Ready or not, the holiday season will be here before you know it. Palmetto Health has many opportunities that allow you to help them help others in the spirit of the season.

The Giving Tree — Palmetto Health and the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation are co–sponsoring “The Giving Tree” for sickle–cell patients and their siblings. You can help by bringing new, unwrapped toys for children ages birth through 16 to Palmetto Health Baptist’s Guard Station, 1501 Sumter St. or Palmetto Health Public Relations, Palmetto Health Richland campus, Three Richland Medical Park, Suite 100, 9 am–5 pm, Monday–Friday. Gifts also can be dropped off at the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation, 1420 Gregg Street. The deadline to purchase gifts is December 9. For more information or to have items picked up, call Regina Brown at 434-3107 or James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation at 765-9916.

Treat Bags for Patients — Volunteers are needed to prepare treat bags for those remaining in the hospital at Palmetto Health during the Christmas holidays. Treat bags will be distributed dur- ing the annual patient holiday party held a few days before Christmas. Gifts due by December 15. To volunteer, call Carole Howell at 434-2659.

Reach Out and Read Book Donations — The Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital’s Reach Out and Read Program, an early literacy program that provides books for children during all well–child visits from 6 months to 5 years, needs new book donations and contributions. For more information, call Callee Boulware at 434-2523.

Adopt–a–Family at the Special Care Center — The Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital’s Special Care Center (formerly known as the Medically Fragile Children’s Program) needs departments to help sponsor its adopt–a–family project. Many of the financially-burdened families served by the center have a difficult time fulfilling the holiday wishes of their children. Those interested in sponsoring a family during the holidays can contact Sandra Jagan at 434- 2300.

Holiday Music — The Palmetto Health Cancer Center also needs volunteers who play musical instruments to play their own selection of music in one– to two–hour shifts 9 am–5:30 pm, December 1–25. Small musical combos and small choral groups also are invited to perform. A piano is available. To volunteer, call Carole Howell at 434-2659.

Holiday Adoption Program — The Palmetto Health Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders sponsors a holiday adoption program. The center provides wish lists (submitted by patient families that are struggling financially) for individuals, departments, and other groups interested in lending a hand. For more information, contact Stacy DuPre at 434-3522.

Lights for Hospice— Lights for Hospice is an opportunity to support Palmetto Health Hospice while honoring or remembering a friend or loved one during the holiday season. A gift of $30 or more purchases a symbolic light and an acknowledgment card.

Donors of $125 or more also receive a special keepsake ornament. This year, sponsors can add a Lighting the Way luminary for $25 (plus shipping if applicable). The lights are displayed on crosswalks at Palmetto Health Baptist and Richland. For more information, contact Ashley Dusenbury at 434-2738.