Helping Hands of Bryan Co. will hold a week of service through July 13. Youth and adult volunteers will be doing small home repairs and yard work for low-income elderly and/or disabled families in Bryan County. Anyone who would like to volunteer their time and skills should call 756-5333 or 653-5344.

The group also is looking for church or civic groups (or restaurants) willing to provide food for the volunteers at the worksites. Heidi Thomson is coordinating the effort. She can be reached at 604-1515 for further information.

Pizza party

This past Wednesday, the Pembroke Library finished their summer reading programs with the Georgia Southern Wildlife Center. There’s nothing better than a bunch of animals, birds, and insects from around the world to highlight the library’s theme of "Reading Takes You Everywhere."

To bring the Vacation Reading Program to a close, the library will be sponsoring a party at the library. Everyone is invited to a pizza party at the Pembroke Library on Wednesday, July 18, starting at 11 a.m. There will be drinks and pizza and fun, and some prizes too. Make sure to bring in your completed reading folder for a free book. Don’t forget – Wednesday, July 18th, 11 a.m. at the Pembroke Public Library.

Back to school

All children ages 3 years to 5th grade are invited to the Pembroke Assembly of God’s first annual "Back to School Extravaganza" on Saturday, July 28 from 10 a.m.- 1 p,.m. The day will be filled with fun including water activities, an ice cream party and limited complimentary school supplies for children kindergarten to 5th grade. All events are free. Pre-registration is required. Call the church office at 653-2338. Pembroke Assembly of God is located at 1514 Bacontown Road, Pembroke.

United Way

The United Way of the Coastal Empire and the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce will soon begin accepting applications for the 2007 Legend’s Community Program Grants. Applications and Instructions will be available on the United Way of the Coastal Empire’s website, www.uwce.org beginning in mid July. Any non-profit organization in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties may apply. The completed application must be received at United Way no later than Friday, August 31, 2007 at 4:30 p.m.

There will be four informational sessions available concerning the Legend’s Community Program Grants. These two-hour sessions will be held in the Conference Room of the United Way Building located in Savannah at 428 Bull Street.

The dates and times are as follows: Tuesday, July 10 from 9–11 a.m.; Thursday, July 12 from 3–5 p.m.; Tuesday, July 24 from 9–11 a.m. and Thursday, July 26 from 3–5 p.m.

Seating is limited, so please call Richard Edwards at 651-7727 or redwards@uwce.org to reserve your seat.

American Legion

The American Legion Post 164 and Ladies Auxiliary meet on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The post is located on U.S. Highway 280 West of Pembroke. All veterans are welcome.

BCHS reunion

The Bryan County High School classes of 1961, 1962 and 1963 are planning a class reunion for this August. Contact addresses are needed.

If you are interested, please contact your classmate: Lavon Nelson (1961), 912-660-9385, Gail Summerford (1962), or Jim Harn (1963).

GARD

G.A.R.D. (Georgia Animal Rescue Defence) is holding a dog and cat food drive. Both dry and canned foods are needed. G.A.R.D. houses animals from the area after rescuing them, socializes them and then adopts them out.

Pet food can be dropped off at the following locations: Richmond Hill Animal Hospital, the Pembroke Library, Cross Screen Printing Company in Hinesville and Shaggy Chic in Pooler. Donations of flea medications and other supplies also are needed. Call 653-2480 or 727-2647 for more information.

Jenkins reunion

The HV Jenkins Class of 1962's 45th reunion is July 20–21. Invitations have already been sent to graduates. For more information or to come, please contact: Patty Bridges Parker at 663-2342, Mary or Cle Lynes , 826-0670, or Woody Bagley at 748-6225. You also can email Parker at Patty.Parker@Armstrong.edu

Mammograms

St. Joseph’s/Candler will be performing mammograms to screen for breast cancer in its mobile screening unit on July 11 and July 18 at St. Joseph’s/Candler Medical Group – Pembroke and on July 12 at the Bryan County Health Department in Richmond Hill. SJ/C accepts most insurance plans including Blue Cross HMO. Financial assistance is available to women who qualify. Appointments are necessary and may be made by calling 819-6800.

Sand Gnats

The Savannah Sand Gnats will host United Way Night on Thursday, July 19 at 7:05 p.m. at Grayson Stadium. United Way of the Coastal Empire is selling tickets for $6 and will receive 50 percent of the proceeds from advance tickets sales through Thursday, July 12. There will be a surprise guest to throw out the first pitch as well as a raffle. For ticket information, contact Keller Deal at kdeal@uwce.org or call 651-7703. Please visit www.uwce.org for additional information.

WWII vets

The Association of Sons, Daughters and Families of 5th Army Veterans of WWII, Italian Campaign will visit Rome, Florence, Venice, Sorrento, the American Military Cemetery, Naples, Cassino, Anzio and much more. Family members of veterans who battled Nazi forces from 1943 to 1945 will visit Italy for a nostalgic tour of cities, towns and places their fathers and grandfathers fought and died for. Trip will leave from New York City, JFK airport on October 14, 2007. Those interested in joining the tour can call Sy Canton at (561) 865-8495 or write to him at 5121-B Nesting Way, Delray Beach, FL 33484