Nonprofit Briefs

Fjordin Crossing event Sunday in Hoodsport

The Fjordin Crossin, an event that celebrates the practice of sending a barrel of Aquavit in a ship from Norway across the equator and back again, is Sunday in Hoodsport.

The event begins at 11 a.m. with food vendors. At 12:30 p.m., a small parade begins at the Hardware Distillery and travels to the Hoodsport dock. Hood Canal Events sponsors a Paddle the Canal Challenge, with a cost $19. Kayaks can be rented.

A shuttle bus will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from the Hood Canal School parking lot at the corner of U.S. Highway 101 and state Route 106. It will leave on the hour and half hour for transport to Hoodsport.

Pioneer Kiwanis Club clam/shrimp dinner returns

The Pioneer Kiwanis Club hosts a shrimp and clam dinner, with a live and silent auction, May 21 at Pioneer Elementary School.

Proceeds from the event go to scholarships for Pioneer School District students and for programs that benefit Mason County children.

The dinner usually features crab, but it is difficult to obtain right now, the club said. Tickets are a new price after the change from crab to shrimp at $35 for adults, and $15 for children ages 2 to 12; kids under 2 are admitted free. People who already purchased tickets will receive a $5 refund offered at the door. The meal also includes spaghetti and coleslaw. Tickets are available from any Pioneer Kiwanis member. For questions or to donate an auction item, call Lee at 360-432-0136 or Pam at 360-426-2344.

Youth Connection hosts Mardi Gras event

The Youth Connection, a nonprofit organization that aids youths and young adults in Shelton and Belfair, hosts a Mardi Gras Gala with a dinner, silent and live auction, and other activities at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Little Creek Casino and Resort in Shelton.

Proceeds from the event will help youths ages 12 to 24 who are at risk of homelessness, or who are homeless, find permanent housing. Tickets are $100, or a table of six for $500. To buy tickets or donate auction items, call Susan at 360-462-0125 or go to the drop-in center at 123 S. Second St., downtown Shelton.

Love INC offers free life skills workshops

The Shelton-based nonprofit Love In the Name of Christ (INC) and its 25 partner churches in Mason County are offering free life skills workshops.

The group and the churches work together to connect people in need with goods and services that include clothing, blankets, backpacks for kids, diapers, medical equipment and financial help. The group provides assistance to hundreds of low-income and indigent families each year. The workshops are hosted from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays at First Baptist Church, 429 West Cota St., downtown Shelton. Sound Learning provides a Spanish language interpreter as needed.

Space is limited. Reservations are encouraged by calling 360-462-5683 or visiting sheltonfbc.org.

The workshops include:

■ Instruction in hand and machine sewing May 9-23.

■ Parenting May 16. Although the workshop is free, donations are requested to cover the cost of the workbook. Child care is provided.

■ Self-defense, taught by local law enforcement officers, June 6-20.

■ Cyber security June 27.

■ Conversational Spanish/English July 11.

Later workshops will include cooking, computer courses, resume building, and canning vegetables, jams and jellies. For more information, call Love INC at 360-462-5683.

Kristmas Town Kiwanis hosts gathering

The Kristmas Town Kiwanis Club hosts "Koffee With Kiwanis" from 10 to 11 a.m. May 21 at C.J.'s Restaurant, 116 West Railroad Ave., downtown Shelton. Come learn about the club.

For more information, call Vickie Gonzales at 360-229-1442.

Arts and Crafts Fair at Lake Cushman Golf Course

The Lake Cushman Golf Course hosts its second Arts and Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 21. More than 20 local artists and vendors will sell their work.