The Books and Bric a Brac sale will be held at the Kansas City Kansas Community College's Conference Center this week.

The sale will benefit the Shepherd's Center of Kansas City, Kan., an interfaith organization that helps older adults in Wyandotte County.

The two-day event will be held on Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

KCKCC is located at 7250 State Avenue. The conference center is located by the lake.

The Salvation Army in Kansas City announced this morning that it raised $7.7 million during its 2009 Christmas Campaign.

The $7.7 million figure exceeded the organization's goal of $7.5 million. The campaign began Nov. 1 and concluded the last day of January.

“We are so grateful to everyone who dropped money into our Red Kettles at Christmas, wrote a check or volunteered their time,” said Major Jeffrey Smith, divisional commander of The Salvation Army in Kansas City. “Even with the struggling economy, the people of Kansas City continue to demonstrate their generosity and compassion for their neighbors in need.”

The funds raised during the campaign benefits the Salvation Mary's programs and services. Over 10,000 children were provided toys and meals in the Kansas City area last Christmas season.

A part of your normal morning drink of coffee on Feb. 9 will be for a very good cause if you have it at Palmer's Candy.

From 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., Palmer's Candies & Ice Cream in the Legends Shopping Center at Village West will donate 10 percent of their sales to the local American Red Cross.

The local business is joined in the effort by Country Club Bank.

View Larger Map

Beginning in just under a half hour, the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, 710 N. 7th Street, will host a Toys for Tots event.

Presents and food items will be presented to families in need. The event begins at 9 a.m. and concludes whenever all the items are given out.

(Photos and information courtesy of Melissa Bynum.)

Students in the five second grade classes at Piper Elementary participated in a holiday project of collecting hats, scarves, mittens and gloves for the young people served by PACES, Wyandotte County’s behavioral health services for young people.

PACES serves thousands of young people each year who experience mental, emotional or behavioral challenges; many of these young people also experience the need for warm winter clothing.

The Salvation Army is about $3.5 million short in its goal to raise $7.5 million.

The Salvation Army will launch a campaign in an effort to generate the remainder of the goal. It's called "Just $5 More"

“We have been serving, on average, 30 percent more people here in Kansas City over the last year,” said Mjr. Jeffrey Smith, divisional commander of The Salvation Army in Kansas City. “Just giving $5 more – just one time at a Red Kettle this next week - can change the lives of families in crisis in our community.”

More from a press release:
 

The money raised during the Salvation Army Christmas Campaign funds programs throughout the year including food pantries, homeless shelters, transitional housing, emergency assistance and substance abuse programs as well as holiday programs including toys for 10,000 children, Christmas food boxes for 5,000 families and gifts for the homebound and elderly.

The Salvation Army has been serving those in need in the Kansas City area for more than 120 years. In the last year, the organization served more than 502,000 meals, provided 144,000 nights of lodging and helped 48,000 individuals with emergency assistance.

While the Turner Golden Bears and Bonner Springs Braves will compete for victory on the basketball court on Dec. 18, the two teams will unite to fight cancer.

The two teams are joining the fight against breast cancer in the "Coming Together for a Cure" event.

All proceeds from the game will be donated to the Breast Cancer Prevention Center, which is affiliated with the University of Kansas Hospital.

Students at both schools are raising funds through the sell of "Coming Together" T-shirts and wrist bands. Turner High School will host a class "coin drive" and will sell "Honor Ribbons."

Those who purchase a shirt and wear it to the game can get $2 off their game admission tickets.

Turner High School will host the girls and boys varsity games beginning at 7 p.m.

While the United Way of Wyandotte County has raised over $2 million during its fundraising campaign, the organization will extend its campaign in order to hit its goal of $2.4 million.

A celebration lunch will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Jack Reardon Convention Center from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

“We will continue to work and do what is needed to meet the growing need in our community,” said Wendell Maddox, President and CEO, United Way of Wyandotte County. “This community has shown its generosity over the years, and I have faith that by continuing to work together, we will meet the needs in Wyandotte County.”  

A silent auction at the event. Donations from local businesses such as Proctor & Gamble, Trave Benefits by Design, Show Me Shooters Indoor Range, Legends 14 Theaters, Sunflower Hills Golf COurse, Hilton Garden, Gold's Gym and Rainbow Brushless Car Wash.

Jennifer Jo Cobb will host the event. Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools Superintendent Jill Shackelford and United Auto Workers Local 31 President Jeff Manning are the co-chairs for the event.

“We’re celebrating progress and thanking all of our supporters, but by no means are we done campaigning. We’ve raised $2 million, and we’re determined to reach our stretch goal of $2.4 million by extending the campaign in order to meet our community’s needs,” Shackelford said. “We need everyone who is able to make a contribution to please consider doing so.”

The event is opened to the public. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling the United Way at (913) 371-3674.

 The fifth annual Kansas City Guns 'N Hoses fundraiser will be held Saturday, November 7th at Memorial Hall.  Area Policemen box area Firemen to raise funds for the Surviving Spouses and Family Endowment Fund (SAFE) and area amateur boxing.  

2009 Tickets Now On Sale! 
Ticket Prices: $10 and $20 General Admission 
and $30 Reserved 
At Ringside, Inc. 14865 W 105 St. Lenexa, KS 
events@ringside.com 913-888-7766 x879 
Or through Ticketmaster.com 

Love My Hair for Kids of KCK, a new local charity aimed at helping children who have suffered hair loss from cancer related treatments or other health reasons, will host a charity cigar pairing and wine tasting on Oct. 14. 

The event will be held from 6:30–8:30 p.m at the Qudos Cigar Bar on 1116 Grand Blvd. in Kansas City, Mo.

A silent auction will be available for the event. The organization was launched in March of 2009. 

A historic event taking place in Kansas City. Hundreds of local dancers will join thousands in over 100 cities around the world in a World Record Breaking Performance of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. This Food Drive event features vendors and live entertainment and silent auction to support The Children’s Place and the Bishop Sullivan Center. www.thrilltheworldkc.com