Community members have given $19,070 so far this holiday season to The Bellingham Herald's Extend-a-Hand charity, which helps low-income Whatcom County residents move into and keep rental housing and to obtain medical prescriptions.

In addition, Regal Entertainment Group has donated $29,000 to Extend-a-Hand, the proceeds from one of three "preview events" days of movies shown at the company's new Regal Barkley Village theater complex.

The Opportunity Council, a nonprofit social service agency, oversees the housing donations for Extend-a-Hand. The prescriptions are dispensed by staff at Interfaith Community Health Center.

Last season, people gave about $45,000 to Extend-a-Hand. The Herald covers administrative costs, so the donations directly support needy people.

Tax-deductible donations can be mailed or taken to: Extend-a-Hand, c/o Opportunity Council, 1111 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225. Credit card donations are accepted. Details: Sheri Emerson, 360-734-5121, ext. 301.

Reach DEAN KAHN at dean.kahn@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2291.