickets are $10 per person with ages 15 and younger admitted free. Sondra Julian, of Chesterton, started the foundation after her son was deployed to Iraq last year. She formed the Military HEROS Foundation, known as M-HEROS, which stands for Mental Health Extras Restoring Our Soldiers. Julian is trying to form a national network of doctors outside of the Veterans

Administration who would agree to treat returning vets with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

FYI: Visit www.mheros.org, email contact@mheros.org or call (219) 728-9440.

HOSPICE HELP | Hammond

Blue Skies Hospice is looking for volunteers interested in providing support and companionship to patients and families at the facility, 2712 169th St. Volunteers will receive training. Pearl Masciotra is the volunteer coordinator.

FYI: Call (219) 554-0688 or visit www.blueskieshospice.com.

PLANT SALE | Chesterton

The Friends of Indiana Dunes holds the 12th Annual Native Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at the Indiana Dunes State Park Bath Pavilion, Ind. 49 at Lake Michigan. The sale includes bulbs, plants, shrubs and trees. Prices range from $5.50 to $48. All 128 varieties are certified as native to Lake, Porter or LaPorte counties. Admission to the park and sale is free. Gardening experts will be on hand to answer questions. Vendors with books and gardening miscellany also will be available. Some varieties will be gone before the doors open, so participants are encouraged to order early. All profit is used to fund public programs and activities of the Friends of Indiana Dunes at the state and national dunes parks.

FYI: Call (219) 926-7561, ext 230.