CROWN POINT

Students collect food for region residents

The annual Student Council food drive at St. Mary Catholic Community School collected more than 4,000 items for distribution.

The items were divided between St. Mary's Food Pantry and Sojourner Truth House, a shelter for domestic abuse victims, in Gary.

The students bagged and packed the items and delivered them to the preselected families at the Sojourner Truth House.

DYER

Church will open food pantry on Wednesday

St. Joseph's Helping Hands Food Pantry will be open from 10 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the lower level of St. Joseph Church, 440 Joliet St. (U.S. 30).

Those in need from Dyer, Schererville, St. John, Griffith and Munster are eligible for help and should bring two proofs of residency.

For more information, call (219) 865-2271.

CROWN POINT

Police advocates, city collect for injured officer

Crown Point F.O.P. Lodge No. 176 and the city of Crown Point are collecting donations for Crown Point police Sgt. John "Jack" Allendorf Jr., who was seriously injured while on duty Dec. 5 when his squad car was struck by a man fleeing in a truck from an alleged domestic dispute.

All proceeds will benefit Allendorf's family. Donations can be mailed to the Crown Point F.O.P. No. 176, Attn: Officer Sheri Laney, 124 N. East St., Crown Point, IN 46307.

For more information, call Laney at (219) 663-2131, ext. 210.

LOWELL

Lumber store sponsors winter coat, scarf drive

A coat drive is being sponsored through the end of the year at Tri-Creek Lumber and Hardware, 1895 E. Commercial Ave.

Drop off new or gently used and clean coats of any size for men, women or children from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, and they will be distributed to local churches and St. Jude House in Crown Point. More than 170 winter coats and 50 handmade scarves and numerous hats and gloves already have been collected and distributed.

For more information, call (219) 696-8936.

CROWN POINT

Take home miniature versions of landmarks

This holiday season the Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce is selling miniature lighted houses depicting the Old Lake County Courthouse, post office, Old Sheriff's House and Carnegie Center. They can be bought in the Old Lake County Courthouse on the downtown square.

Buy five at $55 each and receive a sixth house for free. Customers also will receive a free Christmas ornament with each purchase.

For more information, call (219) 663-1800.