– Community Kindness Event Deadlines: The Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District and Sweet Home Police Department are accepting applications to their Christmas for Kids Sharing Tree toy programs and Shop with a Cop; and Sweet Home Emergency Ministries is accepting applications for Christmas food boxes.
Applications to the fire district, for children 12 and younger, are available at the “Sweet Home Sharing Tree” page on Facebook.
Applications to the Police Department program, for children in the seventh through 12th grade, are available on the city’s website, sweethomeor.gov/police/webform/teen-sharing-tree-2020-application.
Paper applications for each are available at the Fire Hall, 1099 Long St., and at the Police Department, 1950 Main St.
The deadline to submit applications to the programs is Nov. 30.
In the sharing tree programs, names of children and families are written on tags and placed on the sharing trees.
Anyone who wants to help those in need is invited to visit the Fire Hall or Police Department and choose a name or multiple names from the tree.
Donors are welcome to contribute for entire families.
Tags will be available at each location beginning in mid-November. The date remains to be announced.
Donors purchase an item or items listed on the tag, wrap the gifts and then return them by Dec. 9. The tags that are left on the sharing tree will be taken by the local department personnel, who will purchase gifts to fill those requests.
Those requesting gifts will be able to pick up their gifts Dec. 16-17.
Cash donations to the “Christmas for Kids Sharing Tree” toy programs may be made at the Fire and Ambulance District office, 1099 Long St., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and Sweet Home Police Department, 1950 Main St., 24 hours a day. All cash donations will be used to purchase toys and needed clothing for local children.
Funds donated to the Police Department also may be used to help pay for the Shop with a Cop program and other children’s programs.
Applications are also available for the Dec. 12 Police Department’s Shop with a Cop program at sweethomeor.gov/police/webform/shop-cop-2020-application. Paper forms are available at the department. The program is open to children 4 through 12.
During Shop with a Cop, children will receive credit to shop at Bi-Mart with police officers. Treats and hot chocolate will be available. They’ll get to meet Blue Santa, and members of the Sportsman’s Holiday Court will assist them in wrapping gifts.
Sweet Home Emergency Ministries will accept applications for Christmas food boxes through the mail slot on the front door at SHEM, 1115 Long St., until Nov. 28. The form is downloadable from shemfoodbank.org/christmas-box-app.
SHEM will prepare food baskets for delivery in time for Christmas. For those who would like to donate to the Food Basket Program, SHEM accepts cash, clothing and non-perishable food items.
– The Sixth Annual Kids Free Christmas Store will once again be held this year, on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 12.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, things will be a little different. The event will be held in two locations for kids ages 4-12.
Participants must pre-register by Friday, Nov. 13. Once all pre-registration applications are in, participants will receive letters indicating the time and location they will be able to shop.
Applications can be picked up at the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce, 1575 Main St., or at Trash to Treasure, 4432 Main St. (next to O&M Tire).
Financial donors are needed for purchasing gifts. For details, visit Facebook at Home Sweet Home for Christmas or text Nancy Patton at (541) 409-4276.
– Third Annual Holiday Sparkle Bazaar, Nov. 20-21: The Third Annual Holiday Sparkle Bazaar will be held at the American Legion Post, 1215 Pacific Blvd SE, Albany.
The bazaar, sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary Albany Unit 10, will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.
Local crafters and home-based businesses will offer their creations and wares. Parking is available in the back, off 7th Street. COVID-19 precautions will be in place.
Your shopping helps support the auxiliary’s work for veterans, active-duty military and their families.
– Free Thanksgiving Breakfast: Angila Tack Food Services is offering a free drive-through Thanksgiving breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, at 1255 15th Ave., between Main and Long streets.
Also, those wishing to donate to local Sharing Tree efforts for kids (see above), can do so as they drive through.
– Free Thanksgiving Drive-Thru Dinner: The Point restaurant and Sweet Home Elks Lodge are teaming up to provide a free Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until the food runs out) at the Elks Lodge, 440 Osage St.
Due to COVID, all meals will be take-out and can be picked up in the drive-through area of the lower level of the Elks Lodge. Volunteers are needed. Masks are required.
Donations for the local Sharing Tree efforts for kids (see above) will be accepted.
For more information, contact Hope Coulter at (541) 409-1613 or Jan Moore (541) 325-9702.
– Applications for Sweet Home’s Lighted Christmas Parade, to be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, are due by 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, at the Chamber of Commerce, 1575 Main St.
The parade theme will be “Merry and Bright.”
A $25 registration fee is required for all participants. Parade divisions include: Automobile, Band, Bike/Scooter, Business, Dignitary, Equestrian, Log/Semi Truck, Motorcycle, Organization, Religious Organization, Resident, School, Sport Team and Other.
For more information, contact the chamber at (541) 367-6186.
– Candy Cane Express Santiam Excursion Train, Nov. 28 – Dec. 20: The railroad hosts a one- hour train ride with Santa Claus, hot cocoa, candy canes, and an arts and crafts station.
Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Tickets are $18-24; purchase tickets ahead of time online at santiam-excursion-trains.ticketleap.com/candy-cane-express-2020/dates.
– Sweet Home Alumni Foundation will hold its annual Trees for Scholars Christmas tree auction this year, but it will hold it online Dec. 4-5.
The trees for sale will be available Dec. 2-5 in businesses throughout Sweet Home. Trees are donated by local businesses and decorated by local crafters.
The online auction will open for bids at 10 a.m. on Dec. 4 and close at 3 p.m. on Dec. 5. Winning bidders will be announced via Facebook Live at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Trees will be delivered to winners on Dec. 6.
SHAF’s annual Trees for Scholars auctions have raised more than $500,000 for college-bound graduates from Sweet Home High School since 1996, with some $55,000 awarded last year.
Also, Linn-Co Federal Credit Union will decorate and raffle off an artificial tree to benefit SHAF that will be on display in its lobby in November and the first week of December. Tickets are $1 each.
Those who do not want to buy a tree can donate to the SHAF scholarship fund at http://www.facebook.com/SHAFTreesForScholars. Photos of the trees being auctioned will also be visible at that website.
Businesses sponsoring trees include: Heritage NW/Timber Harvesting Inc., Gregory Home Team, Krake Home Sales, Ticor Title – Lebanon, Shauna Baxter, Apple Tree Home and Farm , Anderson Enterprise – Shawn Anderson, Wolthuis Family Dentistry, Sweet Things Boutique, Steelhead Fitness, Farmers Insurance – Lebanon/Salon W and NWI Defense – Albany. Businesses wishing to sponsor a tree can contact any of the following SHAF board members: Mary Sue Reynolds at (541) 401-1794 or [email protected]; Jamie Melcher at (541) 401-1991 or [email protected]; Abby Virtue -Hagle at (541) 409-0701 or [email protected]; or Shari Melcher-Smith at (541) 409-4019 or [email protected].
December
VIP Candy Cane Express, Dec. 11, 18: Kids can experience a special moment with Mr. and Mrs. Claus on this train ride from 6 to 8 p.m.
The experience includes a catered buffet, treats, and a gift from Santa Claus. Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Tickets are $60-80; purchase online at santiam-excursion-trains.ticketleap.com/vip-candy-cane-express/dates.
Ugly Sweater Express, Dec. 19: Find the ugliest Christmas sweater to wear for this adult-only train ride from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25-$48, and includes appetizers, music, photo booth. A full bar will be available.
Meet at the train station, 750 S. 3rd St. Purchase tickets online at santiam-excursion-trains.ticketleap.com/ugly-sweater-express-2019/details.