The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens invites guests to enjoy its annual Champagne & Shopping event from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, December 8 and 9, at the Cummer Shop. Guests will enjoy complimentary champagne and appetizers, all while shopping special artisan merchandise on display just for this two-day event. Admission is free and guests will enjoy a 20% discount on their entire purchase, in addition to regular Member discounts. Champagne & Shopping is the perfect opportunity to find unique gifts while supporting the Museum’s mission “to engage and inspire through the arts, gardens, and education.”

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 annual Community Nutcracker celebrates 25 years enchanting audiences of all ages. Patron Party and 25^th Anniversary Gala, Dec. 10, 9:30 p.m. at Jessie Ball duPont Center. Visit jaxnutcracker.org for tickets and more information.

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.

The annual Community Nutcracker celebrates 25 years enchanting audiences of all ages. Patron Party and 25^th Anniversary Gala, Dec. 10, 9:30 p.m. at Jessie Ball duPont Center. Visit jaxnutcracker.org for tickets and more information.

Are you a smart cookie? Test out your gingerbread man knowledge and bring the traditional story to life through readers’ theater, food crafting and more!

Luminaries light the way for runners and walkers in the holiday fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, petting zoo, bounce houses and a visit from Santa. Register at 1stplacesports.com