Area charity programs to consider this holiday season:

Alpha Sigma Omega Latina Sorority, Inc./ASO Angel Tree

Description: Now through Dec. 8, select an angel ornament from the tree and donate a child’s gift for distribution to shelters in the DeKalb and Chicagoland area. Deadline for gift drop-off is Dec. 11.

Where: Ornaments can be picked up at the Latino Resource Center, 515 Garden Road, or Campus Life Building, corner of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue.

American National Bank/Gift card campaign

Description: Donate a $5 to $10 gift card to be given to one of DeKalb’s less fortunate teenagers from Safe Passage, Inc.

Where: Cards can be dropped off inside the bank or at the drive-thru until Dec. 20. A list of accepted cards can be found at the bank, 1985 DeKalb Ave.

Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C)/”Meals in a Bag” program

Description: Nonperishable food items for low-income families are being collected for 4-C’s “Meals in a Bag” program.

Where: Items should be brought to the 4-C office, 155 N. Third St., on the third floor.

Goodfellows of DeKalb/Sycamore /”Holiday Office Party”

Description: Proceeds from Goodfellows’ annual “Holiday Office Party” on Dec. 7 at PJ’s Courthouse Tavern will be used to provide local needy children with new clothing. Event admission is $5.

Where: PJ’s Courthouse Tavern, 202 W. State St.

Meals-On-Wheels/Holiday meal delivery

Description: Volunteers are needed to help deliver holiday meals to those unable to leave their homes.

Where: Meals-On-Wheels Senior Service Center, 330 Grove St.

Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association of Northern Illinois (PAMCANI)/Holiday food and clothing drive

Description: Food, clothing and cash donations are being accepted now through Dec. 1 to be dispersed among local shelters.

Where: Donated items can be dropped off at G’s R Plumbing and Heating, 1831 E. Lincoln Highway.

TAILS Humane Society/Christmas Wreath Fundraiser

Description: Order a wreath from Christmas Forest and 10 percent of the sale will be given to TAILS, 2250 Barber Greene Road, to assist in their quest of finding homes for homeless animals.

Where: Go to http://www.tailshumanesociety.org and click on the ‘Order Christmas Wreaths’ link.

Vineyard Christian Fellowship/Vendors for Life Arts and Craft Fair

Description: Holiday arts and crafts will be sold by local crafters, artists and home-based businesses. All proceeds will benefit the We Care Pregnancy Center, 403 N. Fifth St.

Where: Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 215 N. Fourth St., Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of DeKalb County/”Adopt a Family” program

Description: Help a low-income family involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program by providing them with gifts or food.

Where: For more information, call the Family Service Agency at (815) 758-8616.

Safe Passage, Inc./Food drive

Description: Safe Passage, DeKalb’s domestic violence intervention and prevention agency, is asking for food donations for its annual client holiday party on Dec. 4. It is also accepting unwrapped gifts for its children.

Where: Safe Passage, Inc. can be reached at (815) 758-7922

Ellen Oaks Christmas Open House/Craft show

Description: From Wednesday through Saturday, the open house features woodcrafts, folk art, handmade ornaments and decorations, among other creations. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Safe Passage.

Where: Masonic Temple, Watson Drive and Ill. Route 23

Salvation Army/Red Kettle Campaign

Description: Salvation Army bell-ringers are collecting money to help the less fortunate. For every dollar collected, 90 cents goes toward programs that directly benefit the needy.

Where: Located outside various local businesses including Jewel Osco, Walgreens and Wal-Mart Supercenter. Look for the red kettles.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers/Book drive

Description: Children’s book donations are being taken now through Dec. 31 to be distributed among store-selected local charities and organizations.

Where: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 2439 Sycamore Road.

Kohl’s/Kohl’s Cares for Kids campaign

Description: Purchase a $5 plush animal and assist Kohl’s in supporting health and educational opportunities for children. All profits will benefit this cause.

Where: Kohl’s, 2306 Sycamore Road.

Lowe’s/Habitat for Humanity projects

Description: Make a money donation or volunteer your services to Habitat for Humanity by helping to build better homes for DeKalb families in need of housing.

Where: If interested, visit Lowe’s, 2365 Sycamore Road, or call the Habitat for Humanity office at (815) 758-5055.

Maurices/Hugs & Hope

Description: Join Maurices and the American Cancer Society in their fight against cancer with the purchase of a $5 “Max the Mutt” stuffed animal now through Jan. 15 or until supplies last.

Where: Maurices, 2506 Sycamore Road

Toys for Tots/Toy donations

Description: Donations of unwrapped toys are being collected now through Dec. 11 in a box located inside Big Lots. The gifts will be distributed to area children by a local Marine Corps unit for the holiday season.

Where: Big Lots, 1700 Sycamore Road.