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Last year, South Portland Christmas Toy Drive provided more than 280 South Portland children with new warm jackets, boots and toys. One hundred percent of the funds raised are used directly to purchase items needed by children.

The organizers announced the start of the annual South Portland Christmas Toy Tour. For more information or to adopt a family, please contact Liz Darling of Maine Roofing, Inc. at 207-767-4243 or email [email protected] Courtesy photo

This is the 10th year of the event and involves collaboration with South Portland Police Department, South Portland Police Patrol Association, South Portland School System, South Portland Local 1476 Professional Firefighters, South Portland Community Center , Maine Roofing Company, Ivy Ferry Village’s partnerships Watering Hole, Port Harbor Marine and Peoples United-Millcreek.

Every year, toy cars collect hundreds of toys, boots and coats and distribute them to families with the help of the police. This year, the organization expects greater demand because so many people are suffering in the pandemic. Organizers are looking for companies, groups or individuals to "adopt children." All participants need to do is specify how many children they want to buy coats, boots and some toys for.

The event is also looking for donations of new, unpackaged toys, art supplies, youth supplies, and gift cards that can be sent to any business listed on the town’s poster. The deadline for donations is Friday, December 10.

The organizer made donations easier this year and added a QR code to the poster to take the donor directly to the GOFUNDME website (www.gofundme.com/f/SoPoChristmasToyDrive) or Venmo account @so-po-christmas-toy -drive).

Participants can also pay by check to: SPPPA Community Needs Fund. Checks and/or gift cards can be delivered or mailed to: Rooftop Maine-24 Bishop Ave., South Portland, ME 04106.

The annual toy driving party will be held at Evie's Ferry Village Watering Hole, 121 Sawyer Street, South Portland on Saturday, December 11, starting at 6 pm. Bring new unpackaged toys and enjoy an evening full of fun and cocktails.

Toy recycling location: Maine Roofing, Inc., 24 Bishop Ave., South Portland South Portland Police Department, 30 Anthoine St., South Portland South Portland Fire Station – Cash Corner, 360 Main St., South Portland South Portland Community Center – 21 Nelson Road, South Portland Port Harbor Marine, 1 Spring Point Drive, South Portland People's United Bank – Millcreek, 15 Hinckley Drive, South Portland Snap Fitness, 747 Broadway, South Portland April Cohen Team, 382A Cottage Road, South Portland

For more information or to adopt a family, please contact Liz Darling of Maine Roofing, Inc. at 207-767-4243 or email [email protection]

The Christmas market is scheduled to be held on December 4th

Christmas will be the focus at the annual holiday market held at the First Congregational Church (167 Blackpoint Road) in Scarborough from 8:30 am to noon on Saturday, December 4th.

The parish hall and church chapel will feature breakfast cakes and coffee, Maine-themed handmade products, festive vegetables, Christmas items, quilts, crafts, jewelry, kitchenware, hand-knitted goods, homemade baked goods, sweets and biscuits.

The proceeds will be used for the charity of the church. Need to wear a mask. For more information, please call 883-2342.

Pie-making events benefit Preble Street Resource Center

Residents, neighbors, and friends of the South Portland area will gather on Tuesday, November 23 for an evening pie-making event to benefit the Preble Street Resource Center. Baking will take place in the basement kitchen of First Congregational Church at 301 Cottage Road, South Portland, from 3 to 8 pm. Everyone is welcome.

Bakers are required to bring all the ingredients for the pie they plan to make, including disposable pie tins, fillings and crusts. All standard baking equipment-rolling pins, peelers, etc. will be provided. If you make pumpkin pie, you can use canned pumpkins. The baker can arrive at any time between 3pm and 8pm, and the last pie goes into the oven at 7pm

Since 2002, this event has been held every year. Initially, the pie was baked outside the organizer's home, and then several group baking activities were held with the small school PTA, friends and neighbors. In the intervening years, the organizers baked in her home.

In the year before the coronavirus pandemic, more than 25 bakers participated in the community event, which turned out to be 60 pies. The organizers hope to reach or exceed this total.

"Thanksgiving is the most popular secular holiday," Alan Clancy wrote in a press release on November 14. "Everyone, regardless of their current experience, will appreciate and deserve a slice or two of their favorite pie during this great American holiday. This is a great activity for kids to get involved and let them have fun And participate in charitable donations in a productive way."

Clancy of Coldwell Banker Residential Realty is the organizer of this year's event.

"Thanks to the First Congregational Council for lending them the industrial kitchen and Scratch Bakery, they once again generously provided the very necessary pie boxes. Without these pie boxes, delivery would be impossible," Clancy wrote.

For more information, or if you plan to bring young children, please email [Email Protection] or call 207-808-3431.

Barksgiving pet food program

The South Portland Dog Owners Group (SoPoDog) will host the Barksgiving community pet food event on Saturday, November 20 to benefit South Portland pantry. The organization hopes that citizens of South Portland can stop donating pet food at one of the two locations between 10 am and 1 pm when they go out and buy holiday food.

The collection will be in front of the Loyal Companion pet store in Mill Creek and across the street from Hannaford in Mill Creek Park. Look for SoPoDog banners and ambassador dogs, they will be there to thank you and wish you a happy Thanksgiving.

According to SoPoDog’s press release on November 15th, “All dog owners know that it’s not just turkeys that like to gobble up — our pets also like them. We are grateful to accept all donations. Don’t forget cats — SoPoDog does not discriminate ."

Those interested in helping to arrange a table, putting food in small bags into the pantry, or letting your well-behaved dog act as an ambassador should send an email [email protected]

What: Barksgiving Holiday Pet Food Drive

· Loyal partner of Mill Creek

· Mill Creek Park is located opposite Hannaford on Cottage Road

Time: Saturday, November 20, 10 am to 1 pm

For more information: Alan Clancy 207-808-3431

The First Congregational Church in South Portland is holding a wreath bazaar.

Due to the pandemic, the church was unable to hold holiday sales. The church is located at 301 Cottage Road and is scheduled to be picked up at Sawyer Street.

The cost of a garland with a bow is $20, and the cost of a bow and decorations is $25. The deadline for orders is November 30.

To order, please send SMS 207-318-1605, Lynne Lanctot, or send an email [email protection] to pay cash or check when picking up the goods. Pay the check to FCCUCC and write "Wreath" in the comment box.

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