Photo courtesy Kiwanis Club
Annual coat drives provide those in need with coats and other items to stay warm during the winter.

By Cindy Hoffman, Staff Writer

(Nov. 23, 2023) The Ocean Pines community is ripe with opportunities to give to others during this holiday season. Whether it is food, toys, coats or basic necessities, the need is great now and throughout the year. Take the time to brighten someone’s holiday season by participating in one or more of these opportunities.

Giving Opportunities

Recreation and Parks is taking part in the “Be a Santa to a Senior” with Home Instead. Ornaments with the names of local seniors are placed on a Christmas tree in the Community Center lobby. Each ornament includes a list of requested items for each senior. Gifts can be delivered to the community center by Dec. 6. Email crystal.heiser@homeinstead.com for more information

Aquatics has an “Angel Tree” to help support local children and families. A Christmas tree in the Sports Core Pool lobby is decorated with angel ornaments that represent a local person or family in need. Come to the pool, pick an ornament, and provide your name and phone number to sponsor a local person or family with Christmas gifts. Deadline for gifts ranges from Dec. 5-13. Call 410-641-5255 for more information.

OPA Administration will also set up an “Angel Tree” to support a local family.

Kiwanis Club of Ocean City-Ocean Pines is collecting coats and toys on Wednesday Nov. 22 and 29 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Community Center parking lot.

Cricket Center drop boxes for basic necessities like dried and canned food, cleaning products and other necessities can be dropped off at the Community Center lobby, The Park at Ocean Pines Clubhouse on 2 Arcadia Court and the Ocean Pines Racquet Center.

Cricket Center families holiday wish list: contact Katie Conforti at 443-235-9502 to help make Christmas bright for 10 families through the Cricket Center. She has lists of specific requests from each family and will be collecting gifts and donations until Dec. 15. Local businesses are supporting the effort by sponsoring a family, including the Forgotten 50, Sunset Grill, Allison at the Altar, Toast and CrossFit Assateague.

Events

Hometown Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 25 at 6:30 pm at White Horse Park.

Trains at the North Side Fire Station: Visit the train garden beginning Nov. 25, 6-9 p.m. and step back in time to a wonderful tradition of Christmas trains, miniature villages and gardens. The train garden will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Christmas Eve. December hours are Fridays, 6-9 p.m., Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon and 6-9 p.m., Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Registration for “Light up the Pines” is Nov. 20- Dec. 8. Email info@oceanpines.org for more information.