The Herald-Sun is running a list of events that are aimed at helping others in our community this holiday season. If you would like your organization to be included, please e-mail the information, a contact name and phone number to nwykle@heraldsun.com. Put "helping for the holidays" in the subject line.

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Through Dec. 23, shoppers at The Gothic Bookshop on Duke University's West Campus can provide Durham children with the gift of reading through a "Share Your Holiday" fundraiser.

The fundraiser allows shoppers to give up their normal discount (10 percent off paperbacks and 20 percent off hardbacks) and donate the amount to First Book, a national nonprofit organization that provides new books to children in need.

To participate, customers must simply tell the cashier at the bookshop that they would like to donate their discount when ringing up their purchases.

Proceeds will benefit literacy programs in the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership. The newly established First Book-Duke University Campus Advisory Board will oversee the project.

For information, visit First Book at www.firstbook.org.

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Sisters with Soup and Sandwiches, 407 N. Maple St., will sponsor a free feed the community event on Christmas and New Year's Eve, starting at 4:30 p.m. each date until soup and sandwiches run out. Volunteers and donations are welcome.

For more information, call Carolyn Rogers at (919) 943-0908 or (919) 471-8763.

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Donate dog and cat toys for the shelter animals through Toys for Tails.

The dogs and cats at the shelter benefit so much from being given different toys every day. It can make such a positive difference in the time that they spend in the shelter.

The shelter needs lots of re-usable toys. Donate toys in one of the donation bins placed around Durham.

A list of drop-off locations, including the shelter, Petco, and a number of local vet's offices, can be viewed at http://www.apsofdurham.org/toys-for-tails/ or call 919-560-0640.

The APS of Durham/Durham County Animal Shelter is at 2117 E. Club Blvd. Durham, NC 27704.

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The Hillsborough Police Department welcomes help in giving a toy gift to each child who visits Santa and Mrs. Claus at the main station.

The Clauses will make their annual visit to the Police Department from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 17. Children will be able to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in the station's lobby and share their Christmas wishes. Each child will receive a toy.

Typically, about 60 to 70 children of all ages visit the police station each year for a chance to see Santa. Last year, about 200 children gave Santa their Christmas list.

The Police Department would appreciate donations of new, unwrapped toys to give to the children who visit. Toys for children of all ages may be donated, as teenagers and infants also often visit. No toy weapons or candy should be donated.

For information, call Cpl. Tereasa King at 732-2441 Ext. 26.

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St. John's Missionary Baptist Church, 917 Onslow St., will serve free Christmas dinner this year.

Christmas dinner will be served on Christmas Day -- Dec. 25 -- from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Anyone who would like to attend is asked to call (919) 286-0332 today.

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The Council for Senior Citizens is asking the community to donate food to help Durham seniors.

Donations can be dropped off at the Durham Center for Senior Life, 406 Rigsbee Ave.

The council maintains a food pantry, and all items donated will be distributed to needy seniors in Durham County.

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The sixth annual drive to "Blanket Orange County" runs through Dec. 21.

Donations of 300 blankets -- single/twin blankets preferred -- are sought for the homeless in Orange County.

Donors are asked to give gently used blankets they no longer need or cash to buy new blankets at $7 each.

Drop off locations include:

- Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, 106 South Estes Drive

- Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA, 980 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

- Meadowmont Club, 301 Old Barn Road, Chapel Hill

To give cash, make checks payable to Blanket Orange County and mail to Blanket Orange County, c/o Business Class Inc., P.O. Box 2037, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27515.

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Cribs for Kids of Durham is sponsoring a holiday crib drive. Sponsor a new crib for a Durham family in need.

Here's how:

- Donate a $50 tax deductible donation to Cribs for Kids of Durham.

- Families of newborns will receive a Pack-n-Play portacrib and receive safe-sleep training for SIDS reduction.

- You'll receive a holiday card and personal thank you note from a recipient family.

- Send sponsorship donations to: Child Parent Support Svcs. c/o Cribs for Kids, 411 W. Chapel Hill St. Durham, NC 27701.

Cribs for Kids of Durham is a nonprofit that provides free or low-cost cribs to parents of newborns to provide a safe sleep environments for infants and to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. To receive a crib, Durham parents must receive a professional referral, attend safe sleep training and provide a $10 co-pay for new cribs. One hundred percent of donations are used to purchase cribs.

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Dressbarn is partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program for the second year. The toy collection is taking place through Dec. 15.

Dressbarn is encouraging residents to donate new, unwrapped toys by giving customers who donate 15 percent off their purchase of a regular-priced item. All of the toys collected will be given to children in the community.

For more information, call Dressbarn, 1058 West Club Blvd (Northgate Mall), Suite No.115 in Durham, at (919) 416-1900.