The Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is pleased to introduce a Bench Donation Program for town-maintained parks and greenways. The initiative will allow the PRCR Department, through donor funding, to install benches in and along Town parks and greenways in areas that have been identified as appropriate and suitable. The program also offers a unique and meaningful way for area residents to honor and remember friends and loved ones, promote their company, recognize a civic group, or commemorate a special event. The average cost of each bench is $1,200-$1,800 and includes installation and a donor inscription. Donations may be tax-deductible. The PRCR Department will accept applications and payment for the first round of bench installations through Thursday, March 15. For complete details, visit wakeforestnc.gov and search “bench donation” or contact Park Superintendent Josh Glover at 919-554-6184 or jglover@wakeforestnc.gov. Please note: The PRCR Department is not responsible for replacing benches in the event they

The Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Food Lion for a Community Raffle with a top prize of $10,000 in cash and 15 other prizes. The money raised will benefit the chamber, and Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry will receive a $5,000 donation. Only 1,500 tickets – which are $50 each – will be sold. The drawing will be held May 5. You do have to be 18 or older to participate. You can purchase tickets online at https://go.rallyup.com/wfcommunityraffle or in person at the Wake Forest Chamber office at 350 South White Street or at B&W Hardware at 232 South White Street. Some chamber members also have tickets for sale. The prizes apart from the $10,000 in cash are $5,000 AAA Travel Voucher Full Set of Braces/Invisalign ($5,000 value) or $2,000 cash presented by Bumgarner & Martin Orthodontics $2,000 Triangle Town Center Gift Card $1,000 Food Lion Gift

The Wake Forest Woman’s Club will host its first annual Shamrockin’ Casino Gala on Friday, March 16, 2018 at Cross & Main in Youngsville from 7 to 11 p.m. Funds raised will go to many of the charities the club supports, including The Purple Heart Foundation, Note in the Pocket, Safe Space and Meals on Wheels. Tickets are $65 each, which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets, one raffle ticket and $5,000 play money. The $65 tickets are available now at three downtown Wake Forest locations: Parler Properties, Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce and Ollies Gifts, all on South White Street.

The 2018 Koinonia Cares Charity Auction will be held where The Koinonia Foundation began, the Wake Forest Baptist Church, on Saturday, March 24, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Formed in 1990 by the Koinonia Sunday School Class at Wake Forest Baptist to help the disadvantaged in the community, The Koinonia Foundation of Wake Forest has grown to be an interdenominational non-profit providing financial support for organizations that address human needs which are not otherwise adequately funded and periodically to individuals demonstrating a critical need. The event features a full dinner and a silent and live auction of unique items and valuable services donated by local businesses, artists and individuals. Tickets are $20 per person and only 175 will be sold. Tickets may be purchased online at www.koinoniaWF.org or at these downtown Wake Forest locations: Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 South White Street Ollies Café & Gifts, 213 South White Street

Streets, Roads, Greenways and Transportation *Stadium Drive Complete Street is listed as in the construction phase. The December update says that the town board approved the $6,789,876 contract with the Fred Smith Company in December and construction is planned to begin in March. Utilities are being moved. Assistant Town Engineer Holly E. Miller said last week, “We anticipate construction beginning in March 2018 and completion in fall 2019.” The project includes resurfacing North Avenue. There will be a roundabout at the intersection of Stadium, North Avenue and Wingate Street. A center turn lane will be added to Stadium along with turn lanes at intersections and driveways and bump-outs for buses. From Glencoe Drive to the Richland Creek bridge there will be a 10-foot multi-use path on the south and a 5-foot sidewalk on the north. From the bridge to Wingate Street there will be sidewalks on both sides. *Ligon Mill

There are still unsold tickets for the Community Raffle jointly sponsored by the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce and Food Lion. Remember, the drawing will be held May 5. A $50 ticket gives you a chance at the 15 prizes, including the grand prize of $10,000. Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry will receive $5,000. Only 1,500 tickets will be sold, giving you a 1 in 100 chance to win a prize. Tickets can be bought in person at the Wake Forest Chamber, 350 S. White Street, or at B & W Hardware Company, 232 S. White Street. You can also purchase tickets online at https://go.rallyup.com/wfcommunityraffle. * * * * Volunteers are needed for the Senior Lifestyle Expo at Richland Creek Community Church on Burlington Mill Road. Shifts are available Monday evening, March 19, and throughout the day of the expo, Tuesday, March 20. Assistance is needed with vendor unloading, traffic guidance, guest

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be open from 10 a.m. to noon (winter hours) Saturday, March 3, in Renaissance Plaza on Brooks Street. Local farmers and artisans will offer meats, seasonal vegetables, bread and baked goods and other local wares. See the market’s Facebook page for information about the vendors. *Monday Night Bingo at The Factory is hosted by the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club in the Mill Room from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Monday night. All profits support the club’s projects for children. Visit www.wakeforestbingo.com for more information. *Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry at 149 East Holding Avenue is now open from 9 to 11 a.m. every third Saturday along with its regular hours on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for food distribution. It serves about 700 families in Wake Forest, Youngsville, Rolesville and their surrounding areas. Call 919-556-7144 for information about receiving food, volunteering