The holiday season is here, and many Butler County organizations will bring joy to families in need.

Although many gift drives target children 12 and younger, some, like The Lighthouse Foundation, accept gifts for adolescent children and teenagers.

“We serve up to 16 years of age,” said Dave Miller, communication coordinator for the Lighthouse Foundation. “We are always in demand of teen gifts.”

A representative from Toys for Tots, also looking for donations for teenagers, suggests CDs, craft sets, curling irons and hair straighteners for girls and sports equipment, fishing items and board games for boys.

Many groups, businesses and agencies are collecting monetary donations and gifts for people of all ages.

Below is a list of some organizations seeking help this winter.

JEFFERSON TWP — Every Christmas, Concordia Lutheran Ministries strives to give at least one gift to each of the 400-plus residents in the Lund and Oertel care centers, where gifts will be distributed at a Dec. 16 party.Those interested in donating gifts or adopting a resident should call the Concordia activities department at 724-352-1571, Ext. 8241 or Ext. 8302 by Dec. 9. Gift suggestions are available.Donated items should not be wrapped and may be dropped off at the Lund Care Center, entrance #4, or at a nurse's station if the administration area is closed.Monetary contributions may be sent to the Concordia Development Office, 134 Marwood Road, Cabot, PA 16023.Call 724-352-1571, Ext. 8363 for more information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County hosts an annual Christmas party for children served by the program and their mentors.The agency is accepting monetary donations and gifts for more than 50 children who will attend the Dec. 20 event.For information, call program director Corinne Coulson at 724-287-4733.

Bundle Up Butler is collecting coats, blankets, hats, gloves and other outerwear for those in need.There is a special need for men's hats; boy's coats, sizes 4T, 5T, 6, 7, 8/9, 12/14 and 16/18; boy's and girl's juniors, all sizes; and women's coats, sizes small, medium, large and 3X.Donations can be dropped off at the Center for Community Resources, 212-214 S. Main St., 724-431-0095; the Dunbar Center, 501 Fairground Hill Road, 724-287-5648; and Family Pathways, 100 Brugh Ave, Monarch Place, 724-284-9440.

With winter weather approaching, the Butler County Emergency Relief Fund needs monetary donations to help pay for utilities for those in need.Contributions can be made to Butler County Emergency Relief Initiative c/o United Way of Butler County 184 Pittsburgh Road, Butler, PA 16001.The group also is looking for security-trained volunteers to staff shelters and volunteers to help a caseworker who deals with the homeless. Training is provided to groups who want to mentor families just getting back on their feet or for those who want to provide assistance to caseworkers with families.

Now in its 20th year, The Caring Angel Program is a holiday fundraising program the benefits Butler Health System's children's services.The community-supported effort raises nearly $100,000 annually toward emergency room care to uninsured children; supporting Family Services of Butler Memorial Hospital to help needy families and children through educational, therapeutic and support services; and the hospital's Recovery Project for recovering young addicts.Contributions may be sent to the to the Butler Health System Foundation, One Hospital Way, Butler, PA 16001.For information, call 724-284-4716.

Catholic Charities assists 350 to 450 young people each season through its Angel Tree program.The organization provides donors with a child's name, age, 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 holiday meal ingredients are accepted.To give, call 724-287-4011 or visit www.ccpgh.org.

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

RICHLAND TWP — Allegheny Grille partners with the First Program of the A/C Valley Family Center to provide a Christmas party free to families who are in need this year. This year's party is set for Dec. 15.The restaurant is seeking toys, books and puzzles for children ages 1 to 12, food for the buffet, monetary donations and volunteers to wrap gifts, help shop for age-appropriate toys, set up and clean up.Donations can be mailed to The Allegheny Grille P.O. Box 362 Foxburg, PA 16036, earmarked Foxburg Kids Christmas Party.For more information, e-mail obaslifeboat@yahoo.comDonations can be made until Dec. 10.

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.Gift cards and volunteer hours are also appreciated.For information, call 724-452-4453, Ext. 1277, visit www.gladerun.org or e-mail cmartingladerun.org.

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.

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 of all ages.For information, call 724-283-1010 or visit www.lifesteps.net.

MIDDLESEX TWP — The Lighthouse Foundation coordinates a toy drive that benefits families served by its food bank.The program accepts gifts for newborns to 16 years old. It also accepts food and monetary donations for its food bank, which serves about 300 families.For information, call 724-898-4673 or visit www.thelighthouseonline.net.

Lizzy's Bikes provides bicycles to disadvantaged children.More than 100 bicycles and tricycles are available for children ages 2 to 10 whose families are economically unable to provide a bike.There are no income limits, but potential recipients must fill out an application at www.lizzysbikes.com or may call 724-779-4364 to request an application.Monetary donations can be sent to Kiwanis/Lizzy's Bikes, P.O. Box 1126, Mars, PA, 16046. Checks can be made out to Kiwanis Club/Lizzy's Bikes.

The Mental Health Association of Butler County raises 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. 8.Gift suggestions are available.Those wishing to celebrate Christmas on Dec. 10 at the hospital 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 or 724-287-1965.Paul Laurence Dunbar Community CenterThe 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” will be from Dec. 12 to Dec. 21 where families can browse and select items at no cost.For information, call 724-287-5648 or visit www.dunbarcenter.org.

Presents for Patients is a holiday program founded in 1984 by St. Barnabas President William Day.The community can participated by adopting patients and visiting them during the holiday season.The campaign matches interested donors with a patient at a nearby nursing facility. Donors are then sent their patient's information, including his or her three gift wishes.Donors are asked to purchase at least one of the items. Some also will donate money for a teddy bear or throw. Volunteer hours at the headquarters are also appreciated.For more information, call 724-444-5521 or visit www.PresentsforPatients.com.

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 older than 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. 15.For information, call 724-287-5532.

The St. Vincent DePaul Society 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.To donate, contact 724-287-3994 or visit the office at 146 N. Monroe St.

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 younger and often handles referrals from other programs whose registration has closed.The greatest need is for adolescent gifts.Gifts can be dropped off at donation sites throughout Butler County until Dec. 7.For information, call 724-841-0431 or visit www.butlerpatoysfortots.org.

The Victim Outreach Intervention Center, or VOICe, serves all active clients during the holiday season and hosts an Adopt a Family program.Gifts for children and adults can be donated through the week of Dec. 12.For more information, call 724-776-5910 or visit www.voiceforvictims.com.Organizations not listed that wish to be included in next year’s gift drive listing can send information next November to focus@butlereagle.com. For more information, call 724-282-8000, Ext. 253.<I></I>