I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with family and friends who care, and you had love and fellowship to share.

Since Thanksgiving was so late this year, the Christmas season is already upon us. There are many opportunities to participate in the Christmas spirit of giving to others.

• Our Jackson Police Department is collecting toys and monetary donations for their annual toy drive. New, unwrapped toys for children 12 and under may be deposited in the boxes at the Police Department, City Hall and many businesses all around town. Checks should be made out to Jackson Police Department Toy Drive.

The boxes will be collected on Saturday. Toys will be distributed at the Elks Lodge at 9 a.m. Dec. 19. Children living in the Jackson R-2 School District are eligible. If you wish to participate, contact the Jackson Police Department at 243-3151.

• By the way, congratulations are in order as our Police Department has received Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) reaccreditation, one of only two agencies in this area to receive this international recognition.
• The Jackson Elks will be hosting the 29th annual Christmas baskets program to distribute food for the holidays to qualified families in the Jackson R-2 School District.

The baskets (actually a full shopping cart) will be distributed at the Elks Lodge from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 11. To be on the list to receive a basket, call the Elks Lodge. It is heartwarming to know that the schools in Jackson are participating by collecting toys or food to be distributed through these programs.

• The Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization is sponsoring the Christmas Parade and expanded events on Saturday. The day's events will start at 3 p.m. with a wreath-laying sponsored by the Jackson Veterans Council on the Courthouse lawn. This event is in memory of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Following the wreath-laying, there will be a Christmas pajama fun run/walk along the parade route. Registration forms may be picked up at Cobblestone Corner or American Family Insurance. Fee is $15 for adults and $10 for 6-plus; under 6 there is no fee. Proceeds will offset medical expenses for Bob Baugh.

The parade, featuring a "Jackson Through the Years" Bicentennial theme, will start at 3:30 p.m. Following the Parade, JCOB is sponsoring Christmas carolers around town and Christmas ornament decorating for children. UJRO will have a surprise display in the window at Ross's Furniture, and stores will be open late for Christmas shoppers. The Girl Scouts will have their annual luminary lighting and Christmas caroling at the courthouse. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the gazebo following the ceremony.

• The Lights of the Season display will go up in the city park on Saturday and will remain up until after Christmas. This is truly a cooperative effort to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Since we have had many new merchants locate in the city of Jackson, I encourage everyone to support both our new and established businesses by shopping locally whenever possible.

Barbara Lohr is the mayor of Jackson.