Find out all the events going on in your community, and plan your week's activities with The Times.

To get listed in the calendar, contact Portage community coordinator Barbara Martin.

E-mail: bmartin@nwitimes.com.

Fax: (219) 762-8386.

Address: 3410 Delta Drive, Portage IN 46368

Questions? Call (219) 762-1397, ext. 2227.

LETTER CARRIER FOOD DRIVE | Portage

Letter carriers in Portage will collect nonperishable food items May 10 in the 16th annual Letter Carriers' Food Drive. The theme for this year's food collection is "It's not in the bag without You!" To donate, leave nonperishable food items in a bag near the mailbox before the letter carrier arrives. The letter carriers will take the donations back to the Portage Post Office where it will be sorted and taken to the Portage Township Food Pantry.

FYI: Call Ronda Colville or Drew Dvorscak at (219) 762-6571.

MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEA | Portage

Holy Cross Lutheran Church will host a Mother-Daughter Tea at 2 p.m. May 10 at the church, 5402 U.S. 6. Women, their daughters and granddaughters are invited to an afternoon of elegant refreshment and entertainment.

FYI: Call (219) 763-6343.

DOUGHNUTS FOR RELAY | Portage

Ten percent of all sales between 6 a.m. and noon May 10 at Dunkin' Donuts, 6050 Central Ave., will go to Portage Relay for Life, the annual overnight fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. that same day, two Dunkin' Donuts characters will be available for photos, for a small donation to Relay for Life. The Portage Relay for Life will be held June 6 and 7 at Willowcreek Middle School, 5962 Central Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 763-1113.

BREAKFAST FIGHTS CANCER | Portage

A breakfast to raise money for The 3-Day Walk will be from 8 to 10 a.m. May 31 at Applebee's, 6211 U.S. 6. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. The pancake breakfast includes sausage and bacon. Trish DeBord is participating in the cancer walk in which participants walk 60 miles in three days. All donations benefit breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.

FYI: Call (219) 762-3243 or (219) 762-1027.

POKER RUN | Porter

Leroy's Hot Stuff, 333 U.S. 20, will host a Steelworkers Memorial Benefit Poker Run & Party on June 1. The cost is $15 per single or $20 per couple and includes a buffet at 4 p.m. at Leroy's Hot Stuff. Poker run sign-ups begin at 11 a.m., with the last bike out at 1 p.m. The last bike will return at 5 p.m. Live music will begin at 4 p.m. and will feature Jimmy Chaddock, Johnny MacAttack, All Shook Down and Max-Voltz. The event also includes a 50/50 raffle and door prizes. All proceeds will be used to construct a memorial monument to the Burns Harbor plant workers who lost their lives at work.

FYI: Call (219) 928-8006.

BREAKFAST TO FIGHT CANCER | Portage

The Bridge Community Church will hold a fundraising breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. May 31 at the church, 2884 Monnier St. Proceeds will go to Relay for Life, the annual overnight American Cancer Society fundraiser. The menu will include pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, hash brown casserole and a drink for a $5 donation.

FYI: (219) 762-3958.

BLOOD DRIVE | Valparaiso

Masters of Harmony Chorus of Valparaiso will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at Valparaiso First Baptist Church, 2205 N. Campbell St. Dubbed "Singing for Life," this will be one of the blood drives organized by an estimated 800 barbershop choruses across the United States and Canada. This is to be the largest North American blood drive and donor recruitment project in history. The blood drive also will include entertainment.

FYI: Call David Robertson at (219) 381-5376.

PLANT SALE | Lakes of the Four Season

Lakes of the Four Seasons House and Garden Club will have its annual plant sale beginning at 9 a.m. May 10 in the lower clubhouse parking lot. The sale will include a variety of annuals and perennials. All proceeds go back to the LOFS in the form of beautification of the public gardens.

FYI: Call (219) 531-9012.

IDENTITY THEFT | Portage

"How Identity Theft Can Affect Your Business" will be the topic of the Power Lunch from noon to 1 p.m. May 13 at Miller's Senior Living Community, 5911 Lute Road. Jacqueline Kennedy, CIT risk management specialist for Identity Theft Awareness Group, will talk about federal regulations, breach of identity and methods to protect against identity theft, specifically for business. Power Lunches are free, educational seminars geared to business leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as executives, supervisors and managers. The presentation is free. Lunch is available for $5 per person. Call by May 12 to reserve lunch.

FYI: Call Louise Thompson at (219) 764-0628.

ELECTION RECAP | Valparaiso

The League of Women Voters of Porter County invites voters to share their voting experiences at a public meeting at 10 a.m. May 10 at the Family and Youth Services Bureau, 253 W. Lincolnway. The meeting will address problems voters might have had at area polling places during the May 6 primary election. Forms will be available to report concerns to the Porter County Election Board. Jeanette Neagu, chair of the Election Reform Committee for the League of Women Voters of Indiana, will share that group's activities and recommendations about how the voting process can be improved.

