Compassion New England Coat Drive Begins, PSAT on Wednesday

1. Compassion New England, which runs the Blessing Barn thrift store in the Big Lots plaza, will be collecting coats for distribution this month. The store is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 146 S. Main St. If you or someone you know needs a winter coat, you can pick up a free ticket at the store Monday through Saturday. The store hopes to distribute more than 100 coats this year.

2. Milford will celebrate Halloween on Oct. 31, which falls on a Thursday this year. Here are some safety tips.

3. Cornerstone at Milford, an assisted living and memory care center under construction on Birch Street, will hold an open house from 1 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.

4. Milford High School will distribute the PSAT to all sophomores and juniors on Wednesday. There is no fee. The PSAT serves as the screening for the National Merit Scholarship program, and it also gives students an early indication how they will score on the SAT, and how they might prepare for that college entrance exam.

5. The BayPath Humane Society will hold its 4th annual Paws and Claws 5K Run and Walk on Sunday, within Hopkinton State Park. The event is among the largest fundraisers for the shelter. Registrations are still being accepted.