Lowell event to raise funds for handicap van

LOWELL -- Ciara Rosario was born with Spina Bifida. She is paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair. She is in desperate need of a handicap van to take her to appointments in Boston and to be able to go on outings in the community.

A fundraising goal of $48,000 has been set to purchase a handicap van with a 10-year warranty from Ride-Away located in Londonderry, N.H.

Diamond and Pearl Affairs will host a fundraiser at the East End Club in Lowell on Friday, March 16, 6 to 11 p.m. Cost is $15 per person/children under 10 free.

Contributions can be sent to Jeanne D'arc Credit Union, c/o Handicap-Van Fundraiser for Ciara Rosario, P.O. Box 1238, Lowell, MA 01853; call 978-398-3247 or stop by any Jeanne D'arc Credit Union or via online at http://chipin.com/contribute/id/103154c8181bbdef

For information, contact JennieDee.Pearl@gmail.com, or call 978-606-8095. Follow us on Facebook: www.diamondandpearlaffairs.com

Tewksbury school computer lab gets makeover

TEWKSBURY -- The computer lab at the Loella F. Dewing Elementary School recently got a facelift thanks to help from parent and community volunteers.

Principal Paul Galello and parent Sarah Cohen led a team of volunteers for an entire weekend, moving equipment, priming and painting walls, and making way for updated

computers, screens and keyboards. The room was badly in need of brightening, including covering very dark paneling.

Supplies were donated by Tewksbury Hardware and Mike Baker of M.F. Baker and Sons Remodeling. The upgraded lab is being donated by the Dewing Parent Advisory Council (PAC) and was to be installed during school vacation week.

Try to be a lucky duck at Chelmsford Radisson

CHELMSFORD -- The Chelmsford Rotary Club is presenting an art auction and "Lucky Duck Race" at the Radisson Hotel and Suites ! on Thurs day March 29. Proceeds will support charities including the CHSAA Scholarship Fund, the Town of Chelmsford Scholarship Fund, Red Cross Blood Drives, dinners for senior citizens, the "Student of the Month" program, assistance for military personnel etc.

The art auction is being presented by Marlin Art of New York. Art will be available for preview at 6:30 p.m. The auction will start at 7:30 p.m. and will feature a wide variety of media at various price ranges. Tickets are $25 per person and are available from Dennis Mujllen at 978-254-9369 or dcm1952@comcast.net; Patrick Kimera, 978-935-3669 or patrick.k@kppsolutions.com; or any club member.

The "Lucky Duck Race" will take place in the pool area at the Radisson at 9 p.m. A "Lonely Duck" is $5 and a "Quack Pack" of 5 is $20. Prizes are: 1st - $500, 2nd - $250, and 3rd - 7th - $100. You do not have to be present to win. The ducks will be released into the pool and the winners will be fished out. Tickets are available from club members, at Enterprise Bank on Littleton Road, or at the Chelmsford Copy Center at 13 Alpine Lane.

Women of Today hold Spare the Violence Bowl-a-thon

LOWELL -- The Chelmford Women of Today will hold an afternoon of competition, prizes and raffles, including a team-signed Boston Bruins jersey, at the "Spare the Violence" bowl-a-thon on Sunday, March 25, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Brunswick Bowling Lanes. The event will benefit Alternative House and local domestic violence programming.

A required pre-registration of $65 per team of 5 bowlers, which covers three games and shoes, is due by Saturday, March 17. A minimum sponsorship of $50/bowler or $250/team will be collected at event.For info, registration and sponsorship forms, contact Kathy at 978-256-8592 or cobch@mawt.org; or Candy at 978-256-6466.

To purchase raffle tickets only for the Bruins jersey, which includes a certifi! cate of authenticity, contact Melanie at 978-256-0708 or email presch@mawt.org. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.

Visit www.cwotma.org.

Take a gamble at Auditorium to end homelessness

LOWELL -- Put the winter doldrums behind you, have some riverboat fun and help people facing homelessness. Community Teamwork Inc. will host Night Aboard the Mighty Merrimack Riverboat Queen, presented by Enterprise Bank and the Merrimack Valley Regional Network to End Homelessness, on Thursday, April 19, 6 to 10 p.m., at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.

Tickets are $50 per person and provide you entry into a variety of casino games with $1,000 of play money, a floor show starring the dazzling Mirage female impersonators, fortune tellers, 50/50 raffle, silent and super silent auctions, prizes, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Each ticket holder is entered into a drawing at the end of the evening for a chance to win a very special door prize.

For tickets, information and sponsorship, call 978-459-0551. All proceeds benefit families and individuals living in Greater Lowell and the Merrimack Valley who are facing homelessness.

Email your items to sdion@lowellsun.com with "Helping Hands" in the subject field. Or mail them to: The Sun, 491 Dutton St., Lowell, MA 01854, ATTN: Helping Hands.

Please include a contact number in case we have questions.