Holiday shoppers looking for something special should plan to visit the American Red Cross second annual Antique Show and Sale 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Blue Goose Reception and Event Center, Route 1, in Northport.

More than 30 quality dealers from around Maine will participate in the event, which includes breakfast and lunch concessions, and just a $5 per-person admission.

Michael Holmes, executive director of the American Red Cross in Eastern Maine, reminds readers that “this has been a very challenging year for all Americans as well as the Red Cross on both the national and chapter levels.”

From the “stock market flux” to the “negative feelings surrounding national Red Cross’ handling of the Liberty funds, our donations have been down, substantially.”

It is his fear that “if donors stop contributing to their local chapters, these units will close” and that disaster services will have to be supplied “from a different chapter farther away, increasing response times to the victims involved.”

That is just one of many good reasons to support this American Red Cross in Eastern Maine fund-raiser but perhaps the best reason is Holmes’ assurance that funds raised through the sale will benefit ARCEM local disaster-relief services.

Remembering that American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, it is individuals, businesses and communities who help support its work since the ARC receives “no funding from state or federal government, United Way campaigns or the national Red Cross,” Holmes explained.

“Each chapter is wholly responsible for raising all the funds for the emergency services we sustain,” which is why your support of the American Red Cross in Eastern Maine Antique Show and Sale is so important.

You must be present to win, but it might be worth the trip.

Artist Brenda Ferguson of Dixmont invites you to attend the ‘Tis the Season Open House Art Exhibition, 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at 298 North Road in Dixmont.

An original pastel painting, also titled “‘Tis the Season,” will be given away as a door prize at 5 p.m., but the winner must be there.

For more information or directions, call Ferguson at 257-4215, visit her Web site at www.brendaferguson.com or e-mail brenda@brendafergu-son.com.

People in the Greater Rockland area planning to, or thinking about, using luminaria to make the outside of their homes more festive on Christmas Eve can help support less fortunate families at the same time, through the “Light Up Rockland with Luminaries for Charity” program.

Roxanne Jobe, director of development for the sponsoring Rockland-Thomaston Chamber of Commerce, reports for just $5 you can purchase a luminaria kit that will make six luminarias for your home or business.

Each kit contains candles, luminaria bags and directions for their use.

All funds raised will be donated to United Mid-Coast Charities that distributes donations to more than 55 local agencies.

Luminarias will be available Sunday, Dec. 1, through Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, in Rockland at The Grasshopper Shop, Caravans, House of Cards, The Custom House and Sea Street Graphics.

Quantities are limited, and more information can be obtained by calling the Chamber of Commerce, 596-0376.

When Kristen Higgins wrote that this drive “is a bit different,” she was right. It is.

Higgins is vice president of the Orono Chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

That organization is sponsoring a charitable drive unlike most.

The first-ever “Anything Drive” will be held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. each of four days: Monday- Thursday, Dec. 2-5, in the University of Maine Memorial Union on the Orono campus.

The drive is just that, she wrote. The group “is willing to accept nearly any sort of donation, within reason.”

You can bring toys, clothing, food, money, eyeglasses, or whatever you are willing to give.

If it’s wrapping paper, that’s fine, too, because members will use it later for another charity project.

Once the items have been sorted, National Society of Collegiate Scholars members will donate them to appropriate local programs and agencies.

Money donated to the Anything Drive will benefit The Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-Family program.

Bill Bennett, vice president of operations for Oakhurst Dairy in Portland, has announced that, once again throughout the month of December, Oakhurst will donate 4 cents from every sale of its egg nog and light egg nog to The Salvation Army of Northern New England.

Proceeds from last year’s sales raised $15,000 to help fund the holiday programs of The Salvation Army, which provides food, clothing and other assistance to those in need in Maine and New Hampshire.

I’m off for a few days. The Joni Averill column returns to Page B4 on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.