It’s only the first week of December, but it seems like the Season is going by so fast. With all the hustle and bustle of the Holiday, it is a good time to remember to help those who need a little assistance this time of year. You may want to hurry - some deadlines are very close!
I recently found this list in *MetroFamily Magazine: 
Holiday Mail for Heroes Through December 7 - Throughout the holiday season, the Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will collect and distribute holiday cards to American service members, veterans and their families in the United State and around the world. See website for guidelines at www.redcross.org/support/get-involved/holiday-mail-for-heroes. Send a letter to the following address: Holiday Mail for Heroes (PO Box 5456, Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456)
Be a Santa to a Senior Through December 7 - Christmas trees have names and wish lists of local needy seniors. Find ornaments on trees at Thrifty Pharmacy stores (10904 N May Ave. and 230 S. Santa Fe Ave. in Edmond) or at the Home Instead Senior Care Office (3623 NW 36th.) For more locations visit www.beasantatoasenior.com.
HUGS Project Through December 10 - (7000 Crossroads Blvd, Suite 1048, OKC) is preparing to send 5,000 boxes to soldiers. They are in need of volunteers to make hats, goody bags and cooling ties. Great for the whole family. 651-8359.
A Fostering Christmas Drive - Through December 11 - will be collecting new, unwrapped toys to be distributed to foster children. Bring in a toy for a chance to win a beautiful gift basket donated by several area crafters and businesses. Drop off toys at Dream Catchers Dance Studio (1829 N Kickapoo, Shawnee) or contact Mandie Streater at 580-821-1191.
Sunbeam Family Services Adopt a Family - Through December 13 - (616 NW 21st St, OKC) needs people to "adopt" families and provide family wishes of gifts and necessities. Unwrapped gifts should be delivered to Sunbeam Family Services. See website for a list of families and adoption procedures. 528-7721, www.sunbeamfamilyservices.org.
Pajama Drive - Through December 16 - at participating Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt locations. Any customer donating a new pair of pajamas benefitting Citizens Caring for Children will receive a coupon for 3oz. of frozen yogurt. Pajamas will go to help children living in foster care. Click here for more information.
Salvation Army Bell Ringers Angel Tree - Through Christmas - Intake Volunteers Needed. Volunteers are need to ring bells during the Christmas season and to help intake Angel Tree toys and gifts at the Christmas warehouse. Call Lois Green at 246-1101 or email to lois_green@uss.salvationarmy.org.
4th Annual Stockings for the Homeless - Through Christmas - will be collecting donations of stockings and items to fill them as well as food donations for their annual Christmas Dinner. Volunteers needed on December 9th to stuff the stockings, on December 23rd for Christmas dinner set up and on Christmas Day to help with the dinner. For information on donations, drop-off locations or volunteering, email stockingsforthehomeless@yahoo.com or visit the website at www.stockingsforthehomeless.org.
Christmas Cards - Through Christmas - created by the patients of The Children's Center are available for purchase online and in person at The Children's Center Gift Shop. Cards may be imprinted for your office (call for details). Benefits The Children's Center by assisting the purchase the extensive equipment necessary for the therapies and medical care which helps the patients learn and grow as well as other expenses. $10 for a pack of 12 cards with envelopes. 789-6711. Available at www.tccokc.org/ways-to-give/gift-shop.
Science Museum Oklahoma - Through Christmas - is partnering with Toys for Tots Oklahoma City to help all children have at least one gift to open on Christmas Day. Donation boxes will be available at Science Museum Oklahoma, or you can purchase a toy from The Science Shop inside the museum as a donation and receive 20% off. 602-6664, www.facebook.com/ScienceMuseumOK.
Home Creations House of Cans - Through December 31 - raises food & funds for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Donations of canned food will be collected at 16 Home Creations communities in Edmond, Piedmont, Yukon, Mustang, Midwest City, Moore, Norman, Collinsville and Broken Arrow. See website for locations. www.homecreations.com/HouseOfCans.
Thanks and Giving Campaign - Through December 31 - at the Melting Pot of Oklahoma City (4 E Sheridan) benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In November and December, guests have the opportunity to donate to the kids of St. Jude. For every $10 donated, guests receive a Fondue for the Kids card valid for $20 off a future purchase of $50 or more at The Melting Pot. Donations can also be made online at www.meltingpot.com/fondueforthekids.
Holiday Helpers - Through December 31 - at the Children's Center is accepting donations of needed items. Although this program runs from Thanksgiving through New Year's, the Children's Center accepts donations of needed items year round. Visit the website for wish lists how to donate.
