From left, Marty Goetz. Carol Lynn Dubovi, Gladys Novak, Jeannette DeLuca and Lois Peeples wait Monday to start their Angel Tree drive. With the holiday season in full swing, many organizations, agencies and businesses are asking for donations to help the needy.

Those feeling charitable this season don't have to look far.

Multiple groups, businesses and agencies are collecting donations for those in need.

As well as helping the needy, gifts also can support causes that further local education and culture.

Following is a sampling of potential donation recipients:

HARMONY — The Giving Tree at the Harmony Museum is a live Christmas tree trimmed by individuals, families and businesses who make tax-deductible donations supporting museum improvements and activities.Each $10 gift designated to Historic Harmony places an ornament bearing the donor's name on the tree in the garden next to the museum's Mercer Street entrance.Donations may be sent to Giving Tree, Historic Harmony, Box 524, Harmony, PA 16037.

JEFFERSON TWP — Every Christmas, Concordia Lutheran Ministries strives to give at least one gift to all of the 400-plus residents in the Lund and Oertel Care Centers. Employees contribute many of the gifts, and local churches, organizations and community members are invited to donate gifts or adopt a resident.Those interested in donating should call the Concordia activities department at 724-352-1571, Ext. 8241 or Ext. 8302 by December 13. Gift suggestions are available. The gift-giving parties for skilled nursing and assisting living residents will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 17.Donated items should not be wrapped and may be dropped off at the Oertel Care Center, entrance #1, or Lund Care Center, entrance #4. If it is after hours or on the weekend and the administration area is closed, leave items at a nurse's station.Monetary contributions are always appreciated and should be sent to the Concordia Development Office, 134 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023. Call 724-352-1571, Ext. 8363 for more information.

The Caring Angel Program started in 1992 as a holiday fundraising event that supported children's services provided by Butler Memorial Hospital. The community-supported effort now raises nearly $100,000 annually toward emergency room care to uninsured children; supporting Family Services of BMH to help needy families and children in need through educational, therapeutic and support services; and supporting the BMH Recovery Project for recovering young addicts.Contributions to the program may be sent to the to the Butler Health System Foundation, One Hospital Way, Butler, PA 16001.For information call the Butler Health System Foundation at 724-284-4716.

Since 1985, The Mental Health Association of Butler County has raised money for patients at the Torrance State Hospital through Operation Reindeer.The MHA is accepting gifts and financial contributions, which can be delivered to its offices at 140 N. Elm St. Items must be delivered by Dec. 6.Gift suggestions are available. lThose wishing to celebrate Christmas Dec. 11 at the hospital in Blairsville will assemble at 10 a.m. in the MHA parking lot. The bus will return at 5 p.m.To reserve a spot or for more information, call 724-287-4083.

BUTLER TWP — The American Red Cross benefits victims of natural and man-made disasters, works with service members and their families and provides comfort to those in need.The Red Cross also provides 45 percent of lifesaving blood and blood products in the nation.Volunteers will operate a gift wrapping table from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 18 at Borders in Clearview Mall, 101 Clearview Circle, in exchange for donations to benefit the American Red Cross.For information, call 724-283-2810 or visit www. butlerredcross.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County hosts an annual Christmas party for children served by the program and their mentors.One of the oldest and largest youth mentoring programs in the United States, Big Brothers Big Sisters aims to make an impact on children through one-to-one relationships with mentors.The agency is accepting monetary donations and gifts for more than 50 children who will attend the Dec. 14 holiday party with their mentors.For information, call program director Corinne Coulson at 724-287-4733.

Catholic Charities assists between 350 and 450 young people each holiday season through its Angel Tree Program.The organization provides donors with a child's name, age and gender and wish list.Churches and civic groups often have a live tree trimmed with potential recipients' names and many donations come from private individuals.Between 30 and 40 families typically benefit from Adopt a Family, which operates in much the same way. Toys, clothing and even holiday meal ingredients are accepted.To give, call 724-287-4011 or visit www.ccpgh.org.

Community Care Connections provides a Caring Tree to fulfill the holiday wish lists of more than 50 families. Gifts for special needs children and adults also are accepted.Donations of personal care items, paper products and cleaning supplies are accepted.Community Care Connections provides services to about 750 people in Butler County who are mentally or physically handicapped.For information, call 724-283-3198 or visit www.communitycareconnect.org.

Glade Run Lutheran Services provides Christmas gifts to more than 2,000 children and families each holiday season.The greatest need is for adolescent and young adult gifts.Donations of gift cards and volunteer hours also are appreciated.For information, call 724-452-4453 ext. 1277, visit www.gladerun.org or e-mail cmartin@gladerun.org.

MIDDLESEX TWP — The Lighthouse Foundation coordinates a toy drive that benefits more than 300 families in Butler and the surrounding areas.The program focuses on fulfilling the specific wish lists of small children.For information, call 724-898-4673 or visit www.thelighthouseonline.net.

BUTLER TWP —Lifesteps hosts a Spirit Tree that serves about 100 children each year. Wish lists are provided to donors, and there is a special need for gifts for teenagers, especially girls.Lifesteps serves children up to age 18 and people with special needs.For information, call 724-283-1010 or visit www.lifesteps.net.

The Paul Laurence Dunbar Community Center hosts an annual Christmas party where donated gifts are distributed. New and gently used items are accepted.A Christmas “Common Shop” is available where families and browse and select items at no cost.For information, call 724-287-5648 or visit www.dunbarcenter.org.

The St. Vincent DePaul Society on North Monroe Street serves about 2,200 people monthly with its food bank and close to 86 families through its client services office, which provides utilities assistance, clothing vouchers and some rental assistance.The society also is collaborating with the Butler Rotary Club this year to provide holiday food baskets to more than 450 families.To donate to client services, call 724-287-3994. For information about donating food, call 724-431-2842.

The Salvation Army coordinates an Adopt a Family program, a Treasures for Children program for those birth to age 12 and Treasures for Seniors for those over 65.Those interested may call the office to sponsor a specific individual or donate general items like board games, clothing or fruit baskets that often appear on wish lists.About 350 family applications are accepted, which can include between 600 and 900 children.Donations are accepted until Dec. 20.For information, call 724-287-5532.

Toys for Tots serves more than 2,000 children each year in Butler County and neighboring areas.The program accepts gifts for children 12 and under and often handles referrals from other programs whose registration has closed.The greatest need is for adolescent gifts. For information, call 724-841-0431 or visit www.butlerpatoysfortots.oef.

VOICe (Victim Outreach Intervention Center) serves all active clients during the holiday season and hosts an Adopt a Family program.There is a special need for gifts for older children and adults.For information, call 724-776-5910 or visit www.voiceforvictims.com.

RICHLAND TWP, Allegheny County — Presents for Patients is a community outreach program of St. Barnabas Charities.Since its inception in 1984, the multistate program has matched more than 400,000 long-term care residents with a visitor from the community who takes a gift.Gift givers are provided with their resident's first name and three gift requests plus the facility contact information. Most gifts cost between $5 and $25.To participate, call 724-443-0011 or visit www.PRESENTSFORPATIENTS.com.