This is the very last week to donate to the “Christmas for Kids” program in the Cabot area. Toys or monetary donations are accepted through Friday. Participants may drop items off at any of the elementary or middle schools in the Cabot area or at Express Printing, K-Mart, all Community Bank locations, Waffle House and Dollar General Stores. Monetary donations may be mailed to “Christmas for Kids”, 100 Gunsmoke Drive, Austin, Ark. 72007 or dropped off at the Warehouse, 310 G.P. Murrell Drive, Cabot. This is in Industrial Park off Hwy. 367 going towards Austin.
The 20th annual Christmas Road to Bethlehem will be open from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. until New Year’s Eve. Homes along a four-mile stretch of Bethlehem Road in Lonoke County will feature lighted, life-size Biblical figures along with Bible verses to tell the story of the nativity and ends with the manger scene at Bethlehem United Methodist Church. There will be open house programs with music and fellowship from 7 to 8:30 p.m. through Jan. 1.
Any Jacksonville-area child can visit with Santa Claus and receive a toy from 8 a.m. until noon Thursday at Fishnet Mission, 213 Marshall Road. Families can receive a bag of groceries.
Cabot and the city’s Chamber of Commerce are hosting a swearing-in ceremony and reception for newly-elected Mayor Eddie Joe Willliams along with other Cabot city officials from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6 at the new Veterans Park Community Center, 508 N. Lincoln St.
Honorable Judge Phillip T. Whiteaker will preside at the ceremony.
The Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department is offering bus tours of the holiday lights from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Tour cost is $2 per person. Car seats must be provided for children. Pre-registration is required and payment is due at registration. No refunds. For more information, call 982-0818.
The Jacksonville Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group will be meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at Rebsamen Medical Center in the Education Building. The group provides caregivers with a private session for personal questions to professional advisors and seasoned caregivers. Interested participants can share ideas and express concerns in order to gain helpful information. For more information, contact Priscilla Pittman at 224-0021 or Col. Norman at 912-0614.