Foster, adoptive parents wanted

DURHAM -- The county Department of Social Services is hosting an information meeting about foster and adoptive parenting from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 29.

The meeting will be held at The Emily Kryzewski Center, 904 W. Chapel Hill St. -- next to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church -- and is free and open to the public.

Guests will learn about the requirements for becoming a foster or adoptive parent. The meeting is designed to answer questions about resources available for foster parents, children and the costs of adoption.

DSS staff members will share information about multiple ways to support youth in foster care.

For more information, contact foster parent recruiter Sandra Reddish at (919) 560-8080 or sreddish@durhamcountync.gov.

Radiothon benefit set

DURHAM -- The Hispanic community in Durham can support children battling cancer and other deadly diseases by participating in the second annual Promesa y Esperanza (Promise and Hope) radiothon held Oct. 8-9 to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Hosted by WTIK-La Mega 1310 AM, the radiothon will encourage listeners to donate to St. Jude in support of the hospital's mission of finding cures and saving children by calling (800) 998-8432 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Oct. 8-9.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call Karina Sandoval at (800) 531-5174 for more information.

St. Jude provides medical care to thousands of sick children regardless of their family's ability to pay.

Last year, WTIK raised more than $24,600 for St. Jude.

Stadium panel sets meeting

DURHAM -- The Durham County Memorial Stadium Authority will hold a special call meeting at noon on Sept. 29 to discuss seating color issues related to the stadium renovation.

The meeting will be held at Durham County Memorial Stadium, 750 Stadium Drive.

For more information, call Deborah Booth at (919) 560-0432 or e-mail dfbooth@co.durham.nc.us.

N.C. Mutual moves archives

DURHAM -- N.C. Mutual Life Insurance Co. will sign an agreement to transfer its archival collection to N.C. Central University and Duke University on Sept. 25.

The signing will take place at 11 a.m. in the Heritage Room on the 12th floor of the N.C. Mutual offices, located at 411 W. Chapel Hill St.

The collection highlights the historic role the company has played locally and nationally in black commerce.

The documents will be housed in Duke's Library Service Center, an off-site location that serves both institutions. The collection will be referred to as "The North Carolina Mutual Collection."

The signing on Sept. 25 is open to the public, and the room will be open until 3 p.m. for public tours.

Utility, mortgage, rent aid offered

DURHAM -- The Council for Senior Citizens can provide assistance to older adults with overdue utility, rent or mortgage.

To qualify you must be at least 60 years old, reside in Durham County and have a turn off notice from your utility company or an eviction notice from your landlord.

Confirmation of need will be determined and identification is required. For confidential assistance, please call Juanita Nelson at (919) 688-8247, ext. 105.

Briggs Avenue garden forum

DURHAM -- N.C. Cooperative Extension's Durham County branch will host a Briggs Avenue Garden Community Forum from 10 a.m.-noon on Sept. 26 at R.N. Harris Elementary School, 1520 Cooper St.

The forum is designed to inform the public about a future neighborhood park and garden in the South Briggs Avenue area.

Guests will be given the opportunity to provide input and ideas about how to develop the South Briggs Avenue area.

A free spaghetti lunch will be served and door prizes will be given.

For additional information about the Briggs Avenue Garden Community Forum, contact Michelle Wallace at (919) 560-0525 or via e-mail at mswallace@co.durham.nc.us.

Volunteers sought Oct. 3

DURHAM -- Residents ready to help clean up Durham should dig out their work gloves and boots and mark their calendars now for the annual North Carolina "Big Sweep" from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 3.

This year's event will focus on removing litter from local streams, watersheds, streets and parks.

Anyone interested in volunteering for this year's event should contact Jennifer Brooks at (919) 560-0558 or jbrooks@co.durham.nc.us. Volunteers can also register on KDB's Web site at www.keepdurhambeautiful.org/big-sweep/index.html.

Groups and organizations are also invited to volunteer.

Contact Mark Donovan at mdonovan@heraldsun.com or (919) 419-6655. E-mail news of interest to our readers to news@heraldsun.com.