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.Please be sure to include your contact information so people can fulfill your wishes.We will compile everyone’s lists and run them in the Times News beginning Black Friday.Palmerton Cat ProjectPalmerton Cat Project is an organization whose mission is to spay and neuter free-roaming cats in Palmerton and get kittens and “friendlies” off the street and into forever homes. FromOctober 2015 throughSeptember 2016, 112 cats, 58 females and 54 males, were spayed/neutered/rehomed. Fifty-one found indoor homes. Palmerton Cat Project provided guidance, support, and help with medical expenses, as well as fostering and socializing those deemed adoptable.Palmerton Cat Project is in need of Havahart humane traps (large), kitten milk replacer — ready mix or powdered, and Friskies Classic Pate Poultry or Classic Pate Turkey & Giblets canned, wet cat food.Donations can be dropped off at 940 Edgemont Ave., Palmerton, at the home of Jessica Schuon, or call Barb Greenzweig at 610-349-3545.Socks for SeniorsThe Socks for Seniors Project is in full swing once again for our fifth year, thanks to an article published by the Times News in 2012 which sparked interest in the community.Project coordinators Mary Ann Dulaney and daughter Jessica Kutza, with the assistance of 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.“These are simple inexpensive products that most don’t consider special gifts, but do make a difference. Soft tissues are a favorite among many,” Kutza said. “A lot of these items are on sale now and can easily be picked up while you are shopping for the holidays.”Socks for Seniors is a nationwide service project that supports individual efforts to hold sock drives in local communities. Founded by Jamie Coyne in Columbus, Ohio, this was to ensure that all seniors, even those without family members, would have a gift to open at the holidays.New, unwrapped items can be dropped off at the following locations:Coaldale: Tommy’s Restaurant, Angela Triplex TheatreLansford: Sports Zoo, Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, JJ’s Hair & Tanning, Cynthia’s Cynful StylesSummit Hill: Hiles Brothers, Midas Touch Hair SalonNesquehoning: Classic BeverageJim Thorpe: Mauch Chunk 5 & 10Lehighton: Beacon 443Tamaqua: Dr. Puddu’s office, AAA, M&S HardwareDrop off new, unwrapped items at a local drop-off box. The 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.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.Call the office at 610-826-1163 or Darlene Nothstein at 610-826-7339.Turn To UsTurn To Us is a grass roots organization that serves Carbon County and the surrounding areas. The mission is to advocate for people and their families impacted by major and chronic illnesses by offering personalized assistance and connection to resources in a hopeful and compassionate environment. The assistance is free and they do not have age, financial or specific disease requirements. Some services include emotional support, financial assistance through gas gift cards, and making memories. Turn To Us believes no one should walk this path alone. They fill in the gaps where other organizations fall short.Wish list:1. Stamps2. Store bought or homemade thinking of you, holiday and birthday cards to distribute to local hospitals and clients3. Restaurant and gas gift cards to provide to clients as they travel for treatment.Donations can be dropped off at Turn To Us, 404 Center St., Jim Thorpe, PA 18229. For more information or questions, call Alicia at 570-732-4220, visit

www.turntousinc.com or Facebook.com/TurnToUs.Feed the People• For our Fun Zone where children do crafts and play games after dinner: Construction paper and white paper, water color paint, clay, colored pencils, markers, games.• For our food service area: Can goods, juice drinks, water, paper products, plastic wear, cleaning items, donations of ham and turkey for the holidays are truly appreciated.• Gift cards (gas, Walmart, Kmart, Boyers, Redners)• Volunteers to help, especially for holidays.Contact 570-657-1480 to prearrange drop-off at St. John Evangelist Lutheran Church, 1 E. Abbott St., Lansford, or pickup.Tamaqua Area Adult Day Care CenterCurrently in need of the following:• Coloring books• Word search books• Plastic 5-ounce cups• Styrofoam cups• Small and large paper plates• Baby wipes• Dish cloths and towels• Colored chalk• Washable paints• Colored pencils• Crayons• Construction paper300 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, PA 18252;

www.facebook.com/TAADCC; 570-668-6556Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving Carbon CountyWe are in need of board members and help with our annual fundraiser, Bowl For Kids Sake, to be held March 25, 2017, at Fritz’s Lanes in Lehighton. The wish is for team members and sponsors of the bowlers, or you can be lane sponsor for $100, pin partner for $50 or friend of Big Brothers Big Sisters for $25. Donations may be sent to:Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving Carbon CountyP.O. Box 1285, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703-1285.Send your wish list to

tneditor@tnonline.com.