Every winter the Leeds Civic Association organizes a pizza party and raffle to cheer up the neighborhood and benefit the Civic Association. One way you can help with this event is by doing a winter cleaning before or after Christmas and donating any new or almost-new items to the raffle. If you find something someone else in the neighborhood might love or you receive a gift that you cannot use, you can donate it to the Leeds Civic Association! If you knit, sew, or otherwise create items, those items are welcome, too. If you’re a local business, please consider donating a gift certificate to the cause. The LCA crew of post-Christmas elves will artfully arrange items into themed baskets, and those attending the pizza party will purchase raffle tickets in hopes of winning one of the many prizes on display. Recycling gifts you don’t need not only diverts items from the waste stream, but also benefits the many projects of the Leeds Civic Association, including the Historic Bridge Preservation Project, the Mulberry Street Garden Project, the Leeds newsletter, and the many neighborhood parties that take place throughout the year. For drop-off information, please call 585-9923.