Farmington Area Goodfellows Holiday Drive Underway

Last year, Farmington Area Goodfellows delivered holiday packages to 55 senior households, 200 families and 400 children, to ensure no child or senior in the community went without a Christmas. 

In all, 111 boxes of diapers, 2,000 books, over 2,400 toys and 38,600 non-perishable food items, went out in 520 boxes delivered by volunteers, according to the organization's website. And now the Goodfellows are ready to start all over again.

Beginning today, they're collecting donations for the Christmas 2011 delivery on Dec. 17. Area schools have donation bins set up, and students are being encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items through Nov. 21. Other planned events include:

Polar Express and Shrek the Halls

You'll receive free admission to these holiday movies, shown during Downtown Farmington's Holly Days at the on Dec. 3, with the donation of a new toy, cash, and/or a bag of canned or boxed food items. Also, 50 percent of concession sales will benefit the Goodfellows. The Polar Express shows at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Shrek the Halls at 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 1:15 p.m.

Nutcracker Suite Benefit

Attend a benefit performance of this holiday classic at the Farmington Civic Theater on Dec. 4, 2 p.m. 

Battle of the Middles

This annual battle between staff members at and versus and has thus far raised more than $15,000 and collected thousands of toys and non-perishable food items for the Goodfellows. The 2011 Battle takes place on Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students or $1 with a donation of at least two canned or boxed goods, or free with the donation of a new, unwrapped toy.

For more information about local events, to obtain an application for assistance or to find out how to donate, visit farmingtonareagoodfellows.org