If you haven’t noticed, we’re entering the time of year when there are numerous events held that bring residents of our area together to enjoy an evening out — and to help area organizations.

Those events have become important items in the Tri-State Area as winter has come to an end and, while our recent weather might not show it, the calendar assures us that spring has arrived.

Things have started to heat up this weekend. Saturday, for instance, sees the return of the Festival of Nations. Scheduled to be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Weirton’s Millsop Community Center, the event gives residents from across the region the chance to experience cultures and food from around the world. Put together by a volunteer committee led by Dr. J.K. Luthra, the event is presented by the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center. There’s no charge to attend.

The Aim Women’s Center, meanwhile, planned its annual fundraising gala for 6 p.m. Saturday at the St. Florian Event Center in Wintersville. It’s the biggest fundraiser of the year held by the Steubenville-based organization that helps to ensure women facing unexpected pregnancies can have access to practical help and support. It’s an important night for Aim — the event has historically helped to fund nearly half of its operating expenses, according to Executive Director Rebekah Cohen Morris.

On Tuesday, the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Membership Meeting and Awards Banquet at the Lauttamus Communications Banquet Room, located at 1000 Colliers Way. It will be the 89th-annual gathering for the organization and will feature guest speaker Jason “Jay” Mull, the director of golf operations for the St. Clair County Club.

Sponsors include WVU Medicine-Weirton Medical Center; Starvaggi Industries Inc.; Dee Jay’s Legendary Ribs; Trinity Health System; Hancock County Savings Bank; West Virginia Northern Community College; Howard Hanna Mortimer Realty; Project BEST; Jarvis, Downing and Emch; James White Construction; Mountaineer Casino and Resort; Frontier Group of Companies; and Window World.

Cocktails will begin at 5:15 p.m., with the dinner scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

April also is shaping up as a busy month.

The Weirton Chamber will hold its Ladies Night Out April 24 at the Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse. Tickets for the event, which will begin at 5:30 p.m., cost $40 and will include dinner, vendors, prizes and gifts.

One of the most-anticipated events of the year will happen April 26, when the Ohio Valley Health Center holds its annual gala at St. Florian Event Center. This year’s event will be special — it will recognize the center’s 20 years of providing quality health care to the under insured and uninsured residents of the area.

This year’s event carries the theme of a Roaring 20 Years of Hope, Health and Healing. Serving as chairs will be members of the Judy family of Richmond. Longtime supporters of the work the center does, Gina and Mark Judy are being joined by their daughters, Kimberly Sherretts and Stephanie Presutti. The evening will have a 1920s feel with guests encouraged to dress in the outfits of that era.

It’s always a fun night out — and it helps to raise around a third of the center’s budget. That’s money that helped it provide $1,755,957 in free health care last year. It also will be the final gala for Ann Quillen, the center’s executive director, who is retiring from the post for a second time.

Tickets for the gala are $65 each, and sponsorships are still available. Contact the health center for information.

Just a few days later, on April 30, the Franciscan University of Steubenville will host its annual Baron Club Dinner at the Finnegan Fieldhouse.

McBane Insurance and Financial Services is the title sponsor for the dinner, which raises money to help support the school’s student athletes. Clint Hurdle, former manager of the Pirates, will be the guest speaker for the evening, which will begin with a reception and dinner at 6 p.m., with the program to follow at 7 p.m.

This year’s honorees will be Dick Riederer, Mike Haney and Laurie Labishak.

Tickets cost $90, and sponsorships are available.

One day later, on May 1, the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Wome*n will host the annual Wine and Shoe Extravaganza at the St. Francis Center in Follansbee. Money raised will help to fund the scholarship the organization provides each year. The event will start at 5 p.m., and tickets cost $40.

Attendees will have the chance to vote for the club’s woman of the year — this year’s nominees include Julie Decker, Labishak, Holly Lewis, Tiffany Luckino and Mariella Pittera.

Helping to plan the event is a committee led by club President Dee Kovach, Kristen Wheeler, Decker, MariAnn Ohba, Rebecca Cornelius, Amelia Taggart and Sara Lane.

While the themes of these events vary, they each allow an opportunity for anyone who attends to relax with friends, make new friends and help raise money for organizations that are working to make a difference in the lives of community members. They also provide a chance to recognize the many hard-working men and women whose efforts help to improve the lives of people throughout the region, work that is vital for our communities to be able to continue to grow.

(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is senior writer of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times)