Holiday Central: Your guide to helping those in need during the holiday season

Here's your weekly roundup of what local cities, schools and other community groups are doing to spread holiday cheer and promote a spirit of giving during the holiday season. The Salt Lake Tribune will publish an updated listing online each Thursday during the holiday season at www.sltrib.com, with new events for the week and an ongoing list for events — such as food drives or donation drop-offs — that don't have a deadline. To submit your event for consideration e-mail Melinda Rogers, Communities Editor, at mrogers@sltrib.com.

EVENTS

Help for Hurricane Sandy victims

Location • Safe Haven Private Vaults, 8675 S. 700 East, Sandy, 801-569-3000; and Lake City Custom Homes, 65 N. 300 East, American Fork, 801-499-1545

Description • A team of Utah entrepreneurs is collecting cash, blankets, clothes, diapers, canned goods and toys for delivery to families who were affected by the recent East Coast hurricane. The goods will be transported by trucks, while volunteers will fly there to deliver items thanks to the commitment of a national airline. To donate cash, visit www.supportfromutah.com.

Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run SLC

Location • Trolley Square (602 E. 500 South), Salt Lake City

Description • The Arthritis Foundation is hosting their annual 2012 Jingle Bell Run/Walk at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 1. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the race starts at 10 a.m. There are both timed and untimed 5k start times, a 1k Kids' Fun Run with elves, Elf Village and Santa's Workshop, and a holiday costume contest. To get involved or to form a team, visit www.slcjinglebellrun.org, or call 801-536-0990. Funds raised benefit the Arthritis Foundation.

Fundraiser to Benefit the Children's Justice Center at Joe's Crab Shack

Locations • Joe's Crab Shack: 7277 Plaza Center Drive, West Jordan and Joe's Crab Shack: 65 E. 9400 South, Sandy

Description • Children's Justice Center of Salt Lake County has teamed up with all the Utah locations of Joe's Crab Shack for the restaurant's annual "Give Back Night" to raise funds for child victims of crime. The fundraiser will be held on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to midnight. The Children's Justice Center serves more than 1,700 child victims of crime involving sexual abuse, physical abuse, child homicide, domestic violence related child abuse, abductions, and Shaken Baby Syndrome. The centers are located in neighborhood settings, decorated like "grandma's house" and designed to help children feel safe and comfortable during the interview process. Crisis intervention, advocacy, and referral services are provided to help the family cope with the aftermath of abuse. Customers who show up to any Joe's Crab Shack location in Utah with a "Give Back Night" certificate can help contribute to the child abuse cause, and a portion of the customers' bills will be donated to the Children's Justice Center at the end of the night.

Thanksgiving for Homeless Youth

Location • St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 261 S. 300 East

Description • PFLAG Salt Lake City will partner with Mormons Building Bridges to prepare a turkey dinner for the homeless youth of Salt Lake County. The meal will be served on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Erika Munsen, of Mormons Building Bridges, said many of Salt Lake City's homeless youth are gay kids from Mormon homes who feel they have no place to turn. The groups want to start the holiday season by helping serve the vulnerable population. Volunteers are needed to help prepare dishes for 15 people, and to serve meals. Donations to the event—including funds to cover the cost of turkeys—are also encouraged. To make a donation, please contact Janice Marcus via email at janicemarcus3834@comcast.net, or by phone at 801-688-2281.

U. Rally and food drive

Location • Smith's Food and Drug, 876 E. 800 South, Salt Lake City

When • Monday, Nov. 19, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Description • University of Utah Spirit Squad, Swoop and MUSS, the Mighty Utah Student Section will join with Smith employees to kick off a food drive for the Utah Food Bank. Food collection runs through Saturday, Nov. 24.

Coat drive for the Volunteers of America Homeless Youth Outreach Center

Location • Fresh Boutique, 870 E. 900 S., Salt Lake City

Description • Fresh Boutique wants to provide 100 new or gently used jackets to the VOA Homeless Youth Outreach Center by Dec. 22. The boutique is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Toy and clothing drive by the University of Utah College of Nursing

Location • College of Nursing, 10 S. 2000 East, Salt Lake City

Description • The University of Utah College of Nursing is collecting toys and clothing, hoping to support 1,000 Wasatch Front children with the Family Support Center. Items can be dropped off at the college from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday until Dec. 7. An angel tree in the college has tags with wishes from children. Checks need to be addressed to Santas Little Helpers and a donation form is available at the college for tax purposes.

The center suggests donating new children's underwear and socks, pull-up diapers, scooters, skateboards, bikes (new or used), art supplies, doodle boards, dry erase boards, play dough and sports balls. Also appreciated are cleaning supplies, wipes, blankets, clothing in all sizes, warm clothing, pajamas, bandages, Children's Tylenol and Motrin. More information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/415487258519096/

Holiday Fashion Show & Boutique Benefit for American Cancer Society

Location • McCune Mansion, 200 N. Main, Salt Lake City

Description • Join the McCarthey Family Foundation for a Holiday Fashion Show & Boutique at the McCune Mansion featuring clothing and accessories from The Children's Hour, original designs from Salt Lake Community College Fashion Institute designers, one-of-a-kind hand-painted silk scarves and hand-woven wool/silk shawls by Sandra Ence, and hand-crafted jewelry by Brianna Chamberlain; 10 percent of the boutique purchases will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Visit smithstix.com/events/item/root/holidayfashionshowbenefit for information. The event will be held Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.

United Way Young Leaders Collection for Guadalupe School and PAL Boxing Center

Location • Enterprise Rent-a-Car locations

Description • United Way of Salt Lake's Young Leaders are collecting items for the children at Guadalupe School and the PAL Boxing Center. Donations can be dropped off at Enterprise Rent-a-Car locations through Dec. 10. Donations can also be made via credit card online or by hosting a donation drive at your office. For Enterprise locations and other information, visit www.uw.org/news-events/events/make-the-holiday-season.html.

Forgotten Patient Christmas Project

Location • Utah State Hospital, 1300 E. Center St., Provo

Description • Help provide Christmas gifts for patients at the Utah State Hospital. Sponsors are given a name and information about a specific patient, allowing them to provide much needed items. If you are interested in taking a name or finding out more, please contact Shawna Peterson at 801-344-4254 or at speterson@utah.gov.

Elderly Utahns in the care of the Office of Public Guardian

Description • Elderly Utahns who live in nursing homes throughout Utah need a little holiday cheer, according to the Office of Public Guardian. Their needs are simple: sweats, hats, slippers, robes, shirts, pajamas and twin bedding items. The adults especially appreciate soft fleece blankets to keep the chill off their laps. Items are needed for men and women, in medium, large and extra-large sizes. Gift cards are also helpful. For more information, contact the office at 801-538-8255.

GOOD DEEDS

EMI Health, Murray

Volunteers from EMI Health delivered clothing to more than 100 children at Monroe Elementary School in West Valley City in November as part of the Assistance League of Salt Lake City's Operation School Bell program. Each child received a coat, jeans, socks and underwear, among other items. Each year more than 5,000 preschool, elementary and junior high children in Salt Lake, Granite, Murray, Jordan and Park City school districts return to the classroom with new parkas, jeans, sweatshirts, shirts, underwear, socks and shoes because of Operation School Bell.

Molina Healthcare

The company donated 200 turkeys to two local food banks, while the Salt Lake City's Urban Indian Center and Draper's Adventure Church in Draper hosted Thanksgiving dinner giveaways for families in need. —

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