Local briefs: Beverage containers benefit program

Pena's Disposal in Cutler is teaming up with CKidz Community Center by collecting empty beverage containers to help fund the Christmas Angels program, said Pena's Disposal spokeswoman Erica Gonzalez Ribeiro.

The program will provide a hot holiday meal, a food basket to take home, a visit from Santa, a jacket and shoes and a gift to open Christmas morning.

Recyclable beverage containers can be picked up at either home or office or taken to Crossroads Community Church services held every Sunday at the Visalia Convention Center.

Recycling containers provided by Pena's Disposal also are available for businesses.

For information contact CKidz at (559) 697-KIDZ or email ckidz@visaliacrossroads.com.

Senior agency looks for Santa volunteers

Home Instead Senior Care is teaming up with nonprofit agencies and local retailers to sponsor the Be a Santa to a Senior program, said Julie Swartz, a spokeswoman for Home Instead Senior Care.

The program collects, wraps and delivers gifts to lonely and needy seniors in Fresno and Madera counties.

Walgreens stores in Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Sanger and Selma will have Christmas trees up until Dec. 20 with ornaments containing the names of seniors and their gift requests.

For more information, visit www.beasantatoasenior.com.

Delta water accord wins support

Members of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley approved language Friday stressing the importance of sending enough water through the delta to protect fish and wildlife, finding ways to reduce the state's reliance on the estuary and recognizing the authority of local governments.

In addition to the eight counties in the Valley, all five delta counties -- San Joaquin falls into both geographic groups -- have endorsed the resolution.

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Japanese-American vets to get medals

The Central California District of the Japanese American Citizens League will award replica Congressional Gold Medals to local Japanese-American World War II veterans on Feb. 19, said Dale Ikeda, the event's co-chairman.

Veterans will be honored at the 2012 Day of Remembrance Luncheon at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Building on Fourth Street, co-sponsored by the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.

The Day of Remembrance is a national observance remembering Executive Order 9066, which led to the forced internment of more than 120,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

A grant from the Nisei Farmers League is covering the cost of the medals and other expenses for the veterans.

Penner honored as top probation officer

Linda Penner, chief probation officer of Fresno County, was honored Thursday as Chief Probation Officer of the Year by the Chief Probation Officers of California.

The Chief Probation Officer of the Year award recognizes extraordinary and exemplary service to the field of probation. The award is not given every year, but is considered in years where significant leadership is exhibited.

Chief Probation Officers administer juvenile and adult probation programs for offenders sentenced to probation.

Visalia tree auction nets nearly $300k

Nearly $300,000 was raised for local charities on Dec. 2 by the 31st Visalia Chamber of Commerce Christmas Tree Auction, said Lisa Salazar, a public relations specialist for the Visalia Chamber of Commerce.

About 1,000 people attended the black-tie event at the Visalia Convention Center, Salazar said.

The Visalia Rescue Mission raised the most funds for its live auction tree, totaling $54,000. The highest-selling silent-auction item went for $1,000 and the most profitable silent tree brought in $1,100 for the Mt. Whitney High School Band and Color Guard.

Madera students ready to build house

The Madera Unified School District and Madera High School will host a groundbreaking Wednesday for a house to be built entirely by Madera High students, said district spokesman Jake Bragonier.

The groundbreaking for the Madera High School Community Housing Project will be at 308 S. J St., at 11 a.m.

The home will be built by Madera High students in the building trades and geometry and construction classes.

Marjaree Mason plans fundraiser gala

The first Marjaree Mason Center New Year's Eve Masquerade Charity Gala will be held in northeast Fresno on Dec. 31.

The gala will be at Copper River Country Club, 11500 N. Friant Road, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $150 per person and guests are asked to wear black-and-white attire.