Antioch

carwash raises funds for boy: Pinky's Klassy Kar Wash will host a fundraiser Wednesday for the family of Aaron Tanner, a 4-year-old Brentwood boy awaiting a new heart and kidney.

The business will donate 15 percent of its proceeds that day to the Aaron Tanner Foundation.

The carwash is at 300 E. 18th St.

For more information, go to www.saveabrokenheart.com.

— Rowena Coetsee

Antioch

gym collects food for needy: In November, the Antioch Curves gym will collect nonperishable food and turkeys to donate to underprivileged Antioch families for their holiday meals.

During its Give a Gobble event, the gym will waive the initial service fee for new members who bring in a bag of nonperishable food through Nov. 21. Curves also will waive the initial service fee for new members who bring in a frozen turkey from Nov. 19 to Nov. 23.

Curves is at 3132 Contra Loma Blvd. For more information, call Sue Espy at 925-777-9787 or e-mail info@CurvesInAntioch.com.

— Hilary Costa

East County

WRAP IT UP: Emma Fister wants to bring a little warmth to those

in need, but she'll need your help. A senior and honors student at Oakley's Freedom High School, Emma has spearheaded Quilts of Kindness with hopes of gathering enough donated blankets to share with HOPE, a homeless outreach project through the Contra Health Services Department.

The 17-year-old wants to "bring back generosity even at a time when things are tight for everyone. I want to get a lot of blankets. ... I feel good about paying it forward."

Interested folks can drop off their gently used (and freshly laundered, thank you) blankets at several locations: INTERO Real Estate, 5541 Lone Tree Way, Suite 150, Brentwood; Freedom High (athletic director's office), 1050 Neroly Road, Oakley; and Belshaw Elementary, 2801 Roosevelt Lane, Antioch. There also will be a drop-off area during tonight's football game at Freedom.

For more information, call 925-765-5701 or e-mail thelistinglady@earthlink.net

— Trine Gallegos

PITTSBURG

GOING TO THE HOOP FOR Youth: Two Pittsburg High School graduates are partnering with the school to hold an alumni basketball game to raise money for a scholarship and bring a positive influence to local youngsters.

The first Ballin' for a Purpose game will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the gymnasium at Pittsburg High School, 250 School St. Tickets are $10, and kids 10 and younger are free.

All proceeds will go toward a scholarship for two Pittsburg High students pursuing a higher education, said Trimaine Davis, one of the event's organizers along with Hervey Malone. The scholarship is named for Greg Ashford, a Pittsburg High senior in 2001 who drowned during a senior class trip at Lake Berryessa.

The fundraiser will continue throughout the season.

For more information, call Davis at 619-436-9124 or e-mail him at trimainedavis@gmail.com.

— Paul Burgarino

BETHEL ISLAND

BETTING ON BIG BUCKS: Residents can buy tickets for the Bethel Island Chamber of Commerce's 12th annual "Pot of Gold" dinner Dec. 13 — along with a drawing for up to $10,000.

The event starts at 6 p.m. at Scout Hall, 3090 Ranch Lane, Bethel Island.

Tickets are $100 each, and the chamber will sell up to 200.

At the event, ticket stubs will go into a pot and then be drawn one at a time. As many as eight people each will win $200.

When only 10 stubs remain, those ticket holders can choose to auction off their chance at the 100 Benjamins. The last two individuals will decide whether to share the $10,000 or have the winner take all.

For more information, call 925-684-3220.

— Rowena Coetsee