Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call 703-917-6454.
The Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, will be open for absentee voting Mondays-Fridays, Oct. 20-24 and Oct. 27-31, from 5-8 p.m.; Saturdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Volunteer Loudoun is hosting Make a Difference Day, Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at 22714 Glenn Drive, Suite 100, Sterling. The community is asked to donate food and household items to Loudoun Interfaith Relief to provide help those in need. Register to volunteer to collect or deliver food by visiting www.loudoun.gov/volunteer or call Lisa Rose at 703-737-8424 or pivs@loudoun.gov.
State Farm Insurance is holding a food drive in October for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network in honor of National Hunger Action Month. Drop off nonperishable food items at any local State Farm office during regular business hours or donate food online by visiting www.brafb.org and clicking on the State Farm logo to participate.
The Loudoun County Holiday Coalition's "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" program is seeking donations. The program provides a food basket in November and gifts, clothing and if resources permit, a food gift card in December for the disabled, the elderly and families who are financially eligible. Of critical need are food store gift cards in $10 increments and cash contributions. New clothing is always needed for people of all ages, as are personal care and household care items and new toys.
Contributions can be made to the County of Loudoun and sent to the Holiday Coalition at 102 Heritage Way, N.E., Suite 103, Leesburg, VA 20176. Donations can be dropped off at various collection sites across the county. Information about how to donate, where to drop off collections, how to volunteer or apply for assistance is available on the county Web site at www.loudoun.gov/holidaycoalition. To volunteer, e-mail to holidayvolunteers@loudoun.gov. Questions about the program may be directed to Kara Earl at the Holiday Hotline, 703-737-8367.