Spindle items
JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor

• A TIME TO SHINE - Are you in it to win it? The 2007 Village of Williamsville Holiday Lighting Contest Committee will be judging exterior-lit residential homes located within the Village of Williamsville. Entries must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17. The entry form must include your name, address and contact information, such as phone number and e-mail. To enter, send an e-mail to aaron.stanley@chubbrealestate. com, fax to 631-8306, or by mail or in person to 5528 Main St., Williamsville. Winners will be awarded more than $400 in cash and prizes, with first place winning $200. The awards presentation will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20 at 5528 Main St.

Call 631-8300 for more information or visit www.chubbrealestate.com to view the list of entries.

• SANTA TO A SENIOR - Home Instead Senior Care in Williamsville is sponsoring a special holiday campaign designed to brighten the lives of hundreds of local seniors. Home Instead Senior Care has teamed up with community organizations, retailers and volunteers to collect, wrap and donate gifts to needy or lonely seniors in Buffalo through Be a Santa to a Senior.

"We see older adults who have no one during this festive season, and that makes for a very sad and lonely time," said Eric and Lisa Wiedemann, owners of the Home Instead Senior Care. "It's important to reach out to isolated older adults during this special time of the year." Through Dec. 14, participating nonprofit organizations will identify needy seniors in the community and provide those names to Home Instead Senior Care. The Christmas tree in HSBC Bank at Sheridan Plaza, 1690 Sheridan Drive, Kenmore, will feature ornaments with the first names of the needy seniors and their respective gift requests.

Holiday shoppers can pick up an ornament, buy items on the list and return them, unwrapped, to the bank branch, along with the senior ornament attached. Volunteers collect, wrap and distribute the gifts. A citywide gift-wrapping day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 15 at Cardinal O'Hara High School.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help with the citywide gift-wrapping day, contact Eric and Lisa Wiedemann at 630-0657. Businesses are encouraged to contact the local Home Instead Senior Care office about adopting groups of seniors.

• SHOPPING FOR A CAUSE - On Saturday, Dec. 8, the cash registers at the Buffalo City Mission's two thrift stores will be ringing up the bargains, just in time for holiday shoppers. For one day only, the Buffalo City Mission will host its second "Customer Appreciation Sale," providing up to 30 percent savings on all in-store items, including clothing, furniture, household items, toys and more. The event is free. Customers can take advantage of these great deals from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mission Thrift Stores at 510 Dick Road, Depew, and 2303 Union Road, West Seneca. The Union Road location also will display used cars from Mission Motors, which can be purchased.

Proceeds from Thrift Store sales will help the Buffalo City Mission to feed and care for men, women and children in Western New York who seek food, shelter and help. For more information, visit www.buffalocitymission.org or call 854-8181. Let your holiday spending help others who are in need.