CEYLON — Today the Helping Hands of Ceylon will have a lighting of the Giving Tree at 6 p.m. They will have the tree in the open space east of the old Peterson Café building. Hot Chocolate and Cookies will be available. They will collect money and toys and other donations for their special gifts event planned for Dec. 18. Children signed up and the parents will have an opportunity to pick out presents for them from 2 to 4 p.m. on the 18th at the back room of Lake Belt Bar and Grill.

The City of Ceylon is sponsoring a Lighting Contest for the holidays. Residents should be ready to show off their decorations by Dec. 16 which is the date they will be judged. There are prizes of credit on the utility bill for first place ($75) and second place ($50) and third place ($25). There will also be three honorable mentions ($10) with a utility credit prize. Thanks Ceylon City Council for helping residents beautify the town for the holidays.

Circle of Faith parishes will have services in Dec. at 9 a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Ceylon or at 10:30 a.m. at Waverly Lutheran Church north of Welcome. Area residents are welcome to join them.

The Red Cross blood drive will be at St. John Vianney Church on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 4 is also the date for the blood drive at Sinn Family Life Center in Trimont from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Call 800-red-cross (800-733-2767) or go online to www.redcrossblood.org or text BLOODAPP to 90999 to make an appointment or locate blood drives near you. There is an urgent need for blood so give if you are able.

Coffee Lovers meet 8:30 to 10 a.m. every Thursday morning in the back room of Lake Belt Bar and Grill. Area men and women are welcome to join them.