Unwrap the gift of giving this holiday season at Lake County events

In Lake County, there's always a need for volunteers and donations to help local families, especially over the holidays, but there are also fun opportunities to donate to local nonprofits.

The below events help people in need, ensure that no tree is left without gifts underneath, and no dinner table is left without food this season.

Mission United Giving Tuesday at Fish Camp on Lake Eustis

Help out by eating out? Not a bad way to get good karma!

On Giving Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 4 to 8 p.m., 20% of all food at Fish Camp on Lake Eustis (excluding its Taco Tuesday special) plus beverage proceeds will be donated to the United Way of Lake & Sumter Counties' (UWLS) Veterans Resources Program. Mission United team's primary role is to help veterans navigate the system of benefits available, whether by providing those options directly or connecting our Veterans to resources. 901 Lakeshore Blvd., Tavares. fishcamponlakeeustis.com.

Grab or Give out a bag of groceries

Joining Hands in Food Ministry’s monthly free food distribution will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 130 S. Lone Oak Drive, Leesburg. Check out Facebook.com/feedinghopenow for updates.

Stuff the Bus

The UWLS invites the public to come fill up its bus with toys to deliver to local families for the holiday to help "Stuff the Bus," bring new and unwrapped toys to the Mission United bus, which will be parked 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Walmart parking lot at 17030 U.S. 441. Toys also can be dropped off or sent to the J/ULs office on or before Dec. 1, located at 32644 Blossom Lane, Leesburg. Those who would prefer to donate funds to support Stuff the Bus can do so at uwls.org/donate.

Bring an unwrapped, unopened toy & enjoy a free concert!

Stetson University’s Symphony Orchestra will bring holiday magic to downtown Mount Dora on Saturday, Dec. 2, performing a “Holiday Symphony.” The show begins at 4:30 p.m. in Donnelly Park, 530 N. Donnelly St.

During the second half of the performance, the park and historic downtown will come alive with a festive display of more than two million colorful lights. Nearly 70 Stetson students play in the university’s Symphony Orchestra and have performed for the Orlando Opera Company, while some members have played with the Orlando Symphony Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony and other Florida orchestras.

The Symphony Orchestra will perform under an open-air tent in the park and play Schumann’s “Symphony No. 4,” along with the perennial holiday favorite, Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.”

Stetson Voice Professor Karen Coker-Merritt will perform “Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion” from Handel’s “Messiah.”

Tickets to the Dec. 2 concert are free, but attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy for a Toys for Tots drive.

Pawty with the Humane Society

While not endangered, the lovely furbabies under the care of the Humane Society of Lake County can use your help this holiday season. Donations can be made to the facility at 1645 McKinley Road, Umatilla.

Also, the shelter has specified items it urgently needs. The HSLC Holiday Wish List Drop can be accessed from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. You can access a list at humanelake.com.

Also, the HSLC will host a Christmas Pawty on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get a portrait with your fur child at the event or adopt one, but think twice before gifting a pet. Ask the HSLC for more information why gifting pets isn't usually a great idea.

Christian Care Center Christmas Stroll

Join the volunteers at the Christian Care Center on Friday, Dec. 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. for a free self-guided stroll around the ministries of the Christian Care Center. The event entertains with Christmas treats, music, decorations, a live nativity scene, and a host of Christmas characters including Santa and his elves.

The visit offers the public a chance to learn about the center's many charitable programs including its Fresh Start job program, Women's Care Center and much more. Park in the field next to the CCC's Community Medical Care Center, 1210 W. Main St., Leesburg. Learn more at christiancarecenter.org.

Stuff a Cruiser

The Clermont PD's Stuff a Cruiser cruises back into Lake County this holiday season to local seniors and children in need.

The Clermont Police Department vehicle will be prominently parked at two local retailers on three days with the goal of "stuffing it with gifts for local seniors and children who are often overlooked during the holidays."

Look for the police vehicle on Wednesday, Dec 6, at the Walmart at 1450 Johns Lake Road from 3 to 6:30 p.m. to collect unwrapped toys for local children The police vehicle will move to JCPenney, 2345 U.S. 27, on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. Details: ClermontFL.org.

Lake Cares Pantry to benefit from Lake Concert Band

The Lake Concert Band will be performing their Christmas show in Mount Dora at the Mount Dora Music Hall Community Building at 20 N Baker St., on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. The Lake Concert Band is made up of 80 talented members and is directed by John Landers, who'll lead the musicians in performing Broadway and show tunes, movie themes, patriotic music and more. Donations at this concert help to benefit the Lake Cares Food Pantry. Details: lakecares.org.

Bread of Life Pantry

The Orange Avenue Church of Christ hosts a drive-through grocery donation event from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Saturday morning of each month. Visitors to the Bread of Life Pantry are provided a free bag of food. The church is at 1511 E. Orange Ave., Eustis. Details: orangeavenue.org.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Pets, vets and families in need get help from Lake Co. holiday events