Locals invited to adopt a classroom

Tough economic times that have hit Tracy classrooms hard have given rise to a new effort launched by organizers of the ForCarol.com scholarship site: bringing residents and businesses together with local schools through an “adopt a class” program.

Individuals and business owners can sign up to partner with a classroom in need of some extra help, and teachers can list their classrooms for adoption.

Adoption could mean providing much-needed supplies, visiting to help teachers in the classroom, pitching in with special events or even sending a guest speaker to talk with students.

Organizers will connect volunteers with teachers, and the teachers and helpers will arrange the amount and type of help.

ForCarol.com began in memory of Carol Phan, a 2010 Tracy High School graduate who was killed in an auto accident in September 2010.

For information: http://forcarol.wordpress.com/adopt-a-class/.

Salvation Army seeks summertime donations

Need knows no season, and neither do the folks at the Salvation Army’s Tracy Service Extension office. But their resources are stretched thin as they work to meet a growing demand for help.

“I am caught in the middle of needs that never seem to end and severely limited funds,” said Joye Storey, director of the local office. “It’s like having to juggle with one arm tied behind my back.”

Storey hopes people in Tracy will step up to help the organization so it can keep helping hungry and struggling families in the community.

Donations may be taken to the Salvation Army’s Tracy Service Center, 241 E. 10th St., Unit A, or made online at www.gosalarmy.org.

Fair organizers call for crafters

Applications are available to crafters who wish to participate in the third annual Oktoberfest Craft Faire at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

The fair will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24, a Saturday, in the Life Center Building on the church grounds, at Lowell Avenue and Chester Drive.

For information: Vi Kramer, 833-7389.

• Lend a Hand runs in Our Town whenever someone is looking for volunteers or has a need for donations. Send your plea to tpourtown@tracypress.com or drop a note at the Tracy Press, 10th and A streets.