FYI: Call Martha L. Willis at (219) 762-6642 or send an e-mail to marthawillis@verizon.net.

JONES GARAGE SALE | Portage

Jones Elementary School will hold a Cleaning for a Cause garage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 at the school, 2374 McCool Road. Students and adults will set up tables at the school to sell items such as used toys, books, clothes and household items. Participants will donate 50 percent of their sales to the Portage Township YMCA, Portage Township Food Pantry and Jacob's Ladder. They'll keep the remaining 50 percent.

FYI: Call (219) 763-8025 or send an e-mail to edwards6669@verizon.net.

LIGHT UP THE CITY | Portage

Purchase a purple light bulb for your porch light and help light up the city in support of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Light bulbs cost $5 each and are available at the UPS Store, 3311 Willowcreek Road; at Rhame & Elwood Attorneys at Law, 3200 Willowcreek Road. Organizers ask that residents turn on their purple-bulbed porch lights between Memorial Day and June 7 to show support for the fight against cancer. Proceeds will be donated to the Friends and Family of Eddie Aleman's Relay for Life Team.

FYI: (219) 764-3167 or (219) 762-0494

RUMMAGE FOR RELAY | Portage

A rummage/craft sale to benefit the Chris' Family and Friends Relay for Life team will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 17 at Portage American Legion Post 260, 5675 Mulberry Ave. Items for sale will include furniture, household items, clothing, crafts and baked goods. Also available will be a hot dog lunch, nachos and desserts throughout the day. Proceeds from this sale will go to the Portage Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. The Portage Relay for Life will be held June 6 and 7 at Willowcreek Middle School, 5962 Central Ave.

FYI: Send an e-mail to crose@portage-in.com or call (219) 764-5727 or (219) 759-4653.

RELAY EVENTS | Portage

Team Camp-Land is sponsoring several events to raise money for the Portage Relay for Life to be held June 6 and 7 at Willowcreek Middle School, 5962 Central Ave. The money will go to the American Cancer Society.

Events include a Punch Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 at Holiday Inn Express, 2323 Willowcreek Road. The event will feature refreshments and a silent auction of items ranging from restaurant gift certificates to baseball tickets.

On June 1, the team is sponsoring a trip to a Gary SouthShore RailCats game. The team hopes to sell 500 tickets to the game. If the team sells 500 tickets, one ticket holder will win a raffle for a suite. One of the people in the group will throw out the first pitch of the game, and four youngsters will be chosen to participate in inning intermission activities. Tickets are $10 per person. There will be a specially designed T-shirt signed by RailCats team members to be raffled during the event.

Team Camp-Land is developing a Relay for Life calendar that will feature all upcoming relay dates and tell the stories of local survivors.

To make a donation to the team, visit the Web site at www.relayforlife.com.

FYI: Call Debby Carpenter at (219) 787-1040, ext. 129, or by e-mail at jgcarpenter@comcast.net or call Denise Carpenter at (219) 331-5796 or by e-mail at carpenter.denise@gmail.com.

HOSPICE GALA | Hobart

The Friends of Hospice, the fundraising auxiliary for Hospice of the Calumet Area, will host its Seeds of Hope gala May 21 at Avalon Manor on U.S. 30. The annual event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction featuring a wide variety of items donated by local individuals and merchants, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. The 2008 honoree is Ruthellyn Bobak of Munster, a 19-year member of Hospice of the Calumet Area's Board of Directors. Tickets cost $75 per person and may be bought by calling Chris Dow at (219) 922-2732. Proceeds benefit Hospice of the Calumet Area, a 27 year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life through compassionate care for individuals and families facing an end-of-life illness.

FYI: Call (219) 922-2732.

CANCER SUPPORT | Munster

The Cancer Resource Centre offers free education programs and support groups for those with a cancer diagnosis and their families. It's at 900 Ridge Road, Suite J. Yoga meets from 10 to 11 a.m. May 12 and 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. May 14. After Care breast cancer support group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 12. It's for women who have completed their breast cancer treatment. Wellness Support Group meets 10 to 11:30 a.m. May 13. It's led by a professional. Reiki is offered 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 14. It aids the body in releasing stress and tension by creating deep relaxation and inner balance. Chi Gong meets 10 to 11 a.m., and Tai Chi meets from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

FYI: Call (219) 836-3349.

DONATIONS, VOLUNTEERS | Valparaiso

The Open Door Social Club is seeking donations of nonperishable food items, cleaning products, household and personal items, or money. The club, housed in the Margaret Stevens House, 402 E. Indiana Ave., is a program of Mental Health America of Porter County. Pantry items will be distributed to adults with mental illness who are living in the community. Volunteers also are needed for the Open Door Social Club. The group is looking for outgoing, encouraging and caring adults or groups to volunteer a few hours each month. The club offers activities and outings for adults with mental illness. The club meets from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Margaret Stevens House.

