Heating Assistance
Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for older adults and low- and middle-income New Yorkers will be accepted by local departments of social services. Eligibility is based on income, household size and how the home is heated. Residents can apply online at https://on.ny.gov/2Fn062M and mail it to NYC DSS/HRA/HEAP, P.O. Box 1401, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008. For more information, call (212) 331-3126.

LGBT Scholarship
College scholarships totaling $10,000 will be awarded to students who are members or allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Applicants must write two 500-word essays that discuss a challenge they have faced in life, and the historical significance of the Stonewall Inn within the context of the gay rights movement. The deadline is March 1, 2020. Applications can be filled online at https://bit.ly/2PugZdH. Applications must be completed by March 1, 2020. For questions, contact Eric Vaughan at LGBTQ@schools.nyc.gov.

STEM Teacher Award
Nominations are now being accepted for NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47’s Weather Kids Star Teacher award recognition program honoring science, technology, engineering or math teachers. A portion of the application includes a section that asks what makes the nominated teacher deserving of the honor by listing reasons or a story relating to the teacher and the work they do in the classroom. Schools of each winning teacher will receive a $1,000 award the benefits the learning needs of the winning teacher’s students. To nominate a teacher, go to nbcnewyork.com/weatherkids. The deadline is Jan. 31, 2020.

Community Grants
Applications for community improvement grants of up to $3,000 to community-based groups are being accepted by the Citizens Committee for New York City. Grants will be awarded for neighborhood improvement projects planned and executed by local residents. The application deadline is Jan. 20. To apply, visit www.citizensnyc.org/grants. For more information, call Arif Ullah, program director, at (212) 822-9580. The deadline is Jan. 20, 2020. 

Mulchfest
Live Christmas trees can be recycled at the following locations from Dec. 26 through Jan. 11 as part of the New City Parks Department’s annual Mulchfest: Williamsbridge Oval Park at Reservoir Oval and Reservoir Place (drop-off site only); and Van Cortlandt Park, Bailey Avenue and Van Cortlandt Park South, for drop off or having the tree chipped. For more information, call 311.

Crib Bumper Exchange
Parents and caregivers can dispose of their crib bumper pads—known to cause injury to infants or possibly death—in exchange for a baby sleep sack at the Administration for Children’s Services’ (ACS) Bronx office at 2501 Grand Concourse, fourth floor. It’s recommended to call the Bronx ACS office at (718) 933-1212 ahead of receiving the sleep sack. For more information, go to www.nyc.gov/safesleep. 

Naloxone Training
Free trainings on the administration of naloxone, the drug used to reverse opioid overdoses, is available through the Bronx Community Health Network on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 1 Fordham Plaza (excluding holidays). For more information, contact Matthew Carrion, community health worker, at (929) 220 8176 or naloxone@bchnhealth.org.