Gene Birk, founder and director of toy and food drive Brighter Christmas, seeks volunteers for this year’s efforts. This is the 30th year of Brighter Christmas, and Birk said he hopes to find about 300 volunteers to make the holidays happier for thousands of children and their families.

Would-be volunteers will meet from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the American Legion Hall, 1960 N. Tracy Blvd.

For information: Gene Birk, 833-3309.

Festival of Trees tickets on sale

Tickets for this year’s Festival of Trees are on sale for the November fundraiser that generates cash to pay for classes and other events to improve the health of children.

The annual fundraiser kicks off Nov. 20 with the Silver Bell Tea Social and ends Nov. 22 with the Family Breakfast with Santa. Events take place at the Tracy Ballroom, 430 W. Ninth St.

Tickets can be obtained from the Sutter Tracy Community Hospital Foundation at www.suttertracy.org/foundation.

For information: 832-6052.

Moose haunted house

The Tracy Moose Lodge will have a haunted house at 6 p.m. Friday at the lodge, 35 E. Sixth St.

Ghosts, goblins and gremlins are welcome, and the cost is $3 plus one can of food that will be donated to Brighter Christmas, an annual charity event.

For information: 835-4366.

Trick or treat pancake breakfast

The Tracy Masonic Lodge will host a trick or treat pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the lodge, 1601 N. Tracy Blvd.

The Masons will serve pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, milk and coffee, and they request a $5 donation, with the money going to Tracy Interfaith Ministries. They’ll also accept canned food.

Those in costume will receive a Halloween treat.

For information: 482-8992.

Girl Scout book drive

Girl Scout Bailey Poole has organized a book drive for Brighter Christmas as part of her Girl Scout Bronze Award.

Bailey is looking for new and “gently used” books that will be given to needy families during the annual Christmas fundraiser.

Books can be dropped off at Java Makers on Tracy Boulevard.

For information: Kevin Poole, kpoole@unclecu.org.

Military Moms blood drive

The Military Moms of Tracy and the Delta Blood Bank will host a blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 11 at 1960 N. Tracy Blvd.

Blood donors receive free hand sanitizer and will be entered into a raffle for a free S-Mart Foods gift card.

For information: 943-3855.

Rescued cats available Animal Rescue of Tracy will have cats for adoption at Petco, 2888 W. Grant Line Road, every day in their adoption center. The cats and kittens will be rotated every two weeks to provide a variety of choices for people to adopt.

The adoption fee of $75 includes the cost of spaying or neutering the cat, vaccines, flea treatment and de-worming. All cats are litter-box trained.

For information: 609-8220.

• “Briefs” announces news about events, organizations and people in the Tracy and Mountain House areas. Items will be considered on the basis of space availability, public interest and timeliness. Questions may be directed to the newsroom at 830-4280. Press releases may be e-mailed to tpnews@tracypress.com, or mailed to the Tracy Press, P.O. Box 419, Tracy 95378-0419.