It may have been the second coldest February on record in the Lehigh Valley, however, great causes are heating up with a plethora of events. Here are just a few good causes from mid-March through April.

Get your Greek on by attending the "Wine and Culinary Dinner Tour of the Greek Isles" to benefit the Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation, starting at 6 p.m. March 12 at Yianni's Taverna, 3760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem.

A five-course dinner includes flavors from ancient Sparta to contemporary Greek favorites, notes Maria Manakos, co-owner, Yianni's Taverna.

"This fundraiser will be a fun night of foods, wine and entertainment highlighting different tastes and regions of the Greek islands for a very good cause," she says.

Entertainment includes a belly dancer, plus a blend of folk and rock by Lorenzo, and even some disco for dancing.

Guests can also expect a few surprises, such as a "My Favorite Spartan" raffle, a silent auction of select items including a birthday party from Kids Co-op, a spring photo cruise of Lake Nockamixon, and fine art by Ward Van Haute.

Artemis Kohas, owner of the Mastiha Shop, New York City, is special guest and will offer special tastings of products made with the ancient sap culled from the Greek Isles.

Tickets: BA.JAACF@ gmail.com

The Judith Adele Agentis Charitable Foundation received the Heart of Hospice Award from the Pennsylvania Hospice Network and the Shining Star Award from St. Luke's University Hospital Network.

The foundation supports hospice care for families with free donated meals weekly to Hospice House of St. Luke's, and also funding for education and early detection screenings of pancreatic, colon, cervical and liver cancers. Information: JAACF.org

Wine to the Rescue: Animal Rescue that is, with the annual "Wine to the Rescue Wine-Tasting" to benefit the Center for Animal Health and Welfare, 4 - 8 p.m. March 22, Musikfest Café, ArtsQuest Center SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem.

Guests enjoy hors d'oeuvres, music and a silent auction, all while helping the more than 500 animals that call the Center for Animal Health and Welfare,1165 Island Park Road, Easton, home. Local radio and television personality Chris Line is emcee.

Tickets: steelstacks.org

Meanwhile, it's pet fancy at Talbot's of Bethlehem, 3303 Bath Pike (Route 512), Bethlehem, with a fun fundraiser also to benefit The Center for Animal Health and Welfare, slated for 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. April 12.

Guests can style up with the latest fashions for pets and people, and help out local animal rescues at the same time. The annual fundraiser also features a basket raffle, door prizes and a fashion collar line for your pets. Proceeds from April 12 sales are donated to the Center.

Horse cents: animals were in the forefront, too, during a recent fundraiser for the Bethlehem Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit., held the last week in February along Main Street during the Chocolate Trail, a Downtown Bethlehem Association event.

Musselman Jewelers, to help celebrate its 85th anniversary, decided to give back to the community for 2015, and jump-started the year helping raise $1,001 for the Bethlehem Police Department's Mounted Patrol Unit. On hand to give their thanks were the horses, George, Raven, Pharaoh, and the officers.

"We want to thank everyone for making this a huge success, including the Hotel Bethlehem, Apollo Grill, and the Chocolate Lab for raffle donations." says Tom Anderko, owner of Mussleman Jewelers.

Three more fundraising events are scheduled at the store for 2015. Information: musselmanpa.com

To submit press releases for consideration in the Good Cause column and request coverage of fundraisers and galas, email Paul Willistein, Focus features editor: pwillistein@tnonline.com