Sneaker Drive

State Representative Robert B. Lancia (R-District 16Cranston), along with his wife Maryann, will host the 2nd annual Hope for the Holidays, a benefit to support the 'Gotta Have Sole' Foundation. Gotta Have Soul Foundation Inc.'s mission is to provide children living in shelters across the United States with brand-new footwear to call their own.

"This is truly a worthy cause and I hope everyone in Cranston and throughout our great state shows up to donate to needy children in our area," said Rep. Lancia. "This is an important event for my wife and I every holiday season. It means a lot to us as a couple to do everything we can to provide for others who may be less fortunate than ourselves."

Representative Lancia asks that anyone wishing to contribute, please purchase a pair of brand new sneakers, in your own shoe size, and on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon, bring the sneakers to PaneraBread, located at 400 Chapel View Boulevard in Cranston to donate to homeless children in Rhode Island.

In attendance, meet Representative Robert B. Lancia, HopeMan, Miss Black Talented Teen Rhode Island, Miss Rhode Island and others. For more information on the 'Gotta Have Sole' Foundation, please visit www.gottahavesole.org. A Christmas to Remember

Praise Tabernacle Church located at 330 Park Ave. in Cranston is putting on their Annual Christmas Production the weekend of Dec. 16, 17 and 18 called "The Christmas to Remember.” This is a free show open to the public. Each year, they end up adding an additional show due to the amount of people that come out to see it. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. with an additional 11 a.m. show on Dec.18.

Beginning last year, Praise Tabernacle started a special "Sensory-Friendly" production for children and adults with special needs. There is a cry room available if needed. Anyone who works in group homes, nursing homes or special behavioral environments are encouraged to bring your residents, patients and their families to this special show.

This Sensory-Friendly Christmas Show will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17. CCAP Adopt-a-FamilyProgram

Once again CCAP is organizing their annual "CCAP Adopt-a-Family Program." Although reports say that the economy has improved, they are still seeing very fragile communities, and our families continue to struggle. They hope that you will assist us in bringing a happy holiday season to them.

The "Adopt-a-Family Program" helps hundreds of local families during the holiday and your commitment to this project would be greatly appreciated.

CCAP makes it easy for you to extend your kindness and generosity to the families in need in our community by helping in two ways: you can adopt a family and we can provide you with their wish list; or you can make a monetary donation. A donation of $300 will adopt an entire family.

Your gift, large or small, can make a difference for a joyous holiday for a family in need. All donations are due by Tuesday, Dec. 13to CCAP at 311 Doric Avenue, Cranston. For more information, contact Joanne Gregory at 562-8333 or jgregory@comcap.org. Holiday Meal Program

Alone during the holidays? Do you need a holiday meal? Are you a Cranston resident 60 years or older? Will you be alone or know someone who will be alone during Christmas? If so, you may qualify for the Holiday Meal Program sponsored by Mayor Allan Fung and the Cranston Department of SeniorServices. Volunteers will prepare and deliver Christmas meals to any Cranston Senior resident who is alone during the holiday. Call 780-6000 to register for a meal by Dec. 9. A Celtic Christmas Concert

The West Bay Chorale will be holding its annual Christmas Concert entitled "A Celtic Christmas Celebration" on Dec. 18 at Edgewood Congregational Church, 1788 Broad St at 3 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. The concert will include a selection of 13 Celtic arrangements with one being sung in Gaelic. The concert will also include several professional instrumentalists. Solo's will be performed by members of the West Bay Chorale. Come and enjoy an afternoon of Irish Christmas music that will be sure to warm your heart. For more information visitinfo@westbaychorale.org.

Menorah lightings in Cranston

The lighting of the Pawtuxet Village Menorah will be held at6 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Pawtuxet Park Gazebo. Join in afterward for hot latkes, gelt, dreidel games and Hanukkah songs led by Rabbi Yossi Laufer of Chabad of West Bay. The event will be held rain or snow. Bring an umbrella. Everyone is welcome.

The City of Cranston will hold their Menorah Lighting led by Rabbi Yossi Laufer of Chabad of West Bay, which will include arts and crafts, latkes and more. The Lighting will be at 5 p.m. inside City Hall.

Yard Waste reminder

The City of Cranston would like to remind all Cranston residents that the last week for yard waste pick up will begin on Dec. 12 and end on Dec. 16. It will be picked up on your normal trash day. Please leave any yard waste bags with other trash and recyclables on your normal trash pick-up day that week.

If you have any further questions, contact the Department of Public Works at 780-3174. Breakfasts with Santa

Breakfast with Santa will be held Dec. 11 at NewportCreamery from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., and Dec. 18 at Corner Bakery Cafe from 7:30a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Both are in Garden City. Santa can also be found at his shed at the Gazebo throughout this Christmas season. No reservations needed. Bring your camera and your wishlist. At the Senior Center

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center will host several upcoming programs to benefit our senior citizens.

The Cranston Senior Enrichment Center at 1070 Cranston St. will be holding a presentation on Holistic Approach to Healthy Aging "Managing Pain & Anxiety" on Dec. 21 at 10 a.m.

Guest speaker will be Alanna Sousa-Pullan, A complimentary & Alternative Medicine Practitioner (CAM). Aging gracefully is not just a lifestyle - it's a mindset that focuses on connecting your mind, body and spirit for overall health and wellness. At this presentation, you will learn about complementary and alternative practices available to help manage pain and anxiety.

Also at the Center, volunteers are needed to deliver Christmas Meals on Dec. 23. Anyone interested in delivering meals for Christmas please contact David Quiroa at 780-6180 or email him at dquiroa@cranstonri.org. Include your full name, address, and phone number. Meals will be delivered from the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center, December 23 beginning at 11 a.m.

Looking for the perfect gift for a friend or family member? The center has gift certificates in $5, $10 and $25 denominations. These certificates can be applied toward membership fees, program fees, Snack Bar items, Transvan passes and the RSVP Gift Shoppe. Did You Know?

The custom of sending Christmas cards was started in the UK in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole. He was a civil servant (government worker) who had helped set up the new Public Record Office (now called the post office), where he was an assistant keeper, and wondered how it could be used more by ordinary people.

Sir Henry had the idea of Christmas cards with his friend John Horsley, who was an artist. They designed the first card and sold them for 1 shilling each. (That is only 5 pounds or 8 cents today. The card had three panels. The outer two panels showed people caring for the poor and in the center panel was a family having a large Christmas dinner.

Some people didn't like the card because it showed a child being given a glass of wine. About 1,000 were printed and sold. They are now very rare and cost thousands of pounds or dollars to buy now. (Source: Wikipedia) To submit your news from the community, e-mail Meri R. Kennedy at CranstonChatter@aol.com.Photos in .jpg format are accepted and news can range from community events, promotions, academic news and non-profit events. E-mail today and see your news in our column in the CranstonHerald. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we require any further information. Be sure to check out our website at www.cranstononline.com.