DUBOIS – Did you ever experience a day when everything seemed almost magical when what seemed like disconnected entities were mysteriously brought together by what some call ‘coincidence’?
Angela LaBenne, a parent at DuBois Central Catholic, was experiencing one of those odd days when the same topic, the DuBois K-9 Unit, kept crossing her path, first on Facebook, in online news and then in conversations with family or friends.
While LaBenne was hearing about the DuBois K-9 Unit, Becky McTavish with the DuBois Public Library was busy planning for the Elf on the Shelf event to be held on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the library.
LaBenne, was hearing so much about the K-9 Unit she knew it was not a coincidence but a call for action. She finally had to say, “I get the message. I hear you loud and clear,” referring to her nudge from God.
She started planning a benefit for the K-9 Unit, which will feature pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a cookie sale and gift wrapping on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. All monies donated or collected will be given to the DuBois City police K-9 Unit.
An elf happened to call the library to see when its event was being held. McTavish answered the call and gave the hours. The elf and McTavish decided it would be great if DCC and the library joined forces.
According to LaBenne, “We all need to support our area, and the area needs to support the K-9 Unit. The K-9 Unit will protect our officers, assist with the drug problem here in DuBois and surrounding areas, search and rescue and the K-9 will be coming into our schools.”
The morning of Saturday, Dec. 14, people can go to DuBois Central Catholic School, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., and have their Christmas gifts wrapped for a donation.
While their gifts are being wrapped, they can purchase, for $5 per dozen, their choice of assorted mix and match cookies, which will be placed in a Christmas tin ready for giving or company.
Children will have the opportunity to make ornaments and color pictures and have a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Hot dogs, snacks and drinks will also be available for purchase.
At 12 p.m., Polar Express will be shown in the First Commonwealth Performance Art Center at DuBois Central Catholic. The cost will be $1 per person.
After families fill up on goodies at DCC, they can either watch Polar Express or go directly to the Elf on the Shelf Street Fair on Scribner Avenue with the Reitz Theater.
Pictures will be taken with Santa and one of his favorite elves. Visitors can also enjoy the Elf Scavenger Hunt, crafts and stories with Mrs. Claus at the DuBois Public Library and much more from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
To finish all of the festivities, people can stay or come back Saturday evening for grown-up holiday festivities and fun organized by the Downtown DuBois Revitalization Group.
If you have any questions about the benefit for the DuBois K-9 Unit, please call Angela LaBenne at 814-590-0005. Questions about the Elf on the Shelf at the DuBois Public Library, please call Rebecca McTavish at 814-371-5930.