Express Ice Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink - Through January 6 - at Festival Market (1 & Broadway, Edmond). Bring a nonperishable food item for the Hope Center of Edmond and save $1 on your skating admission on Mondays. $10 with skates, $8 with own skates, $5 for 5 years & under. See website for hours. 274-1638, www.expressice.com/edmondok.
Wild Wish Tree - Through December 31 - at the OKC Zoo (2101 NE 50th, OKC) gives animal lovers an opportunity to donate gifts to the OKC Zoo animals. The Tree is decorated with ornaments bearing the descriptions of enrichment items for Zoo animals that are diverse in size, shape and cost. Select a wish from the tree by visiting the ZooFriends' office daily from 9am-5pm. After purchasing the items, you may bring your gift back to the office from December 1-31. You may also purchsase Wild Wish gifts through Amazon.com and the item will be shipped automatically to the zoo. Just visit www.amazon.com, click on Wish List and search for OKC Zoo. 425-0618, www.okczooed.com.
Panera Bread & Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma's Food for Kids Backpack Program - December 7 - at Panera Bread Cafes in OKC, Midwest City, Edmond and Norman will donate $1 from any Whole Big Kid Grilled Cheese and 50 cents from any Big Kid Grilled Cheese as part of a You Pick Two Meal. In addition, $1 of every Ham and Gruyere Breakfast Sandwich sold will also go directly to the food bank. www.panerabread.com, www.regionalfoodbank.org.
FREE Moore Santa Express Toy Drive - December 7 - at the Moore Community Center (301 S Howard, Moore) Bring an unwrapped toy & enjoy fun activities, snacks & warm drinks. Toys may also be donated at any Moore Fire Station 11/23-12/17. Donations also accepted online. 6:30-8:30pm. 793-5110, www.mooresantaexpress.com.
Edward-Jones Food Drive with Santa & His Elves - December 8 - at Randel Shadid Law Parking Lot (19 N Broadway, Edmond). Santa & his elves will be available for photos. Live music. Bring canned foods for the Regional Food Bank. 10:30am-1:30pm. 340-1241.
Oklahoma City Handbell Ensemble Concert - December 8 - presented by Oklahoma Choral Artists at Del City HS Auditorium (1900 S Sunnylane, Del City) benefits the Mid-Del Food Pantry. $5. 7:30pm. www.okcbells.com.
Habitat for Humanity - December 9 through 24 - will be at Sooner Mall (3301 W Main, Norman) wrapping gifts for donations. www.cchfh.org.
Holiday Toy Giveaway - December 23 - at Christ Church (1006 NE 17th, OKC) features worship followed by a celebration with cookies, punch and popcorn as free toys are given to 200 needy families. Donations of new toys for all ages accepted. 10:45am-noon. To register, call 424-2800 or by email at registration@christchurchokc.org. www.christchurchokc.org.
Red Andrews Christmas Dinner - December 25 - at the Cox Convention Center provides a home cooked meal and a visit with Santa Claus for people in the community. Children of all ages get to receive a toy in their age range. Volunteers and donations are needed. Volunteers are needed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Donations can be made to the foundation at any UMB Oklahoma branch location. To help, call the foundation at 935-8547 or 473-3967.
Norman Community Christmas Dinner - December 25 - at Norman High School (911 W Main, Norman) offers a holiday meal to the public. Volunteers needed to cook, serve and donate food. 364-3273, www..stmichaelsnorman.org/page/christmas-dinner.
Warmth 4 Winter – Ongoing - will be collecting gently used coats for those in need. The coats are dry-cleaned through the generosity of local cleaners and then given to the homeless, needy families and to children without. If you know anyone in need of a winter coat, call the Salvation Army at 246-1100. www.kfor.com.
Infant Crisis Services – Ongoing - (4224 N Lincoln, OKC) provides food, formula and other infant items to families in crisis. Monetary donations can be mailed to Infant Crisis Services or made online at www.infantcrisis.org.
Heifer International – Ongoing - provides livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. For more information, visit www.heifer.org.
Salvation Army Food Pantry – Ongoing - volunteers need to help unload and sort food items as well as fill grocery orders for families at The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma’s food pantry. If interested, contact Lois Green at 246-1101 or email to lois_green@uss.salvationarmy.org. 
*MetroFamily Magazine is a GREAT way to find out what is going on in the area!
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