Looking for a fun way to support a great cause? This weekend St. Louis Blues alumni will face off against the Lindenwood University men's hockey team at the Lindenwood Ice Arena in Wentzville. The event is slated for 1:30 p.m. Sunday and will benefit the Disabled Athletes Sports Association (DASA). According to Missouri Sports Magazine, Blues alumni expected to participate include Scott Mellanby, Bruce Affleck, Mike Zuke, Reed Low, Rob Hess, Larry Patey, Terry Yake, Dwight Schofield, Yan Stastny, Jamie Rivers, John Wensick and Kelly Chase.  This is an annual event. To read Patch's coverage of…

This holiday season I encourage you to join me in giving the gift of college savings to a child in your life by opening or contributing to a MOST—Missouri's 529 College Savings Plan account. Each year around this time, I like to remind folks this is a great tool for gift giving – gifts not always requested, but definitely needed. Starting a MOST 529 account is easy and doing so and contributing to it by the end of year qualifies you for a 2011 Missouri tax deduction.* You can open an account in about 10 minutes with as little as $25, and can continue to contribute $25 or more on a regular …

Miracles happen every day when Shoeman Water Projects turn donated shoes into clean drinking water for those who thirst in developing countries. But with less than one month to collect the final 255,639 pairs of shoes to meet the Fenton-based organization’s goal of 1 million pairs in 2011, George “the Shoeman” Hutchings, president of Shoeman Water Projects, may need a double dose of holiday magic. The Shoeman is searching in every corner of the St. Louis metro area and beyond to bring in enough shoes by the end of 2011 to purchase a new, stronger rig that can drill through granite and bore …

A St. Charles County group is asking for help to make the Christmas wishes of underpriviledged Native American children come true. Friends of Lakota Youth is part of a nationwide effort to bring Christmas to the Lakota children on the Cheyenne River Reservation in Eagle Butte, S.D. Those interested in helping can adopt a child to grant a specific wish or donate extra items that may be needed. Items sought include: Dairy Queen gift certificates (DQ is the only restaurant nearby) New or gently used books New or gently used children's coats Learning toys Personal care items Prom dresses Used …

On this Veterans Day weekend, Patch wanted to highlight the humanitarian work of the military, specifically the work of the U.S. Marines. The Toys for Tots campaign is organized by local Marines and provides toys to children that may not have a Christmas holiday. According to Toys for Tots, since 1947, the campaign has provided toys to more than 200 million needy children. In the past three years alone, the St. Louis area Toys for Tots campaign - which includes St. Charles County - has steadily increased toy collections and monetary donations each year by eight to nine percent. In 2010, toys …

The holiday season isn't quite here yet, but local charities are gearing up for the season of giving. The Salvation Army is gearing up for its Tree of Lights Red Kettle campaign. Bell ringers are needed throughout St. Charles County. Some locations opened their bell ringing campaigns today; most begin between Nov. 19-25. There are two Salvation Army Corps in St. Charles County. The O'Fallon Corps covers Dardenne Prairie, Lake Saint Louis, O'Fallon and Wentzville. The St. Charles Corps includes Cottleville, St. Charles and St. Peters. Bell ringers are needed at several locations around the …

The mayors of 11 St. Charles County municipalities, including Wentzville, Lake Saint Louis, St. Peters, St. Charles and O'Fallon, have started planning for the 2012 Mayors' Charity Ball. The Ball will be held at the St. Charles Convention Center on Saturday, March 10, 2012. Music will be by the Motown Revue. Although the ball may be months away, work has already begun to secure sponsors for the ball, and to obtain applications from local not-for-profit organizations that would benefit from the funds this annual event generates. This is the 17th year for the Charity Ball, and the eighth year …

The United Way of Greater St. Louis is seeking $71 million to fund programs throughout the area in 2012. The United Way's 2011 fundraising drive kicked off in September and runs through early November. “Not since the Great Depression have so many people felt the degree of need, desperation and fear as they do now,” said Danny Ludeman, CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors and 2011 United Way campaign chair. “The weak economy and persistent unemployment are increasing the need for more and human services for more people. Unfortunately, this is occurring just as the agencies that provide those vital …

There's a great recurring theme around St. Charles County. People are always willing to pitch in and help. When a need arises, some how people pull together and get it done. There are many reasons for this. St. Charles County is home to many wonderful non-profit and charitable organizations. The county also has a wealth of talented and caring volunteers. Patch believes in pitching in. As a company, we look for opportunities to "Give 5" and participate in volunteer activities around our communities. To that end, Lake Saint Louis Patch and Wentzville Patch editors recently learned how to be …