Holiday Gift Drive

The Children’s Home Society of Florida is hosting its annual holiday gift drive. The drive will provide gifts to nearly 1,000 children and teenagers in foster care. You can learn more about how you can help by calling 904-493-7738 or myra.simmons@chsfl.org.

Food for Fines Program

The St. Johns County Public Library System is offering patrons the chance to resolve overdue fines and help those in need. Library staff will accept non-perishable food items in lieu of overdue library fines through January 5, 2013. All donations will be delivered to the St. Johns County food closet. Up to $1 in overdue fines will be resolved. If you do not owe a fine, you can still donate at any branch or bookmobile stop. For more information, go to www.sjcpls.org or call 904-827-6925.

Food Drive

Through December 21st, The Artist Series is hosting a food drive to support Second Harvest North Florida. The most requested items are canned fruits, vegetables and beans, canned meat/protein-tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter, pasta, soups Mac n Cheese, cereal and breakfast bars. The food should be in plastic bags and it can be dropped off at the Times Union Center.

Hippodrome Theatre Holiday’s Productions

You can get in the holiday spirit at the Hippodrome in Gainesville. The theatre will open the holiday season with its annual production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and A Tuna Christmas. A Tuna Christmas has been a fan favorite for 9 years. The show opens on Friday at 7:30 p.m. It will be on stage Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. through December 23.  Tickets can be purchased by call the box office at 352-375-HIPP or online at www.thehipp.org.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Ripley’s Believe It or Not wants to give you a chance to enjoy some holiday fun from around the world. Beginning Monday, the attraction will be offering half-off admission for Florida residents. This includes the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! St. Augustine Odditorium, Ripley’s Red Trains, Ripley’s Ghost Train Adventure, and Bayfront Mini-Golf. This deal runs through Friday, December 21.

Suwannee Lights Christmas Extravaganza

The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park will host the Suwannee Lights Christmas Extravaganza this month. You and your family can take this driving tour that leads to a walking tour, a crafts village with its gift shops, Santa and his elves and hot chocolate.  Suwannee Lights is open nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Christmas Eve. Admission Sunday through Thursday is $6 per adult and $2 per child ages 4-12 years old, children under 3 are free. Friday and Saturday’s admission charge is $8 per adult and $2 per child, per child 4-12 years old; children under the age of 3 are free. For more information, go to www.musicliveshere.com.

Holiday Food Drive

Krantz Dental Care is hosting a holiday food drive for the homeless.  The office is collecting non-perishable food. It can be brought to the office at 12058 San Jose Boulevard, Suite 102 through December 21st between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to www.krantzdentalcare.com.

Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings

Limelight Theatre in St. Augustine presents the holiday musical Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings beginning Friday night. This play is about the Forever Plaid Boys, who are back in action when the heavenly Rosemary Clooney calls on them to sing. The show will play on the Matuza Main Stage through January 6. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.limelight-theatre.org.