As the holiday season nears, area groups are busy helping the less fortunate.

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tneditor@tnonline.com to let us know what the wish list is for your nonprofit group. Be sure to include contact information.Albrightsville fire companyThe junior firefighters of Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company are making it their mission to give sick children in the Lehigh Valley Hospital a great holiday. They are collecting toys, games and art supplies for children of all ages. Donations will be accepted until Dec. 12 and can brought to the fire house on Mondays between 6:30 and 9 p.m. and on Saturdays between 4:30 and 10 p.m. as well as during breakfast on Dec. 6. All items must be new and unwrapped. Any handmade dolls, pillows or blankets must be freshly laundered.For a complete list of items, contact Christian Petras at 718 877-4188 after 3 p.m. weekdays. There are many items on the list, but board games are especially needed.Toys for TotsRegistration for the 2015 Toys for Tots Campaign will be held on Dec. 4, 5, 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration for Carbon County residents will take place at the Salem Bible Fellowship Church, 1105 Frederick's Grove Road, Lehighton. This is the only location for registration and no phone calls will be accepted.To ensure that a family is eligible for the program, there must be a letter from your church, proof of public assistance or proof of unemployment. Only parents or legal guardians are permitted to register children. They must have ID for themselves. Legal guardians must have proof of guardianship. You need to have a current, local resident, photo ID to prove your Carbon County residency. For each child being registered, a birth certificate is required.The age limit is 14 years, handicapped children 16 years. Please specify disability.A drop off box for items is located at 22 E. Sixth St., Jim Thorpe. If you have questions, call Ed at 570-325-2408.Meals on WheelsMeals on Wheels of Palmerton delivers three meals every Monday through Friday to our clients who can no longer prepare meals for themselves because of various health reasons. This service allows them to remain in their home instead of moving to a care facility. Our volunteer drivers also share smiles and caring conversation with our clients.Our Christmas list includes monetary donations, postage stamps, gas cards and volunteer drivers. Our mailing address is 135 Lafayette Ave., Palmerton, PA. 18071. Because we do not receive any government funding, we operate totally with donated financial support. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.Socks for SeniorsThe Socks for Seniors Project is in full swing once again for its fourth year.Mary Ann Dulaney and daughter Jessica Kutza, coordinators for the project, with the assistance of 13 area businesses, are collecting donations of warm socks and other items to distribute to local nursing home and rehab center residents for the holiday season.In addition to donations of nonskid and regular socks, personal care items (shampoo, lotion, chap stick, deodorant, brushes, combs, aftershave, shower caps, small hand sanitizers), individually wrapped snacks or sugar free candy, soft tissues, costume jewelry, garden gloves (for wheelchair use), backscratchers, puzzle books and anything to bring cheer to the elders are appreciated.New, unwrapped items can be dropped off at the following locations:Coaldale: Tommy's Restaurant, Angela Triplex TheatreLansford: Sports Zoo, First Niagara Bank, Jim Thorpe Neighborhood BankSummit Hill: Hiles Brothers, Midas Touch Hair SalonNesquehoning: Classic BeverageJim Thorpe: Mauch Chunk 5 & 10Lehighton: Beacon 443, Pathstone Head StartTamaqua: Dr. Puddu's office, AAA, M&S HardwareThe deadline is Dec. 8.Businesses interested in hosting a drop-off box or Nursing Centers in need of gifts can contact Dulaney at 570-645-4228 or

madula@ptd.net.Rotary ClubThe Rotary Club of Jim Thorpe has for the past 16 years gathered names and needs of disadvantaged children in the Jim Thorpe Area School District. With our lists we go to Foreman Mills and with the help of 25 CCTI markets students, spouses and friends, shop for around 600 articles of clothing for approximately 125 children.The following day, a dozen National Honor Society students at Jim Thorpe Area High School help prepare and wrap each article for presentation under the tree. We also ask for donations from various sources to add to funds raised by members throughout the year.Our shopping budget of roughly $5,000 has varied year to year but is down this year due to the loss of a major donor. With the help of additional donors, we plan to shop on Dec. 14.Bob Stevenson, chairmanHoliday Giving ProjectRotary Club of Jim ThorpeP.O. Box 103Jim Thorpe, PA 18229.Lansford AliveLansford Alive Events Committee is trying to revitalize Kennedy Park in Lansford. In 2016, we are planning a 40th anniversary rededication of the Miners' Monument and coordinating a Heritage Day with this event.• Paint for the gazebo and stain sealer for the roof of the gazebo.• Pavers for a walkway to the Miners' Monument.• Trees and flowers for a flower bed• Park BenchesLansford AliveP.O. Box 172Lansford PA 18232Tamaqua Day CareTamaqua Area Adult Day Care Center is asking for:• Reacher Grabber pickup tool• 5-ounce plastic disposable drinking cups• Electrical power strips• Velvet art coloring books• Packets of brightly colored buttons for crafts• '50s or '60s music (CDs or cassette tapes)• Gift cards to Boyers or Walmart to purchase food suppliesThe center is at 300 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, PA 18252, 570-668-6556.Quiet ValleyQuiet Valley, Monroe County's Living Historical Farm, is asking for: card tables, must be very sturdy and strong; pint canning jars with rims and lids, regulation canning jars only, no food jars, please; apple peelers/corers; a good heavy-duty hand mixer; 6-inch white taper style candles, no colors, though.Anyone able to play Santa at Quiet Valley should call in case the need has been met. The number is 570-992-6161.Tamaqua YMCAColored copy paperConstruction paperTissue paperTissuesPaper towelsToilet paperDish soapGift cards to Walmart, Becker's School Supplies, Michaels CraftsOffice deskClorox wipesAir freshenersBaby toysPrinter inkPreschool cubbiesTwo preschool rugs, 7-by-12 ovalNicholas ZigmantExecutive DirectorTamaqua YMCA1201 E. Broad St.Tamaqua, PA 18252Turn To UsTurn To Us is a new nonprofit serving people and families impacted by major and chronic illness throughout Carbon County and the Tamaqua area. We are in need of food store gift cards, postage stamps, envelopes, paper and 3-hole pocket folders. Donations can be dropped off at our office located in the CareerLink building, 69 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Please feel free to call us at 570-325-2701 ext. 108 with any questions. Thank you for your support and generosity during the holiday season and throughout the year.Feed the PeopleElectric Can Opener (to handle Large No. 10 Cans)Electric MixerSlotted cooking spoonsLarge cooking forksLarge frying panGift cards for food markets to help purchase food servedPaper products: Napkins, plates, towelsPlastic UtensilsFeed the PeopleLansford, PA570-657-1480