It has long been said that it's better to give than to receive, and Christmastime brings out the giver in all of us. If you've been blessed with more than you need or you just want to brighten the holidays for someone else, here are some suggestions. The Forsyth County News has been compiling a list of local efforts to collect donations of time, money, food, toys and more in the spirit of the season. The list will be periodically updated and appear as a regular feature in the newspaper through the holidays. E-mail your holiday donation drives to editor@forsythnews.com, and be sure to put "Help for the Holidays" in the subject line. FCS gift cards Social workers at schools throughout Forsyth County are asking for gift cards to clothing or grocery stores to support year-long needs of homeless and at-need children. The holiday season sees an outpouring of giving to those in need from the community, said Gail Freund, lead school social worker serving Gateway Academy, Liberty Middle and Matt Elementary. But that need lasts all year long. The schools organized this year’s Loving Forsyth Christmas Outreach, which asks the community to sponsor a family, but those needs have already been filled. Even when other programs collect enough clothes and food, gift cards are good to save for when schools see those donations go down after the holidays. Email gfruend@forsyth.k12.ga.us or call (770) 781-2299, Ext. 213164, for more information, or contact any school social worker. SNAPS The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is asking for scarves, gloves, hats or other winter accessories as donations for its SNAPS program. The effort collects the items for children and adults with special needs. Items for both genders are sought. Items should be new but can be homemade and unwrapped. Puzzles, games and gift certificates to buy any of the wanted items will also be accepted. Donations can be brought to any sheriff’s office precinct until noon Wednesday. Note on the item it is for the SNAPS program. Items will be distributed by Santa to those who attend the sheriff’s office Christmas Party from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Public Safety Training Center, 3520 Settingdown Road. No RSVP is required. Attendees can meet police officers, firemen, members of the National Guard and K-9 units. Email smcamarillo@forsythco.com or call (770) 781-2222 for more information. Aerial’s House For the past 12 years, the Forsyth County Fire Department has held the Ariel’s House to drive to collect gifts for children in need. And the program is looking for help from residents to make a child’s Christmas. The drive requests open, unwrapped toys for children of any age and new, tagged clothing for infants 18 months and younger. Items can be dropped off at any of the county’s fire stations or libraries, the fire department’s headquarters or under the Christmas tree at the Forsyth County Administration Building. Information about distribution of items collected through the Aerial’s House can be found through Supporting Adoption and Foster Families Together, or SAFTT, at (770) 886-9505. For other questions or anyone looking to make larger donations, contact firefighter Jeff Lyons at (770) 781-2180, Ext. 4059. Senior Meals Forsyth County Senior Services and Meals on Wheels are sponsoring the 2014 Home-Delivered Meals Holiday Gift Certificate Program for homebound Senior Citizens. All meals delivered through New Year’s will contain a certificate to wish happy holidays from the meal provider, and Senior Services is hoping to deliver 4,000 meals. Donors have the option of donating money for meals for a day, week, month or year. Gifts are $3.61 for one meal, $18.05 for one week, $79.42 for one month and $938.60 for the year, and may be tax-deductible. Checks should be made out to Forsyth County Senior Services, Holiday Gift Certificate Program, and can be mailed or delivered to Forsyth County Senior Services 2115 Chloe Road Cumming, GA 3004. For more information, call (770) 781-2178. -- Kayla Robins and Kelly Whitmire