In brief

‘Tis still the season: Community Gifts accepting pledge cards

Though maybe not exactly a Christmas miracle, Harvard’s annual Community Gifts campaign has extended its deadline for pledge cards through Dec. 22, helping to make at least one aspect of the giving season a little more convenient. For 2007, organizers of Community Gifts – which allows employees to direct gifts to charities of their choice – hope to raise $1 million in support of local and national organizations.

For more information, or to request a pledge card, call (617) 495-1598. Pledges may also be made electronically at http://www.community.harvard.edu/communitygifts.

Orchestra auditions for ‘Der Rosenkavalier’

The Lowell House Opera is holding orchestra auditions for its March 2007 production of Richard Strauss’ ‘Der Rosenkavalier. Established in 1938, the Lowell House Opera features a mix of Harvard students and Boston-area students and professionals. Auditions will be held in Lowell House throughout December and early January. Rehearsals will begin in January.

To schedule an audition or for more information, visit http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/lho, or contact Justin Albstein at jalbstein@law.harvard.edu.

Gift driven?

Through Dec. 15, the Phillips Brooks House (PBH) will be accepting donations for its annual holiday gift drive. Members of the Harvard community are invited to donate new, unwrapped gifts for children in preschool through middle school. Collection boxes are located throughout campus, including PBH, the Memorial Church, and in the Holyoke Center Information Center.

Last year, the drive collected hundreds of books, games, toys, art supplies, and pieces of sports equipment, which were delivered to agencies throughout the Greater Boston area. Organizers hope to collect more than 1,000 gifts this year for children of impoverished, homeless, or incarcerated parents.

For more information, e-mail Zandra Kambysellis, department administrator of Phillips Brooks House, at kambysel@fas.harvard.edu.