AFY fundraiser aims to help at-risk youth

Adult Friends for Youth will host its 25th annual fundraiser on Friday at the Sheraton Waikiki.

The festivities begin at 4 p.m. and include a live and silent auction, dinner and wine, door prizes and a Frank De Lima show.

Black-tie attire is optional.

Individual tickets cost $250; tables range from $2,500 to $3,500. Proceeds benefit AFY programs.

The agency has been serving at-risk youths in an effort to reduce substance abuse, gangs and family dysfunction and provide opportunities for young people to become productive citizens.

For reservations, call 833-8775.

Buy a grocery bag, help feed the needy

Kraft Foods is partnering with Safeway and Feeding America to provide meals to local food banks.

Through Dec. 24, a $10 donation will buy a specially designed grocery bag containing Safeway and Kraft food products, including such item as crackers, tuna, canned vegetables, spaghetti, long-grain rice, stuffing, cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese and other commonly requested items.

Last year, Hawaii residents helped provide nearly 9 million meals to 183,500 people statewide through the program.

Your pic could win a digital camera

In the 16th year of its annual amateur photo contest, Canon USA has turned to the most photogenic state in the U.S. — that is, us.

“Snapshots of Hawaii” runs from Dec. 1 to Feb. 29. Amateur photographers sending in pictures of Hawaii may win a first-place prize of an EOS Rebel T2i Digital Camera, worth about $1,200.

The second-place winner will score a PowerShot G12, worth about $600, and third place gets a PowerShot A2200, about $240. But that’s not all — 22 honorable mentions will be framed and displayed at Canon’s Honolulu photo gallery.

Entries must be sent by mail or walked in to Canon USA’s Honolulu office by closing time Feb. 29. They must be in print form, no larger than 5 by 8 inches; put your name and address on the back.

Entry forms and information are available from Canon USA, or download at www.mediaetc.net or www.nikkansan.net.

The address for Canon USA is 210 Ward Ave, Suite 200, Honolulu HI 96814.

Keiki can create ornament, win cash

Kids, help us trim our pages with the holiday spirit. It’s time for our annual Keiki Kalikimaka drawing contest.

Design an ornament and you’ll have a chance at our prizes of $100, $75 and $25 cash.

We’ll select a daily finalist, to be printed on Page 1 of the features section, beginning Friday.

On Christmas Eve we’ll run all 29 finalists and announce the randomly chosen winners.

The contest is open to kids up to age 12. All entries must be between 5 and 8 inches wide. No 3-D entries (don’t glue on any objects).

We must receive your drawing in the mail — no faxes or emails. Ornaments cannot be returned.

Attach the entry form here. The last day to enter is Dec. 9.