Holiday concert to benefit children’s fund
A holiday fundraising concert featuring the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra directed by Philip Bauman will be at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 10, at the La Porte Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge St., La Porte. Special guest artists include the North American Brass Company, Maddi Reese Ames, Kyrie Anderson, Cripple Creek and Jenny Hartson, Jenevieve Hayes, Tim King, and the LCSO Children’s Choir. All proceeds benefit the La Porte Hospital Foundation Children’s Fund, which supports health and wellness programs such as the Lil’ F.I.S.H. Club, Get Active, Get Fit, high school concussion program and child auto safety program. For more information, contact Cassy Swanson at 219-326-2471 or holidaypopslaporte.org.
Firefighters food drive
Schererville firefighters and Local 4279 will host a Firefighters Food Drive from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Schererville Fire Station 2, 1650 Cline Ave. There will be a designated drive up and drop off area for food, gift card or cash donations. More information is at 219-322-2599 or jkruzan@schererville.org.
Soup for fines at East Chicago Public Library
Patrons can wipe their slate clean of overdue fines by contributing to the East Chicago Public Library’s annual food drive. Cans of soup will be accepted as payment for fines through Dec. 29, with one can required for each overdue book. Soup for fines does not apply to items checked out from the Audio-Visual Department or fees for lost or damaged materials. Donations will be accepted at the Main Library, 2401 E. Columbus Drive, and at the Pastrick Branch Library, 1008 W. Chicago Ave., both in East Chicago. The soup will be donated to a local food pantry for distribution. More information is with Latonya Hicks at 219-397-2453, Ext. 17.
Winter Solstice hike at Indiana Dunes
Join a ranger for a late-afternoon hike from 3-4:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore’s West Beach, 376 North County Line Road, Portage. Enjoy views of Lake Michigan and Chicago from the top of the stairs on the Dune Succession Trail as the shortest day of the year approaches. Meet at the West Beach parking lot. More information is at 219-395-1882 or www.nps.gov/indu.
Free breastfeeding program
TLC: The Lactation Clinic will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 28 at Community Hospital, 901 MacArthur Blvd., Munster. Drop-ins are welcome for a lactation consultation or a baby weight check without an appointment. A presentation on Nutrition During Breastfeeding will be held during the clinic, from 9-11 a.m., to educate new mothers on the importance of maintaining their health while breastfeeding. The program is free and no registration is required. More information is at 219-836-6797 or www.comhs.org.
Expo Center to host New Year’s Eve bash
Join the Porter County Expo Center for their annual New Year’s Eve celebration from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31 at 215 E. Division Road, Valparaiso. The all-inclusive event will feature a live band, open bar, dinner, coffee and dessert bar, late night nacho bar, party favors, and a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. The cost is $75 per person. Reservations and more information is at http://www.portercountyexpo.com/nye.
— Staff report
