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Some in the Southwest Roanoke County community got a different kind of Trick or Treat-or during the month of October. With the help of their Youth Director, Mary MacMichael, the youth gathered grocery bags from their congregation and placed them around town to collect food for their annual fall food drive which they call, 'Trick or Treat S.O.M.E. (so others may eat).

The youth at Covenant Presbyterian Church knows learned what it's like to reach out to the community. With the help of their Youth Director, Mary MacMichael, the youth gathered grocery bags from their congregation and placed them around town to collect food for their annual fall food drive that they call, 'Trick or Treat S.O.M.E. (so others may eat).

Each paper grocery bag was equipped with a piece of paper explaining the drive and left on doorsteps in the Southwest Roanoke community. The instructions included what they were looking for from the community, as well as dates that the bags would be picked up. According to MacMichael, the food drive has taken place for the last ten years. This year 950 bags were placed in the community.

The youth group, with help of drivers, delivered the bags into the community on Oct. 25. And on Nov. 1 the bags were picked up. The preschool also helped collect the items.

"We hit the same streets every year from Deyerle Road to Route 419, to Mudlick, Lewis Gale Hospital, Windsor Hills...we don't ring the door bell, we just leave the bag and cover sheet and it tells them when we are going to come back the next week and pick up whatever they want to give," MacMichael said. "Some people give a little, some give none, and some people give a lot."

On Nov. 1, the youth sets out to pick up the items and the food gathered from the congregation is picked up. After it is picked up, the items are taken to the Presbyterian Community Center (PCC) located at 1228 Jamison Avenue where they are sorted on shelves and priced.

"It was raining the day we went to pick up the items and I thought we weren't going to get anything. I had to keep telling myself God will provide," MacMichael said. "I like to take all the youth over to the PCC to see the empty shelves and then as the day goes on, the pantry fills up, so they can see the fruit of their labors."

MacMichael and the youth were shocked to learn that this year they raised more than they ever have. They collected enough food, priced at $5,379.83.

"I thought it was going to be less because of the economy, but this is the most we've ever collected and I wonder if it was that people realized that people did have something they could give."

The PCC will use this food to give away to families in need at no cost. MacMichael said that there are guidelines as to who gets the food and how much they get which depends on the size of their family and their financial situation.

"It's an emergency aid relief for people in need," she said. "We also offer an after school tutoring program there, trying to break the cycle of poverty by educating."

It took about 85 people to accomplish what Covenant Presbyterian Church did.

MacMichael says that the youth learn from this project.

"I think they are realizing that they are very capable of making a difference. They are very capable of promoting the need that is out there and promoting the PCC and the youth group as a group that is going to do for others. I think they realize that there are people who need their help. It is important for us to put ourselves in positions where we do see the need," MacMichael said.

"I think that the kids get a feeling that they have really helped the center becuse it would take forever to get that food sorted and priced and on the shelves, but we get it done in one afternoon. They are helping and the volunteers at the PCC are grateful for their assistance."

And most importnat MacMichael wants to thank the community for donating to their annual food drive.

"I was to thank the community because without the help from our congregation and their help we would never raise this much and for their dedication for allowing us to distribute bags to their neighborhoods."

Mill Mountain Theatre has announced the complete cast of "Annie Jr.," a production of the beloved musical with the familiar roles filled by 35 students, ranging ages 6 to 18, from schools all over the Roanoke and New River valleys. The play will be performed Dec. 10-13 and Dec. 17-20 on the Trinkle Main Stage in Center in the Square. Tickets $10-$12.

Cast members from Southwest Roanoke County are: Meredith Green (Faith Christian), Nicole Chaney (North Cross), Julia Peltier (Hidden Valley High School), Shannon Poffenberger (Hidden Valley High School), Jonathan Stoots (Hidden Valley High School), Katelyn Coker (Hidden Valley High School), Anna Allen (Cave Spring High School), Meredith Hartsel (Hidden Valley High School), Tyler Bailey (North Cross), Nate Wulff (Hidden Valley High School).

