Charity Calendar: Lynden company’s annual turkey drive aims to help 200 families | Bellingham Herald

Nov. 30

Donation drive for Veterans Assistance Dogs

9 a.m., Mattress Discounters, 1315 Bakerview Road; by donation. Veterans dogs assist active and retired military members who have sustained injuries, such as head wounds, hearing loss and amputations. The highly skilled dogs are trained to perform everyday tasks that can help a veteran regain independence and put his or her life together, helping with such tasks as opening doors, turning on lights and alerting them to alarms. Details: mattressdiscountersdogs.com.

Toy drive for Foster Kids

9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sleep Country USA, 4229 Meridian St. 360-756-1214. Sleep Country USA is hosting its Secret Santa Toy Drive to ensure each child wakes up with a gift on Christmas morning. You too can become a Secret Santa by donating new, unwrapped gifts to any Sleep Country store until Dec. 14.

Turkey Drive

8 a.m.-5 p.m., Snapper Shuler Kenner Insurance, 501 Front St. Donations suggested 360-354-4488 Snapper Shuler Kenner Insurance’s annual turkey drive is seeking to help more than 200 local families this holiday season. SSK Insurance, with offices in Lynden and Bellingham, is matching through Dec. 12 contributions of $15 for each turkey that a person or business wishes to donate, up to the first 100 turkeys. The turkeys will be distributed to families in need by Bellingham Food Bank and Lynden’s Project Hope.

Dec. 5

Wine and Dessert Reception

7-9 p.m., Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., Lynden. $10 advance, $15 day of show. 360-354-3600. Benefit for Lynden Downtown Business Association’s holiday promotions. Winners of the holiday baking contest will be announced, and their desserts will be available for tasting. Price includes dessert and one glass of wine or coffee. Enjoy live music and other activities.

Blaine Friends Holiday Book Sale

10 a.m.-6 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 Third St. 360-305-3600. The annual Friends of the Blaine Library book sale coincides with Blaine’s Holiday Harbor Lights festival. Proceeds support library programs and services. Continues 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6.

Festival of Trees

11 a.m. The Leopold, 1224 Cornwall Ave.; Winter Wonderland Walk - free. Gala on Dec. 6 ($50); 360-733-6714 The Health Support Center hosts its annual holiday fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 6. The Winter Wonderland Walk is free and features uniquely themed, hand-decorated Christmas trees for viewing, plus live music, from noon to 7 p.m. Friday. All ages are welcome. The center’s gala dinner and auction is 6:30 to 9:30 Saturday with entertainment by Bellingham Strolling Strings. Tickets, $50, include baron-of-beef dinner, beer and wine. There also will be a silent auction, a dessert dash and a live auction of the display trees. Details: healthsupportcenter.org.

Annual Aerial Showcase

8 p.m., Bellingham Circus Guild, 1401 Sixth St. $8-$12. Aerial acts performed throughout 2014 by members of Bellingham Circus Guild are presented in an action-packed, gravity-defying show that benefits the guild. All-ages shows at 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 7 p.m. Dec. 6; cabaret show for people 21 and older at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

Annual Homemade Arts & Crafts Christmas Bazaar

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 Blaine Senior Center, 763 G St., Blaine. 360-332-8040 Visits with Santa on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; lunch available. Proceeds benefit the Blaine Senior Center.

Dec. 6

NWFR and WCFD4 Santa Run

9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Whatcom County Fire District No. 4, 4142 Britton Loop. 360-318-9933. Firefighters and fire trucks from North Whatcom Fire and Rescue and Fire District No. 4 will escort Santa and make stops throughout the district. The district is collecting toys, food and cash to support Whatcom County Project Santa Claus. Enjoy hot cider and candy canes and take pictures with Santa.

Holiday Tree Lighting

4 p.m.-6 p.m., Hotel Bellwether, 1 Bellwether Way, Bellingham. 360-392-3100. Join Hotel Bellwether for trees decorated by local businesses, pictures with Santa, hot apple cider and festive music. Bring a food or monetary donation to Dorothy Place and receive a ballot to vote on your favorite holiday tree. Ballots will later be entered in a raffle to win one night stay in the Signature Lighthouse Suite.

Whatcom Literacy Council Shopping Day

10 a.m.-6 p.m., Launching Success Learning Store, 133 Prince Ave. 360-527-2641 Whatcom Literacy Council is having a shopping fundraiser. Launching Success will donate 10 percent of the value of your purchases to the the organization.

The Coats Holiday Concert

7:30 p.m., Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham. $20; 360-676-6575 National touring artists and Seattle a cappella group The Coats return to Bellingham High School with their holiday concert. Known for tightly arranged interactive performances, The Coats’ seamless blend of music and comedy moves audiences to outbursts of laughter as well as joyful tears. The Coats are also known for their generous commitment to music programs at regional high schools and colleges. Their upcoming concert will again be a major fundraiser for the BHS choir program. BHS Showstoppers, Sehome High School Chamber Choir and Squalicum High School Storm Singers will open the concert with short performances.

Dec 9

Bellingham Beer for African Water

5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Aslan Brewing Co., 1330 N. Forest St. $20 360-778-2088 Please join the Northwest WA Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders for a fundraiser. Drink locally brewed, organic beer, support a local business, and donate to the Clean Water supply project for the rural African community of Kiritiri, Kenya.