Local Briefs

• Agencies help kids get 'READY' for kindergarten

United Way of Kootenai County, several community organizations and individuals are collaborating to offer free language- and literacy focused classes for parents, to prepare young children for a happy and successful school experience.

"READY! for Kindergarten," classes are available to parents of 4- and 5-year-olds.

Free child care is provided. Parents can choose from three locations to minimize travel expenses and extra time commitment:

* Mountain States Early Head Start Lakeland Center

14790 N. Kimo Ct., Rathdrum. Classes are held Fridays from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Aug. 8, 15 and 22

* Harding Center

411 N. 15th St., Coeur d'Alene. Classes are held Saturdays 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Aug. 9, 16 and 23

* Hayden Library

8385 N. Government Way, Hayden Classes are held Saturdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 16 and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 23.

READY! teaches parents how to "Play with a Purpose" which builds strong minds and relationships. Parents learn activities and receive materials to make learning at home fun and effective.

Classes are limited in size. Register by Friday to secure a spot. To register or for more information: ICARE at (208) 676-1515.

• H.E.L.P. collecting donations for fire victims

Help Every Little Paw, a Coeur d'Alene nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of all pets, is reaching out to the families of pet owners devastated by the recent fires across Washington.

H.E.L.P. will be accepting pet food, money, beds, blankets and other pet-related items for displaced families and pets. All donated items will be taken directly to the Okanogan Armory and will be disbursed to Twisp, Brewster, Winthrop, Carlton and other affected areas.

Donations can be dropped off Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Help Every Little Paw truck which will be parked at LePeep Cafe in Riverstone, 1885 Bellerive Lane, Coeur d'Alene.

For more information about this fundraiser, or other drop-off times and locations, please call (208) 659-6408.