Salvation Army to open 24-hour toy shop

BRADENTON -- The Salvation Army of Manatee County is putting out the call to help fulfill the wishes of 2,800 children registered for the Angel Tree program.

The Salvation Army mobile toy shop schedule:

n Monday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tara Publix, 7290 55th Ave. E.; 3-6 p.m. Kmart, 6110 U.S. 301, Ellenton.

n Tuesday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Kmart, 7350 Manatee Ave. W.; 3-6 p.m. Walmart, 6225 S.R. 64 E.

n Wednesday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Walmart, 5315 Cortez Road; 3-6 p.m. Walmart, 2911 53rd Ave. E.

Additionally, volunteers will host a 24-hour toy shop at The Salvation Army Center for Worship and Service, 5328 24th St. E., Thursday through Dec. 17.

Rep. Boyd’s office accepting donations

BRADENTON -- Rep. Jim Boyd’s district office, 717 Manatee Ave. W., Suite 100, is accepting donations for Toys for Tots and Manatee County Food Banks.

Nonperishable food items and/or new unwrapped toys can be dropped off 9 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

‘Information: 941-708-4968.

Popular Tour of Lights to collect food, toys

MANATEE -- Manatee County Area Transit will host the popular Tour of LightsFriday and Saturday.

Riders need only bring a nonperishable food item or unwrapped toy for admission. The food will be donated to local social service networks and the toys will be given to the Toys for Tots program. Seating is limited and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Passengers should arrive no later than 6:30 p.m. and should be ready for the 6:45 p.m. departure at one of two park and ride locations:

n State College of Florida, 5840 26th St. W.. Building No. 29

n Manatee Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto.

Information: 941-749-3030.

Donate a food item, see ‘A Christmas Story’ free

LAKEWOOD RANCH -- To benefit local food banks, Lakewood Ranch Cinemas, 10715 Rodeo Drive, Lakewood Ranch, will host a special showing of the 1983 holiday classic, “A Christmas Story,” at 9 a.m. Saturday. Admission to the movie is free with a food donation.

Throughout December, theatergoers can participate in Lakewood Ranch Cinema’s Salvation Army Angel Tree, Humane Society of Lakewood Ranch pet donation tree and the “Cans” Film Festival Food Bank Tree.

Needed donations include healthy cereals, tuna and other canned meat, pasta, rice, peanut butter, canned soups, canned vegetables and fruits, macaroni and cheese, flour and sugar, nutritious children’s snacks, and 100 percent fruit juice. The food banks also are in need of baby cereal, formula, baby food and diapers. Pet donations include dog or cat food, metal food bowls, paper towels, bleach, rawhide bones, and cat litter.

Tiny Hands Foundation seeks donations

SARASOTA -- The Tiny Hands Foundation is looking for donations to help feed more than 3,000 children. Needy families are given a basket of food and toys. The Tiny Hands Foundation Basket Brigade will take place 8 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Boys & Girls Club branch, 3100 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. A donation of $28 feeds a family of four, including a full Christmas meal with a turkey or ham, and toys for the children.

Volunteers are also are needed to assemble and deliver the baskets to underprivileged families in Manatee, Sarasota and Tampa Bay area counties.

To become a Basket Brigade volunteer or donate, visit www.tinyhandsfoundation.org.

Information: 941-343-8023.

Pawn shops assist Boy and Girls Clubs with toy drive

MANATEE -- America’s Super Pawn is having a Christmas toy drive benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Come in to any of the store’s locations with a new, unwrapped toy and receive a ticket to enter a drawing for a new Acer Aspire laptop computer. Winners will be chosen Saturday.

Comfort Keepers offering free help to seniors

MANATEE -- Seniors who need a little help around the house this holiday season can call Comfort Keepers for free help making a holiday meal, picking up food at the store, addressing envelopes and mail, getting to a doctor’s appointment, decorating, baking or housekeeping.

The help will be available until Dec. 20. Call 941-921-4747.

Tax Collector helping with Little Tummies

MANATEE -- The Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office has collection bins for Feeding Empty Little Tummies Inc. of Manatee at 819 301 Blvd., Bradenton; 7411 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton; 6007 111th St. E., Lakewood Ranch; and 4333 U.S. 301 N, Ellenton.

-- Herald staff reports