LAURA STULL, Lawrence, drops in a donation while Salvation Army volunteer Arvelle Trotter, Lawrence, rings the bell at Dillons, 3000 W. Sixth St., in this December 2005 file photo. The Salvation Army seeks volunteers to help with this year's fundraising drive. For more information, call Donnie Hornberger at 843-4188, ext. 102.

The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends, but reaching out to strangers in need is a heart-warming way to share the spirit of the season. Here are some volunteer and donation opportunities, compiled by Margaret Perkins-McGuinness with the Roger Hill Volunteer Center.

Salvation Army and Toys for Tots Christmas Toy Shop

Volunteers are needed to sort and display items Dec. 13-15. Volunteers also are needed to assist clients in choosing toys and clothing Dec. 8-20. Contact Donnie Hornberger at 843-4188, ext. 102

Douglas County Senior Services

DCSS is selling Jingle Jars this holiday season to benefit the Adult Day Program. Jars are filled with ingredients to make baked goods, soups and drinks, and are available in three sizes: half-pint ($3), pint ($5) and quart ($10). For more information, contact DCSS at 842-0543.

Salvation Army holiday bell ringers

Bell ringer volunteers are needed through Dec. 24 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. for a minimum of two-hour shifts. Businesses, church groups, clubs, scout troops, neighborhood groups, families and individuals are invited to volunteer. For more information, call Donnie Hornberger at 843-4188, ext. 102.

Kaw Valley Center’s Holiday Party

KVC will host a holiday party for children served by the agency on Dec. 15. Volunteers are needed to help decorate for the party and to photograph the children with Santa Claus. Stocking stuffers or small gifts are needed. Contact Lydia Diebolt at 331-4200, ext. 6620

FROM LEFT, West Junior High School students Stefan Kuczera, Lucas Smith and Lilly Cottrell load some of the more than 500 canned food items that their seventh-grade class gathered in a food drive in this November 2005 file photo. Food pantries especially need nonperishable donations this time of year. Grocery store gift cards make good donations, too.

Lawrence Community Shelter Holiday Gift Program

LCS needs donations of gift items such as AA batteries, strollers, newborn clothing, diapers, camping gear, deodorant, razors, shampoo and shaving cream. Other items needed include socks, gloves, knit hats, blankets and coats. Call Diane Morgan at 832-8864 for more information and to request a wish list.

Lawrence Arts Center Children’s Holiday Shop

The Lawrence Arts Center needs volunteers for the Children’s Holiday Shop, which will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9. Volunteers will work as “elves” to accompany the children into the shop and help them chose their gifts. Volunteers also are needed to wrap gifts for the children after purchase. Additional volunteers are needed to support the project by directing guests to the appropriate stations of the holiday shop. To volunteer, please contact Noelle Uhler at the Lawrence Arts Center, 843-2787 or lacdev@sunflower.com.

Gift donation and holiday adoption programs

Adopt a Family, coordinated by the Holiday Bureau

The following agencies participate in this communitywide program coordinated by the Holiday Bureau. Participating families receive a holiday meal and a gift for each family member. Donors may adopt an individual or family, or make a financial donation to the program. To adopt a family or donate, please contact any one of the following agencies:

Ballard Community Center, 842-0729

ECKAN, 841-3357

Penn House, 842-0440

Pelathe Center, 841-7202

Salvation Army, 843-4188

Donations for children

The following agencies serve children and teenagers and welcome donations for youth holiday gifts. Clothing, toys, books, gift certificates for groceries, diapers and school supplies are needed:

Mother to Mother: Barbara Katz Ndao, 841-0838

Boys and Girls Club: Roger Ross or Janet Murphy, 841-6854, ext. 2003

Kaw Valley Center: Lydia Diebolt, 331-4200, ext. 6620

Adopt a child:

You can make the season bright for children living in foster care or group home settings by donating gifts such as clothing, toys, CDs, gift certificates, books or school supplies. Gift items for teens also are needed. Donors can be matched with a child or be given a child’s wish list:

Kaw Valley Center: Lydia Diebolt at 331-4200, ext. 6620

Achievement Place for Boys: Roxanna Sarraf at 843-5560

The Villages: Diane Schulz at (785) 267-5900

Women’s Transitional Care Services Adopt a Family

WTCS’s Holiday Adopt-a-Family Program provides food, clothing and other necessities to women and children who are in danger as a result of domestic violence. Contact WTCS at 865-3956 for more information.

Adopt a Grandparent

Douglas County Senior Services’ Adopt a Grandparent Program is looking for caring volunteers to pair with a senior and provide at least one item from his or her wish list and a grocery certificate. To adopt a grandparent for the holidays, please contact Janet Ikenberry at 842-0543, ext 110.

Douglas County AIDS Project

DCAP serves people living with HIV/AIDS between the ages of 6 and 66. Donations of holiday gifts, certificates for gasoline and food are needed. Contact Gerald Downs at 843-0040, ext.2

Community holiday meals

Salvation Army Homeless Holiday Dinner

The Salvation Army seeks volunteers to assist with setup, serving and cleanup for a holiday dinner for the homeless Dec. 6. To volunteer, please contact Susan Dalberg at 843-4188, ext. 105, or by e-mail at susan_dalberg@usc.salvationarmy.org.

Salvation Army Shelter Christmas Party

The Salvation Army seeks volunteers to assist with the Shelter Christmas Party on Dec. 24. To volunteer, please contact Liz Coleman at 843-4188, ext. 106, or by e-mail at susan_dalberg@usc.salvationarmy.org or liz_coleman@usc.salvationarmy.org.

Free Community Holiday Dinner

The Free Community Holiday Dinner is served on Christmas Day at First United Methodist Church. Pies are needed. Contact Brower Burchill, 843-9199, for more information.

Lawrence Community Shelter Christmas Breakfast

LCS will be hosting a hot breakfast for the homeless on Christmas morning. Food dishes and volunteers are needed to assist. For more information or to volunteer, please call Loring Henderson at 832-8864.

Food pantries:

Food pantries are in great need of donations, especially during the holiday season. To donate nonperishable items or grocery store gift cards, please contact any one of the following local food pantries:

ECKAN: 841-3357

Ballard Center: 842-0729

Pelathe Center: 841-7202

Penn House: 842-0440

The Salvation Army: 843-4188

Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry: 843-6166