It is Thanksgiving weekend and most of you will be starting the holiday shopping and making preparations for the Christmas season.
I realize this will sound corny, but I truly wish for peace worldwide and especially for our country. Please remember we are still at war and there are men and women far from home who need to know we support them. Please donate to the USO, to the care packages or remember the family of an active duty soldier with kindness.
For some families that may have only enough to exist day to day, the holiday season will bring more pain. Put a new unwrapped toy in a Marine Corps Toys for Tots donation box, or donate cash to buy toys for those children who may not have a Christmas.
Many of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legions and Marine Corps detachments conduct food drives to benefit military families in the post home area. It is a very simple thing to donate a few canned goods or nonperishable items to these small local drives.
After a nasty and what seemed like an eternal election season, I am looking forward to the Christmas season. I also look forward to seeing my favorite Christmas commercials such as Santa riding the floating Norelco razor heads over the snow. (Gave my age away on that one.) On this Black Friday when shopping becomes the national sport, I wish you a very Merry Christmas with hope that spreading cheer will include your support of our military 
 
Burton Legion plays host to Santa and crafters
Burton American Legion Post 459 Auxiliary will host Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the post home, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for children ages 6 to 12; and free for children ages 5 and younger.
The Ladies Auxiliary will present the 12th Annual Santa’s Collection Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the post. Unique gifts, crafts and toys from area crafters will be for sale. For table information, call Carol at 440-834-4532. All proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund.
 
Country Lights military family night
Lake Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners will honor Lake County military families with free admission (immediate families only) to Country Lights at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12. Advanced registration is required and tickets are limited. Tickets include the Toy Workshop. Please call Farmpark admissions at 440-256-2158 to reserve tickets by Dec. 5. A Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System card is required at time of admission.
 
Toys for Tots donation point
Dr. Stephen Carosello DDS Inc., 9500 Mentor Ave., suite 280 in  Mentor, will accept donations of new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Toys drop-offs may be made 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
 
Christmas stockings for the troops
Operation Christmas Stocking will continue through Wednesday. Visit any of the DeJohn Funeral Homes and pick up a Christmas stocking. Take the stocking home, decorate it and then fill it with items that can be shipped to our troops abroad in time for Christmas. For details, call 440-516-5555.
 
‘Fill the Cruiser’ returns to Fairport VFW
Fairport Harbor VFW Post 7754 and the Fairport Harbor Police Department will host the Community Christmas Party and the annual “Fill the Cruiser” event at the post, 540 New St. in Fairport Harbor.
Help fill the police cruiser with donations of new unwrapped toys, then join the activities inside. There will be games, crafts, music, prizes and visits from special guests.
Photos with Santa will be 2 to 4 p.m. and a visit from Jungle Terry will begin at 4. The event also will feature a remote broadcast by country station WKKY-FM 104.7.
 
Pearl Harbor Day service in Burton
A Pearl Harbor Day memorial service will be 11 a.m. Dec. 7 at the Burton Village Gazebo on Burton Square. For details, call 440-834-8764.

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.