The Boise-born Wyakin Warrior program provides money and other much-needed support for wounded veterans who want to attend college at Boise State University or the College of Western Idaho. Eleven veterans are in the program now, and Wyakin organizers say the number of students will more than double in 2013. There’s a growing waiting list of men and women who want to study in Idaho.

Military cartoonist and Idahoan Jeff Bacon founded the organization in 2011. From the very beginning, many of his cartoonist colleagues from across the country were supporters of Wyakin. And many of them are coming to Boise on Dec. 1 for the inaugural, black tie Wyakin Warrior Guardian Ball, a fundraiser for the program.

Their visit is in keeping with a long tradition of cartoonists traveling the world to visit wounded troops at military hospitals. Ball attendees will include Pulitzer Prize winners Mike Peters and Michael Ramirez, Tom Richmond and others from “MAD Magazine,” as well as Jeff Keane from “The Family Circus.” The evening will also include big band music, raffles, an auction — chances for guests to bid on original cartoon art — and dancing.

All proceeds from the event, 7 p.m. at the Boise Centre, 850 W. Front St., will go to the Wyakin program. Tickets are $50 or $400 for a table, available online. Link through idahostatesman.com.

Y HOSTS ‘ZUMBATHON’ THANKSGIVING MORN

Here’s something that will be good for you and the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, the program that helps make sure any kid can come to the Y regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

The Thanksgiving Day Zumbathon will be an hour-and-a-half of cardio dance from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Y’s Homecourt/Meridian/Eagle branch, 936 Taylor Ave., Meridian. 855-5711.

The event is open to all ages, 10 and under free. If you get your tickets in advance (online, link at idahostatesman.com), they cost $5. If you get them at the door, they cost $10. Either way, the money helps kids.

OPERATION WISH BOOK

Operation Wish Book is the annual book drive with a noble cause — giving new books to kids in need who don’t have books at home.

Drop boxes will be set up through Nov. 27 at Boise public schools and many charter and private schools as well as local businesses.

The Salvation Army and teacher volunteers with Operation Wish Book will distribute the donated books to kids before Christmas.

Contact Betty Reimann at 376-8687, breimann65@msn.com or Lucy Leavell at 870-0254, bleav8@yahoo.com for more about how to donate or volunteer for book distribution.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN HOME WISH LIST

The home offers lodging and a warm community for seniors and others on limited income. While residents’ names will appear on the annual Soroptimist gift list published in the Statesman on Thanksgiving, the home has more practical needs as well: toilet paper and toiletry items, laundry detergent, twin mattresses and box springs, dressers, new carpet, towels, computer paper, stamps, and intercom phone system, frozen turkeys, hams, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Drop donations at the home, 3501 W. State St. in Boise. 343-6051.

BOISE RESCUE MISSION NEEDS TURKEYS

Boise Rescue Mission is getting ready to assemble holiday food boxes for local families.

The organization is hoping to give away 3,500 frozen turkeys.

If you can help, donations will be accepted at any of the mission’s locations, including its warehouse at 308 S. 24th St., the City Light Home for Women and Children, 1404 W. Jefferson St. and the River of Life, 575 13th St. in Boise and the Lighthouse, 472 Caldwell Blvd. in Nampa.

‘KEEP KIDS WARM’ CAMPAIGN SEEKS DONATIONS

Donations of kids’ outerwear (coats, mittens, scarves, hats) are welcome for this 16th annual drive hosted by the moving and storage company PODS and Kissin’ 92.

The drive continues through Dec. 21.

Drop items at the PODS container collection point at YMC Inc., 2975 E. Lanark St. in Meridian and at Tom Scott Toyota in Nampa, 15933 N. Idaho Center Blvd.

Donated items will go to the El-Ada Community in Action Agency, Western Idaho Community in Action Program and Malheur County Aging Community Services for pick-up and distribution to local kids.

FREE MEALS ON THE BENCH

After a story about a new food pantry opening for Boise State students and staffers ran in the Statesman, Janice Aagaard, president of the Women’s Fellowship at Wright Congregational Church United Church of Christ, was kind enough to write in to help spread the word about more meals available in the community to those in need.

Five churches on the bench serve free meals once a month. Call for details or more information about making a donation:

Æ Wright Congregational Church, 4821 Franklin Rd., 343-0292.

Æ Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 811 S. Latah, 344-8311.

Æ All Saints Episcopal Church, 704 S. Latah, 344-2537.

Æ Red Rock Christian Church, 1124 S. Roosevelt, 342-2380.

Æ Whitney Methodist Church, 3315 W. Overland Rd., 343-2892.

© 2012 Idaho Statesman

Anna Webb: 377-6431