The weather may be cold, but our community’s holiday spirit is as warm as ever. Here are some upcoming events that benefit others.

Mt. Lebanon Community Angel Tree

Nov. 10-Dec. 8:
Betsy’s Ice Cream

Grab a tag from the Angel Tree, donate an unwrapped gift valued at $20 or more and receive a $5 gift certificate for yourself. Toys go to the Salvation Army’s Treasures for Children Program.

Holiday Lights Run/Walk for Charity

Dec. 18:
Fleet Feet Sports Pittsburgh

This annual run/walk isn’t your cookie cutter run, but a self-guided tour through the lights and holiday sites of the city. It begins at the PPG Plaza Wintergarden in downtown Pittsburgh and participants can either run a 6-mile route or walk a shorter 4 miles. Participants are asked to make a donation to this year’s charity, Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund, and donations will be matched by store owner Bob Shooer.

Karen Harr, director of training programs at Fleet Feet Pittsburgh, says, “We want to break through the mystique that you have to be a runner to run.” The run/walk is aimed at helping the community connect with the outdoors, enjoy it, and in the meantime raise money for a worthy cause.

Compassion Connection Toy Treasures

Through Dec. 17:
You can also drop off new, unwrapped toys at Fleet Feet Sports Pittsburgh. A toy drive like many others, except “shoppers” affirm their worth by paying 10% of the retail value of gifts, according to the organization’s mission.

Toys for Tots

Through Dec. 9:
CrossFit Mt. Lebanon is collecting new, unwrapped gifts for Toys for Tots, collection box at 427 Washington Road.

Through Dec. 12:
MRTSA & The Mt. Lebanon Fire Department want to stuff an ambulance with new, unwrapped gifts. They’ll be collecting donations at the following three locations: Medical Rescue Team South on 315 Cypress Way, Mt. Lebanon Fire Department on 555 Washington Road and Mitchell’s Fish Market in the Galleria of Mt. Lebanon.

Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment Gift Cards

Available Year-Round:
Purchase a gift card for $25-$100 and your recipient gets to choose which Mt. Lebanon charity the money goes to, with a quick phone call to the Mt. Lebanon Community Endowment organization. To arrange purchase of the cards, email Ruby Kang at rkang@mtlebanonendowment.org or call 412-973-0222.

Coat Drive

Dec. 1-19:
The Mt. Lebanon Police Department is collecting winter coats for the Salvation Army. Coats can be dropped off in the collection box located in the Public Safety Building’s lobby.