Delta Theta Tau will host the 28th annual gala to benefit Opportunity Enterprises virtually at 7 p.m. Oct. 21. The event is the largest fundraising event of the year for OE, and will feature an inspirational program, speakers, live and silent auctions, a “Fund the Need,” and a raffle drawing for a weeklong trip to Siesta Key, Florida. The event will be hosted by Marc Ruiz, OE Chairperson and Partner at Oak Partners, Inc. Tickets are $150 each, and are on sale through Wednesday at www.oegala.com; previously purchased tickets will be honored, and must be re-registered with Amy Wulf by Wednesday at amy.wulf@oppent.org. Ticket purchases include access to the livestreamed event, an event favor, an event program and your choice of an event night package. The silent auction will be open to the public from Oct. 14 through Oct. 21. Raffle tickets can be purchased through Oct. 21 at OE front desks or via email at ann.barone@oppent.org. Previously purchased raffle tickets will be honored. Those interested in donating to the mission of OE are encouraged to do so at www.oppent.org/donate. More information is with Amy Wulf at amy.wulf@oppent.org or 219-464-9621, ext. 333.

The South Haven Lions Club will host the Scramble Golf Outing on Saturday at Duck Creek Golf Course, 638 N. 700 W., Hobart. Check-in is at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Cost is $80 per person or $320 per team. An $80 deposit is required to hold a spot. Hole sponsorships are $50. Food and beverages will be provided. Raffles and door prizes will also be available. All proceeds go to the South Haven Lions Club’s programs. The club provides funding to Gabriel’s Horn Homeless Shelter, Family Promise and Rebuilding Together. They also provide scholarships to two Portage High School seniors each year and hold a Christmas Project that provides Christmas presents and food baskets to families in need in the community. More information is with Ken Laviolette at 219-741-4915 or KDLCSL89@hotmail.com or Randy Greer at 219-728-8432 or lionrandy@yahoo.com.

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County will offer a virtual Master Recycler course at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays from Oct. 15 through Nov. 12. The course is open to individuals who live or work in Porter County and features guest speakers who will help students gain a deeper understanding of environmental issues. Topics will include: waste prevention; recycling processes; household hazardous waste and alternatives; and vermicomposting and home composting. Class size is limited to 30 participants and costs $30. Applicants that apply after the class is full will be placed on a waiting list and notified when the next course is scheduled. Once training is completed, students commit to 30 hours of volunteer time to educate others about waste reduction at home and at work. Registration information is at info@portercountyrecycling.org.

The Portage Event Partnership will host the inaugural Light Up the Gourds! Illuminated Pumpkin Trail. The drive-thru event will be held from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 23 and 24, along the Central Avenue entrance drive to the Bonner Senior Center, 5800 Lexington Ave. Admission will be free. PEP invites businesses, individuals, groups, nonprofits and schools to create Halloween scenes that will be placed along the trail. For details call city hall at 219-762-5425 or email nlaboy@portage-in.com. Additional information will be posted on the city’s Facebook page and its website at portagein.gov. The winners will receive Golden Pumpkin awards for the best scenes in each category. In addition, PEP also will host a Light Up the Gourds at Home Halloween residential decorating contest. Residents must send a photo of their home Halloween display and address to aarmstrong@portage-in.com by Oct. 21. All photographs and the addresses of the homes included in the contest will be posted on Facebook. Residents can drive by the homes and vote for their favorite via the PEP Facebook page by Oct. 31. The winner of the special home Golden Pumpkin will be announced on Nov. 2.

The Portage Fire Department and Portage Firefighters Local 3151 are supporting Breast Cancer Awareness month throughout October by wearing specially designed pink shirts each shift. The department will have special visitors at 10 a.m. Saturday at the field adjacent to Fire Station No. 3, 6300 Central Ave. Lutheran Air will be landing a medical helicopter in the field to recognize the department’s efforts in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness month and to pick up a supply of the PFD shirts.

—Staff report