FYI: Call Trudi Gallagher, program director, at (219) 462-6267 or send an e-mail to mentalhealthpc@verizon.net.

BOWLING BENEFIT | Dyer

A bowling fundraiser for the Avon Walk for breast Cancer is set for 10 p.m. to midnight May 16 at Stardust Bowl III, 1330 Sheffield Ave. The donation is $30 per person and may be paid at the door. The fee includes candlelight bowling, a ticket for a drink, shoes and music. A silent auction and 50-50 raffle also are planned.

FYI: Call (219) 365-5796.

INDY 500 FINALS | Indianapolis

Indianapolis 500 race fans are invited to view the qualifying round May 17 at the Speedway. Blue Knights of Northwest Indiana are selling a limited number of tickets for $125. Tickets include sky box, food, drinks and shareable Gasoline Alley passes. Tickets will be shipped overnight.

FYI: Call (219) 545-2058 or (219) 746-0276.

HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS | Northwest Indiana

Unity Hospice of Northwest Indiana LLC, 7863 Broadway, Suite 240B, Merrillville, is looking for compassionate, caring and dedicated people to serve as volunteers to help with patients and in its office. Visit the Web site at www.unityhospice.com.

FYI: Call (219) 769-8648.

PORKER RUN | Lake County

Lake County ABATE hosts its annual Porker Run May 10, which includes stops at several locations around Lake County. Registration is from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lake County Convention Center and Visitors Bureau at Kennedy Avenue and Interstate 80/94 in Hammond. Cost is $10 per person. There will be a skills test at each stop, and food and drinks will be available at the last stop. Prizes will be awarded for first to third place in the skills test.

FYI: Call (219) 313-8806.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS | Valparaiso

May is national mental health awareness month. Become an ambassador for mental health by joining Mental Health America of Porter County, 402 E. Indiana Ave.

FYI: Call (219) 462-6267 or e-mail mentalhealthpc@verizon.net.

SHOP SALE | Gary

The Humane Society of Northwest Indiana is closing its resale shop, so a sidewalk sale will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 at 6100 Melton Road. Everything must go.

FYI: Call (219) 938-3339.

PREVENT CHILD ABUSE | Valparaiso

Prevent Child Abuse Porter County's council will meet at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at Porter County Administration Center, 155 Indiana Ave, Suite 309. Meeting dates are May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 13 (administration will be closed; location will be announced), Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.

FYI: Call (219) 531-9012.

ALZHEIMER'S WALK | Crown Point

Alzheimer's Services of Northern Indiana holds its annual family walk May 10 at Franciscan Community Services in Crown Point. Registration and a continental-style breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m. with the walk starting from 9:30 to 10 a.m. across the street at the Lake County Fairgrounds. All proceeds benefit local recipients of Alzheimer's Services programs in Northern Indiana. Those services include monthly dementia classes, monthly support groups, a 24-hour toll-free help line, quarterly newsletters and others. To register for the walk as a team or individual, call Kathryn Hartley at (888) 303-0180. Walkers may show up the day of the walk as well. This is a family friendly, noncompetitive walk for all ages, with entertainment and fun activities planned.

PATRIOT GUARD FUNDRAISER | Portage

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders will hold a fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 7 at the intersection of U.S. 6 and Willowcreek Road. Members will be collecting items to send to troops in Iraq. Items can be dropped off at a booth at the northwest corner of the intersection in the Kmart parking lot. They also will collect funds to be used to defray the cost of shipping the items overseas and to assist needy families of soldiers. Items such as toothbrushes; toothpaste; soap; shampoo; body wash; plastic eating utensils; moist towelettes; zipper-lock bags; snacks such as cookies, peanut butter, canned fruit, jerky and Vienna sausage; deodorant; women's personal items; small sewing kits; small toys such as coloring books, games and books; cigarettes; Levi Garrett chewing tobacco; hard candy; canned or packaged soups; microwave popcorn; and shaving materials will be collected. Anything in aerosol cans, alcohol or men's magazines will not be accepted.

FYI: Visit the Web site at www.indianapatriotguard.org or send an e-mail to Pcandiano@DTLinc.com.

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT | South Haven

The Portage Resale Shop, 404 W. U.S. 6, is seeking volunteers to serve as cashiers, to sort through donations and to help with various other jobs. Volunteers can earn "resale dollars" by volunteering a certain number of hours and by recruiting other volunteers. The shop also names a volunteer of the month. The shop's hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Portage Resale Shop is a nonprofit organization. The money generated stays within Porter County.

FYI: Call Michelle Farmer or Dawn White at (219) 764-3375.