SOMERSET — The Somerset County Blind Center is in the midst of its biggest fundraising event of the year – just in time for the Christmas season.
Its 12th annual holiday fruit basket sale is in full swing and orders can be placed now through Dec. 14.
“All the money from this sale goes back into Somerset County to provide services for the blind and visually impaired,” said Rob Stemple, the center’s executive director. “We service about 300 people in the county and provide transportation, low-vision aids and the education on how to use them, and mobility training.”
The baskets come in two sizes, regular for $15 and large for $20. Each wooden basket is filled with grapefruit, bananas, apples, pears and oranges from Cascio’s Fruit Market in Somerset. All baskets are gift-wrapped.
Orders will be ready for pickup Dec. 18 at the center. Limited delivery also is available.
“We have about 50 volunteers who come in on that day to build the baskets,” Stemple said. “All the fruit is fresh that morning.”
This year’s goal is to sell 1,200 baskets, and to date roughly 200 orders have been placed.
“The economy may help us because people are looking for practical gifts this holiday,” Stemple said. “People tend to wait until the last minute, so a lot of the orders come in within the last two weeks.”
Holiday help
What: Somerset County Blind Center’s 12th annual holiday fruit basket sale.
When: Baskets can be picked up between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Dec 18 at the center, 748 S. Center Ave., Somerset.
How: Orders required by Dec. 14: Call 445-1310 or toll- free (866) 876-6550. Orders also can be placed by fax at
445-3184 or e-mail at rstemple@somersetblind.org.
Local News
Somerset County Blind Center accepting orders for fruit baskets
- Local News
-
-
Highlights of Gov. Corbett's Marcellus Shale spending plan
Read on to see a bulleted list of Gov. Tom Corbett’s $27.1 billion state spending plan for the year that starts July 1.
-
Pa. gas drilling fee bill debate ends without vote
Pennsylvania, the only major gas-producing state that does not tax the taking of natural gas from its soil, moved closer Tuesday to imposing a fee on the drilling in the vast Marcellus Shale reserves that have transformed the state in recent years.
-
Blogging with heart
I've got so much stuff for this Sunday's American Heart Month package, that some of the stories will spill over onto Monday. But I don't know what to leave out, or hold for the next week, so it looks like a double hit this week.
-
$27.1B budget proposed
Gov. Tom Corbett on Tuesday proposed a budget of $27.1 billion, with no tax increases, deep cuts to higher education assistance and a range of cost-cutting in services for the poor, elderly and disabled.
-
Universities face steep cuts
State universities still trying to recover from deep cuts last year would have their public funding slashed even further under a budget plan unveiled Tuesday, leading some institutions to warn of a choice between maintaining buildings and offering academic programs students need to graduate.
-
Plan hurts middle class, local Democrats contend
While members of his own party praised Gov. Tom Corbett’s fiscal restraint, some local Democratic lawmakers said the Republican’s proposed budget panders to corporate interests while inflicting pain on the middle class.
-
Detour hurting some Portage businesses
Craig Mazzarese’s business depends heavily on drive-by customers, but since last week fewer drive-bys have been stopping
-
Local airport funding intact
Airport leaders here are breathing sighs of relief after Congress approved funding to support local commercial air service through 2015.
-
With state revenue tight, Westmont seeks school budget input
The Westmont Hilltop school board on Tuesday night held a public forum at the middle school to explain why the district, already one of the most efficient in the state, must raise taxes each year.
-
In brief: Commissioners plan to meet at schools
Cambria County’s three new commissioners, carrying out plans to take meetings into communities, have scheduled five of their meetings this year in high school auditoriums throughout the county.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
