Community members donated $41,554 to The Bellingham Herald's Extend-a-Hand charity during the holiday season to help low-income Whatcom County residents with rental housing and medical prescriptions.

As an added boost for the charity, Regal Entertainment Group donated another $29,000, proceeds from one of three "preview events" at the new Barkley Village theater complex.

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

Last season, people donated $44,238 to the charity. The Herald covers administrative costs, so donations directly support needy people.

Tax-deductible donations still 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.