The Clothes Closet will be open to the general public at no charge on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year, the foundation is hosting a Gift Gala offering crafts and wares from local vendors as well as gift-wrapping. Donations will be accepted until Wednesday, Nov. 7. All donations are tax-deductible and all profits from the sale benefit the Montana Woman Foundation Scholarship Fund. For more information call (406) 755-5753.
Local volunteers are collecting simple shoebox gifts personally packed by children, families and individuals in Missoula. From Missoula, the shoebox gifts will be sorted and sent to reach suffering children around the world. Local collection sites are as follows:
Cornerstone Bible Church, 280 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton: Monday, Nov. 12, Friday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 18, 1-4 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
What you can do to get involved: Enlist families, churches, Scout troops, community groups and businesses to take part in creating shoebox gifts for needy children worldwide. Fill shoeboxes with school supplies, toys, necessity items, candy and a letter of encouragement. Step-by-step shoebox packing instructions are available at http://www.samaritanspurse.org.
Sign up to join Operation Christmas Child volunteers at collection sites in Missoula. For more information call (253) 572-1155 or visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org.
St. Paul Lutheran Church's third annual Holiday Bazaar features hundreds of items and takes place Friday, Nov. 9, 2-8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 10, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., at 202 Brooks St. There will be Christmas decorations, homemade food - including lefse, jams, jellies and candies - crafts, antiques and collectibles. Homemade pie and coffee and tea will also be available. Profits will be used for improvements to the church's kitchen.
The Missoula AARP Tax Aide program is looking for volunteers in the Missoula, Hamilton and Stevensville areas to assist in tax preparation and to become leadership coordinators. Volunteer tax counselors receive free tax training with emphasis on electronic filing, and become IRS-certified.
Counselors help taxpayers one-on-one at local tax sites. Leadership positions coordinate program delivery at the local, state and regional level, or manage specific program activities such as technology, training or administration. Volunteers are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program and travel-related expenses. For more information, contact Dale Jackson, 549-7571, or Jim McClean, 543-7567.
Homeless veterans at the Missoula 3:16 Rescue Mission are being remembered, as well as American men and women currently serving in the armed forces, with a special Veterans Day service, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12, at 506B Toole Ave.
If you need to make changes to or enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan, now is the time to do that. The Annual Election Period runs Nov. 15 through Dec. 31. Even people who are currently on Medicare Part D and don't want to make any changes may benefit from reviewing their current plan.
At this time, Part D plans can and do make changes throughout the year. A plan may drop prescriptions they previously covered, change prescription prices, raise monthly premiums and add restrictions. However, the Annual Election Period is the only time during the year an individual may switch to another Part D plan.
To review your current Part D plan and determine if it still best meets your needs, call your local SHIP counselor. Besides checking your Part D plan, a certified SHIP counselor can research programs that may help cover prescription costs not covered by your plan or excessive costs for more expensive drugs. They can also help you take advantage of any subsidies that can help with the cost of Medicare Part D.
In Missoula county, qualified assistance is available at Missoula Aging Services, 728-7682. Make an appointment in advance. If you live outside of Missoula County, call toll free 1-800-551-3191 to find the assistance nearest you.
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