In Wellington this week, families can carry 10 pounds of canned food on their backs for 5 kilometers and hand it to the village food drive at the finish, while U.S. Marines collect toys along the route. The third annual Wellington Ruck March and Food Drive on Sunday, Nov. 8, caps a stretch that also brings a Halloween day at the library, a free lunch for residents 50 and up, and an afternoon of thank-you cards for veterans. Here is what is happening from Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Nov. 8.

Thursday, Oct. 29: Halloween at the Wellington Branch Library

The Wellington Branch of the Palm Beach County Library System on Royal Fern Drive has two Halloween programs on the same day. At 10:15 a.m., Read and Seek: Halloween Storytime invites preschoolers to come in costume for a storytime the library bills as not so spooky, followed by a Halloween egg hunt and a craft. It runs about 45 minutes, and the library caps it at 20 spots with online registration. Reserved places are held until five minutes after the start, then offered to families already in the building.

That afternoon, from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m., the children's activity room hosts a Spooktacular Screening of Goosebumps 2. The listing is aimed at children and does not call for registration. Both programs are free.

Friday, Oct. 30: A Free Halloween Lunch for Residents 50 and Up

The Wellington Community Center on Forest Hill Boulevard hosts a Senior Halloween Party from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for adults 50 and older. The village is serving a free lunch, with entertainment, activities and time to socialize. Seats are held by phone only, so call the community center at 561-753-2484 before Friday.

Tuesday, Nov. 3: Handmade Cards for Veterans

Back at the Wellington Branch Library, children and teens can spend an hour from 3 to 4 p.m. making greeting cards to thank veterans and active service members ahead of Veterans Day. The program is free.

Sunday, Nov. 8: A Ruck March That Ends at the Food Drive

A ruck march is a walk with weight on your back, the way soldiers train. At the Wellington Ruck March and Food Drive, the weight is groceries. Each participant carries a backpack holding at least 10 pounds of non-perishable food, or wears a weighted vest, and brings at least 10 pounds to donate. Everything collected goes to the Village of Wellington's Annual Food Drive. Marines from the 4th ANGLICO unit are also running a Toys for Tots collection during the march, so a new, unwrapped toy is welcome too.

The march starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Village Park Athletics Complex on Pierson Road, with on-site registration opening at 7:30 a.m. There are two distances. The 5K costs $30, or $25 for military members, veterans, first responders, students and families. The 2K costs $25, or $20 at the reduced rate. Sponsored teams are $250 for the 5K and $150 for the 2K. Every finisher gets a medal. The event is set up for all fitness levels and strollers are welcome, but pets are not allowed in Village Park.

Sunday, Nov. 8: A Quiet Hour at the Library

From 11 a.m. to noon, before the Wellington Branch opens to the public at noon on Sundays, the library hosts a Sensory Friendly Browsing Hour for people with sensory sensitivities, a calm time to use the shelves and services. The program is listed in English and Spanish. Later that day, from 3 to 4 p.m., the branch's Sunday Chess Club welcomes players of every skill level, beginners included. Both are free.

Looking Ahead: Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11

The Village of Wellington and American Legion Post 390 hold the annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony on Nov. 11. The parade steps off from Village Hall at 8:15 a.m. and heads to the Veterans Memorial at Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards, where the ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. with remarks from the village council and the placing of memorial wreaths. Veterans are invited to walk in the parade, and active and retired service members can register at the Wellington tent that morning to have their names recognized during the ceremony.

At a Glance

Read and Seek: Halloween Storytime: Thursday, Oct. 29, 10:15 a.m. Wellington Branch Library, 1951 Royal Fern Drive. Free, registration for 20 spots. 561-790-6070.
Spooktacular Screening: Goosebumps 2: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2:30 to 4:15 p.m. Wellington Branch Library. Free.
Senior Halloween Party (50+): Friday, Oct. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wellington Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd. Free, RSVP at 561-753-2484.
Handcrafted Cards for Veterans: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 3 to 4 p.m. Wellington Branch Library. Free.
Wellington Ruck March and Food Drive: Sunday, Nov. 8, 8:30 a.m. Village Park Athletics Complex, 11700 Pierson Road. $20 to $30, plus at least 10 pounds of non-perishable food.
Sensory Friendly Browsing Hour and Sunday Chess Club: Sunday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wellington Branch Library. Free.
Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 8:15 a.m. from Village Hall, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd. Free.

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