McClaugherty Raffle

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Ticket holders could win $10,000 or other cash awards and prizes in the McClaugherty Raffle to benefit the Clay Center and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

"The raffle is a great opportunity to help provide educational and cultural opportunities for thousands of kids all across the state by simply buying a ticket," said Sarah Brown, raffle co-chairwoman.

Prizes will be awarded at a drawing party for ticket holders from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 5 in the Clay Center grand lobby. The party will include free drinks and hors d'oeuvres.

Tickets are on sale now for $100 each, and only 1,000 tickets are available. Ticket holders do not have to be present at the drawing to win. To purchase a ticket, call 304-561-3521.

In addition to the grand prize, cash prizes of $2,000, $1,000 and three $500 prizes will be awarded.

Other prizes include season tickets to the WVSO, Clay Center Presents series and tickets to the symphony gala and to the annual Carnaval fundraiser. Stays at Snowshoe Mountain Resort and Café Cimino will be won, as will gift certificates to Pies & Pints, Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream, Josh Nibert Photography, Geraniums, Petit Jewelry, Young Floral and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Climb the steps

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Teams and individuals will climb up and down stairs March 23 in a fundraising competition for the American Lung Association in West Virginia.

Participants in the Huntington Fight For Air Climb are asked to raise $100 to climb and $25 to register. The event takes place from 8 a.m. to noon at Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards Stadium, 2001 Third Ave.

"Whether climbing for a winning time or simply to cross the finish line in honor of someone with lung disease, this event is a great physical challenge," says Chaste Barclay, development manager for ALA in West Virginia. "Finishers will have a newfound respect for healthy lungs!"

All proceeds support the Lung Association's fight for lung health. A health fair and kids' fun zone will also be held.

Parking is available in the west lot of the stadium, which drivers can only access through 20th Street.

To register, contact Chaste Barclay at 304-342-6600 or at cbarc...@lunginfo.org, or visit www.lunginfo.org/huntingtonclimb.

Manna Meal Ice Bowl

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The fourth annual Kanawha Valley Ice Bowl disc golf tournament will begin with an 8 a.m. check-in Feb. 9 at Little Creek Park in South Charleston.

Nonperishable food items will be collected at the event for Manna Meal Inc., and 75 percent of the entrance fee will be donated to the Charleston soup kitchen. Food items needed are macaroni and cheese, canned soup, canned meats and canned fruits.

Entrance fee is $20. The first round is singles; the second round is seeded doubles. Lunch is included and will be served between the first and second rounds.

To register online, visit http://dgscene.com/KVIceBowl2013, or call Jim or Natalie Zellers at 304-744-6073.

Beginners and casual players are welcome. Divisions include open, women and recreational; prizes will be awarded in each division.

Singing valentines

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Members of the ThunderTones Barbershop Chorus will again form quartets and fan out across the Tri-State to deliver "Singing Valentines" Feb. 13-15.

The quartet will deliver a card and sing two romantic songs at a residence, workplace or restaurant. The price is $50.

The singing valentines raise funds to support local music education programs and to preserve and promote barbershop harmony. To order a singing valentine, call 304-302-6683.

Huntington's disease

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Huntington's disease support group meets on the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Saint Francis Hospital. The next meeting is Feb. 9.

Meetings are for patients, families, caregivers, those at risk or anyone affected by Huntington's disease. For more information, contact Debbie Armstrong at deb...@suddnlink.net or 304-549-3266.

Housing dinner

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Affordable Housing Hall of Fame annual dinner will take place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 2 at Charleston Marriott Town Center.

Virginia Lewis will be honored at the dinner, which includes a reception, guest speakers and entertainment by Bob Thompson.

Cost is $75. Contact Lynn Corrie at 304-720-7636 or at lcor...@habitatwv.org.

Hunger essay contest

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Olive Garden restaurants is sponsoring an essay contest for students from the first through 12th grades. Students are asked to convey their ideas for ending hunger in their communities.

The essays of 50 to 250 words are due by March 22.

The grand prize is a three-day family trip to New York City, dinner at the Olive Garden in Times Square, and a $2,500 savings bond. In addition, Olive Garden will provide a $5,000 grant to support hunger initiatives in the winner's community. Winners in each of the 12 grade categories will get a $500 savings bond and a family dinner at their local Olive Garden restaurant.

Entry forms and complete rules are available at www.olivegarden.com/About-Us/News-and-Media/Pasta-Tales/. Entries must include the writer's first and last name, complete address, phone number with area code, grade, date of birth including year and a statement that the work is the student's own. Entries must be postmarked by March 22 and sent to Pasta Tales, PMB 2000, 6278 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308-1916.

The deadline for submissions to Help Out is noon Wednesday for the following Sunday. If you would like a response from the public, please provide the name and telephone number of a person who can be listed in the newspaper. Send information via email to ea...@wvgazette.com, by fax to 304-348-1233, or by regular mail to Help Out, The Charleston Gazette, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301.