Celebrate the Season of Giving By Supporting Our Local Nonprofits

As we head into the holidays, it's important to count our blessings while spending precious time with family and friends. In the spirit of the season, why not consider volunteering in your community — whether it's by supporting a local nonprofit, or donating food, time or gifts to families and individuals who are less fortunate.

Giving back can be one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself this season. Not only is it fulfilling, but it's also a great way to connect with community, meet new people, and positively impact your perspective on life.

The following are a few local nonprofits hosting events this season:

The 7th Annual Rock’n Our Disabilities “Very Merry Christmas” event will take place from noon until 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds. Guests will enjoy dinner, pictures with Santa, cooking decorating and face painting. The event will take place inside the Desert Valley Hospital Building at the Fairgrounds, located at 14800 7th Street in Victorville. For more information, call Rock’n Our Disabilities at (760) 998-2241.

High Desert Second Chance is hosting its annual Christmas Winter Wonderland event from 5-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19. Guests will enjoy music, photo booths, free popcorn, hot dogs, pictures with Santa, and more. Registered families will receive gifts and dinner boxes. The event is located at 16666 Smoke Tree Street, Building B4, in Hesperia. For more information, please call 442-267-4444.

The Phelan Chamber of Commerce's Angel Tree Program has kicked off in the Tri-Community, providing children of lower income families with gifts from local businesses, organizations and individuals. Angel Trees are decorated with paper angels which have the first name, age, and gender of a child in need of presents. Donors remove one or more "Little Angels" from the tree and purchase appropriate gifts for the child. Angel Trees are located in local businesses throughout the Tri-Community, including Desert Community Bank (Phelan & Wrightwood), Coldwell Banker Home Source, Pizza Factory, Mama Maria’s, Mills Hardware, Rick's Roadside Cafe and the Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District Office. Gifts must be returned by Thursday, Dec. 8, and Santa will present the gifts to families on Dec. 17. For more information, please call 760-835-9006, email kathy_hoffman@cbhomesource.com or visit PhelanChamber.info

The High Desert Association of Realtors will present a “Merry Christmas Party and Toy Drive” from 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. Enjoy music, refreshments, hot cider and desserts. Please bring a $20 unwrapped toy to benefit the Christmas Cops and Kids Project. To RSVP, please call 760-244-8841 or email Valerie@HDAOR.com

San Bernardino County Fire Department is hosting "Spark of Love" at County fire stations throughout the First District. The campaign collects new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for underserved children and teens, and then distributes them to local nonprofits. Trona's Spark of Love fundraiser takes place from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Trona Fire Station. Phelan’s Spark of Love “Fill the Boot” event is planned from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Phelan Rite Aid Parking Lot. For more information, go to sbcfire.co/SparkOfLove

A Greater Hope's annual Holiday of Hope Toy Drive for our foster children is underway. With your help, hundreds of children will receive a gift this holiday season. Host a toy collection box at your work, church or donate a toy to a child in need. Visit AGHope.org or contact Amanda Bell at abell@aghope.org or 760-979-7516 to learn more. You can also call 760-243-3999, drop off toys at Wrightwood Brew Co. in Wrightwood, or visit them at 14344 Cajon Ave., Suite 102, Victorville.

AMR's "Fill the Ambulance" event happens this weekend, Dec. 10 and 11, at all Victorville fire stations, Desert Valley Hospital, Panera Bread in Victorville, Oggi's in Apple Valley, Perks Coffee in Apple Valley and Sterling Inn in Victorville. They will also be at the Jolly Holiday Craft Fair from 10-4 this weekend at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds in Victorville. Participants are asked to donate new clothes, toys, teen gifts, health and beauty items, or gift cards. For more information, call 760-952-7418 or email Suzanne.Harrower@gmr.net

Family Assistance Program is seeking nominations for families to “adopt” during the holidays. If you would like to adopt a local family, contact Sylvia Romo at 760-442-0649 or sylvia@familyassist.org