Arts writer Mike Allen has more details, and the full cast list, on his Arts & Extras blog.

Children at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church and Pre-School have a newly renovated nursery room this fall thanks to Girl Scout Alisa Patton of Roanoke.  In completing this project, Alisa has earned the Gold Award, the highest achievement given by Girl Scouts of the USA.  A member of Girl Scout Troop 192 of Trefoil service unit, Alisa received her award from Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council.

Achieving the Gold Award takes true commitment and dedication.  The Girl Scout Gold Award is earned by fulfilling requirements that recognize a Senior Girl Scout’s commitment to excellence as she develops leadership skills and personal values to meet present and future challenges in her life.  To earn the Gold Award, Alisa had to prove her leadership abilities by designing and carrying out a plan of activities that included community service, career exploration, and specialized interest projects.  She had to meet the requirements for 65 hours of volunteer community service.

The nursery received new paint, new shelving, new toys, new carpet, and new organization thanks to Alisa’s renovation of the space over the summer.  To fund her project, she held a bake sale at the church and secured donations from Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sherwin Williams, Fashion Floors and Blue Ridge Coverings.

Alisa, with help from friends, began the renovation by giving the nursery and its bathroom and furniture a new coat of paint.  The chalkboard wall was painted and “bathroom” letters were hung on the bathroom door.

With the help of church members, Alisa moved a bulletin board to another wall and hung a jungle mural in its place.  She then used some of the money she raised from the bake sale to purchase new blocks and a new kitchen play set for the children, supplies to make curtains for a play set, and a shelving unit to separate the play area from the kitchen area.

A thorough cleaning, new carpet and chairs, and a refurbished corner cabinet Alisa found in the church’s storage completed the renovation.

Alisa, 17, a twelfth grader at Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke, is the daughter of Donna and Larry Patton of Roanoke.  Her troop leader is MaryAnn Peltier of Roanoke.  Her advisor for the project was Martha Poindexter of Roanoke.

Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council is a leadership program for girls that develops life skills in business, science, and technology; provides adventures and challenges in sports, the environment, and the great outdoors; and encourages girls to give back to their communities through service projects conducted locally, across the United States, and internationally.

Submitted by Cyndi Young-Preston

Botetourt parent Rebecca Evans graciously shares these photos from the Cave Spring - Lord Botetourt volleyball game in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday, which, of course, Cave Spring won.

You can view her photos in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

Do you have photos involving teams or players from Southwest Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@swo-co.com.

Cave Spring volleyball defeated Lord Botetourt in the state quarterfinals Tuesday night and now advances to the state semi-finals in Richmond on Friday.

Kyle Green of The Roanoke Times has these photos of the game, which you can view in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

Do you have photos involving teams or players from Southwest Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@swo-co.com.

Here are some photos from Sandy Gotschal of the Cave Spring XC meet last weekend. Gotschal said "Cody Seymour (10) finished 6th in the Men's race to finish as the state's number 1 ranked sophomore in the state of Virginia, according to Coach Maguire. The Men's team finished 12th and the Women's 8th."

Thanks, Sandy!

Colonial Presbyterian Church hosted their Annual Kirkin O' the Tartan service on November 15. The event is sponsored by the Scottish Foundation of the Virginia Highlands and the Virginia Highlands Pipes & Drums participated. The congregation was treated to a short concert and a tea and shortbread reception after the service.

Submitted by Melissa Williams.

Boy Scout Troop 236 participated in the parade to celebrate Oak Grove Elementary School's 50th Anniversary.

Submitted by Melissa Williams.

The Youth Group at Colonial Presbyterian Church sponsored a Reverse Trick or Treating program the afternoon of October 31st. Groups went door to door giving out candy and information about their church and praying with their neighbors.

Submitted by Melissa Williams.

Do you have news or photos from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.

The Colonial Kids youth group at Colonial Presbyterian Church recently hiked the trails at Happy Hollows Gardens off Mt Chestnut Road. Here they are pictured at the base of one of the largest oak trees in the region.

Submitted by Melissa Williams.

Do you have news or photos from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.