You can make a big impact on the community this holiday season by volunteering to ring a bell at a Salvation Army red kettle at Publix and Winn Dixie locations across Jacksonville. Funds raised through the kettles stay local and help those in the most need with food, shelter, clothing, and emotional/spiritual support. Contact Kettle Coordinator Kathy DeSiena at (904) 301-4852, [email protected], or text JaxKettle to 41444 to sign up.

Through Dec. 15 at a variety of drop-off locations, including:

The Law Offices of John M. Phillips, 4230 Ortega Blvd.; Edible Arrangements, 3651 St. Johns Ave.; Duval Motor Company, 1616 Casset Ave.; Hassell Commercial Insurance, 4250 Lakeside Dr.; Edward Jones Investments, 4466 Hendricks Ave.; Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Cemetery and Funeral Home, 4801 San Jose Blvd.; Sherwood’s, 1105 San Marco Blvd.; Thigpen Heating & Cooling, 2801 Dawn Rd.

Join the U.S. Marine Corps in the annual Toys for Tots drive to collect new, unwrapped toys for needy children. Last year toys were given to more than 15,000 Jacksonville-area children. Visit jacksonville-fl.toysfortots.org for more information or additional drop-off locations.

This program is for children birth to 5 years with an adult caregiver. The program includes stories, books, fingerplays, nursery rhymes, and songs that promote language development, vocabulary building, and comprehension.

This is an ongoing class that meets every Friday for all artists levels. The class will focus on pastels, materials and techniques.

Students will work from a live model and still life setups on a rotating basis using various types of soft pastels and supports. Check our website for the recommended supply list.

Questions can be directed to Kevin Arthur @ 904-327-7439

The Revivals host First Friday at the Buckland House for hands-on luminaria kit-making; adult beverages provided.

Free community event: Attendees are invited to enjoy activities for all ages including: pictures with Santa, making holiday cards for Operation Gratitude, decorating Christmas ornaments, hot chocolate and cookie decorating.

You can make a big impact on the community this holiday season by volunteering to ring a bell at a Salvation Army red kettle at Publix and Winn Dixie locations across Jacksonville. Funds raised through the kettles stay local and help those in the most need with food, shelter, clothing, and emotional/spiritual support. Contact Kettle Coordinator Kathy DeSiena at (904) 301-4852, [email protected], or text JaxKettle to 41444 to sign up.

Activities include hay rides, children’s games and crafts, the Maple Leaf Divers, Mandarin frogs for sale, Community Acoustic Jam (1-3 p.m.)

Visit www.mandarinmuseum.net or call (904) 268-0784 for details.

Come hear cool local people talking about their cool local projects, with refreshments provided by cool local coffee shops (and the Friends of the Willowbranch Library)!  This month we’ll hear from Nadine Terk, co-founder of the Civic Orchestra of Jacksonville, about starting a non-profit classical music orchestra. Special guest clarinetist Molly Sweet will play excerpts from Fiddler on the Roof, to be performed at the Civic Orchestra’s December 11 concert.

The annual event kicks off the holiday with fun for all ages. Live music, games, and more, the block party is sponsored by the Avondale merchants’ association.