Community briefs

Gateway news services

Fox Island United Church of Christ to host blessing

The Fox Island United Church of Christ will host its annual Blessing of the Animals at 3 p.m. Sunday at 726 6th Ave. on Fox Island.

The community is invited to bring their animals for songs, stories and a blessing. Pets should be leashed or caged for their safety.

For more information, call Neve Norton at 253-853-1572.

Key Peninsula Veterans to fly flags on Veterans Day

The Key Peninsula Veterans Institute will be flying the American flag and all service flags from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11 at Vaughn Bay Cemetery at the corner of 100th Street KPN and 186th Avenue KPN in Vaughn.

The event will be a tribute to military members, both past and present.

Key Peninsula Civic Center to host winter craft fair

The Key Peninsula Civic Center will jump-start the holiday shopping season with its Winter Warm-Up Craft Fair and Chili Cook-Off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 at 17010 S. Vaughn Road KPN in Vaughn.

The event will feature handmade and one-of-a-kind local crafts and creations, a Kids’ Crafts Corner sponsored by Two Waters Arts Alliance, entertainment, a raffle and a chili cookoff. The kitchen will serve chili, nachos, hot dogs, chili dogs and corn bread, plus hot and cold beverages.

All proceeds will benefit the Key Peninsula Civic Center. For more information, call 253-884-3456 or e-mail kpciviccenter@centurytel.net.

Chili cookoff applications can be downloaded at www.kpciviccenter.org.

Great Car Wash to host Round-up campaign

The Great Car Wash will host its seventh annual Round-up Campaign for the Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank from Nov. 1 through Dec. 14 at 6750 Kimball Drive. The car wash is open seven days a week.

Great Car Wash customers will be encouraged to round up their purchase amount for donation to the food bank for holiday food boxes, which will be distributed just before Christmas.

Key Peninsula Veterans to present ‘Trees of Sharing’

The Key Peninsula Veterans Institute will invite the community to help in its annual “Trees of Sharing” drive from Nov. 27 to Dec. 10 to purchase gifts for Veterans at American Lake Veterans Hospital.

The Christmas trees will be located at the Bridgeway Market, Purdy Costless, Key Center Peninsula Market and the Homeport restaurant. Each tree will be decorated with gift tags that state a specific item in need for the veterans.

Participants can remove a tag, purchase the gift and return it to the store or restaurant. All gifts will be delivered the week before Christmas to the American Lake veterans. For more information, call KPVI President Rich Tiegs at 253-509-0761.

Windermere, CHS to host toy and clothing drive

Windermere Key Realty and Children’s Home Society will host a toy and clothing drive for children in need on the Key Peninsula during November and December at 11615 state Route 302 in Gig Harbor.

For more information, call 253-857-3304.

FICRA to host holiday gift bazaar Nov. 21

The Fox Island Community and Recreation Association will host a Holiday Gift Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Nichols Community Center, 690 9th Ave. on Fox Island.

The bazaar will feature a variety of hand-crafted items, as well as other unique gifts. Admission and parking is free.

Vendors and crafters are wanted. For more information, call Lise’ Ohlson at 253-549-2701, e-mail ficra@foxisland.net or visit www.foxisland.net.