Holiday fundraisers

Get Caught Caring

JFS is collecting new unwrapped toys, gift cards and food for its Get Caught Caring campaign. The goal of the program is to provide all families with the ability to have gifts for their children and food for their holiday meal. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to JFS: 2100 Lee Road, Winter Park. Should your company or group wish to conduct a toy drive on JFS’ behalf, contact Adrienne Cooperman at 407-644-7593, ext. 243. You can also choose to make a donation of $18 or more on your child’s behalf and they will be mailed a special certificate with their name.

Food for pets

Drop off new or leftover pet food at Groom Grub and Belly Rub, 3702 E. Avalon Park Blvd., Orlando, to be donated to Lovely Loaves for homeless pets or, to make a financial donation, visit www.philanthroper.com and scroll down to Doglando Foundation on the right. The funds will be used to purchase pet food, which will go to local food pantries to help feed hungry pets in East Orlando. For more information, call Groom Grub at 407-277-7387 or visit www.groomgrub.com.

Help Avalon Middle give back

Avalon Middle School students ask the community to help with the following causes they're involved in:

-The school's Beta Club is collecting items for the Palm Gardens Nursing Home. They are in need of new t-shirts for men and women, new fuzzy slippers, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, and lotion.

-Student Council, National Junior Honor Society and Kiwanis Builders Club are sponsoring a toy drive, asking the community to donate an unwrapped toy for the families that live in the East Learning Community.

Collection boxes for both of these drives are located in the front office of the school.

New Hope for Kids Thanksgiving Food Drive

New Hope for Kids provides a bag of Thanksgiving fixings and a gift card for a turkey or ham to families in need. Last year New Hope for Kids provided Thanksgiving meals to 160 families. To see the list of foods they need or to make a donation visit newhopeforkids.org or call 407-331-3059 extension 11.

Fill a wallet for a senior

Seniors First, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping senior citizens remain living independently in their homes, has launched its holiday gift drive: “Fill a Wallet for a Senior.” The organization hopes that through this drive, each of its 2,500 clients will receive a gift to brighten their holiday season. To donate, purchase a wallet and include $10 cash or a gift card. You may also make a $20 donation and the wallet will be provided. The drive runs until Dec. 1. For details, email [email protected] or visit SeniorsFirstInc.org

Avalon collecting for less fortunate students

Avalon Elementary is collecting food and bicycles for Hiawassee Elementary in west Orange County. Many students at Hiawassee Elementary come back to school starving after the holidays so they asked that other schools collect easy-to-make foods and snacks for their students to take home before they leave for Christmas break. They asked for bicycles because many students cannot afford them and it creates a safe mode of transportation to and from school. Food should be dropped off at Avalon Elementary, 13500 Tanja King Blvd., Orlando before Dec. 9 and bikes can be dropped off at the school for the rest of the school year. For more information, call 407-207-3825 or visit www.avalonhp.ocps.net

Food for Fitness

Breakthrough Fitness is doing their 2nd annual food drive to help less fortunate families and kids have a fruitful Thanksgiving and a wonderful Christmas. We can’t do it alone, so we need your help. And by helping us we want to help you. Donate $10 worth of non-perishable food items or a new toy and receive unlimited access to our high energy small group (8max) workouts for 30 days! Donations are accepted through Dec. 15 (30 days start at time of donation). Call 407-542-5910 or visit 269 Aulin Ave., Ste. 1011, Oviedo.

Blanket drive

Between now and Jan. 1, new or gently used blankets, adult sleeping bags and large backpacks can be dropped off at Stor-All in Oviedo (1931 W. State Rd. 426) during business hours. The organization can also pick up donations and will accept cash donations. For more information about Nikki's Blankets, visit www.nikkisblankets.webs.com or email [email protected] or for more information on HOPE or Christmas in the City visit www.hopehelps.org

Second Harvest food drive

RBC Bank is partnering with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to collect food and other items for those less fortunate in the Orlando area. They will be accepting donations until Dec. 19 in all RBC banking center lobbies. The Second Harvest food bank is in need of nutritious, non-perishable foods. Listed below are the most needed food and items:

-High-protein canned meals with pop-top cans (ravioli, soups, spaghetti, etc.)

-Single serving meals that do not require refrigeration or cooking/meals ready to eat

-Single serving snacks such as raisins and granola bars

-Peanut Butter

-Infant formula

-Hygiene products (shampoo, soap, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.)

-Cleaning supplies (wipes preferred)

-Paper goods and products (paper towels, paper plates/cups/napkins/plastic utensils)

Waterford Toys for Tots

Santa's Winter Wonderland Village, running from Dec. 1 through Jan. 2 at the Waterford Lakes Town Center, will be a collection point for the Toys for Tots program, organized by the U.S. Marine Corps. Drop off times will be during the carnival, which

is 5-11 p.m. on weekdays through Dec. 16; 2-11 p.m. on weekdays from Dec. 19 through Jan. 2 and closed Dec. 5-7. For each unwrapped toy, an event fun card with two free rides will be issued.

Cans for Queso

Qdoba Mexican Grill is launching a “Cans for Queso” food drive this Thanksgiving season in the Orlando area to support Christian HELP. From Monday, Nov. 14 thru Sunday, Nov. 20, guests can bring canned goods or non-perishable items into any Orlando-area Qdoba restaurant location.

Toys for Bithlo

Kiwanis of Avalon Park is collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Bithlo toy mall, which is from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 at the Bithlo Community Center. Families in need will be able to ‘shop’ for their children for the holidays. Drop off toys at the Avalon Park HOA office, 3680 E. Avalon Park Blvd., Orlando. For more details, call 407-658-6565.

Volunteer for the animals

Those interested in helping animals can attend Orange County Animal Services' volunteer orientation day, Saturday, Jan. 7 at 2769 Conroy Rd., Orlando. All volunteers must pass a background check and training must be completed within 30 days after cat and dog training. Sign up today by calling Patsy Porter at 407-254-9155 or email [email protected]

Meals for seniors

If you are a homebound elder in need of a holiday dinner delivered to your home for Thanksgiving or know someone who is, please contact JFS at 407-644-7593, extension 227. Delivery will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and meals are prepared by Chef George at the Kinneret Kosher kitchen. JFS covers the cost of the 60-plus meals that are delivered. Donations of $18 or more toward the meal delivery program are accepted. Checks can be mailed to Jewish Family Services, 2100 Lee Road, Winter Park, FL 32789 or credit card information can be taken over the phone.

Christmas in the City

Christmas in the City, a day the community unites to provide the spirit of Christmas to families in need, is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at First Baptist Church of Oviedo, 45 W. Broadway Ave. Donate new unwrapped toys, socks and underwear, gift cards to Target, Walmart, or grocery stores, school supplies, and jeans. Several volunteers are needed to help with sheparding/family guides, wrapping gifts, sorting toys and clothes, set up and clean up. Your business or church can also help in sponsoring the event. Visit www.hopehelps.org to sign up. Families in need must pre-register at HOPE, 149 E. Broadway Ave., Oviedo, through Dec. 3 on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

School raises money for families

East River High School is raising money for the school's families in need with their Helping Falcon Families 5K Fun Run at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at the school, 654 Columbia School Road, Orlando. For more information, contact the school at 407-956-8550.

To list your fundraiser here, email pertinent information to [email protected]