What’s Happening for Dec. 22

Friday

Toy & Fund Drive: The staff of KXXO Mixx 96.1 radio and volunteers will collect toys and cash for families in need outside their studios at the corner of State Avenue and Washington Street in downtown Olympia from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. O Bee Credit Union will match the first $2,500 in cash received. Captain Little will match the next $2,000, Wembley Soccer Shop the next $500 and Lew Rents West the next $2,000. For those unable to make the drive, online donations can be made at mixx96.com.

German-English Christmas service: German Ministry Lacey, a Christian ecumenical fellowship, will host its traditional German Christmas worship and celebration at 6 p.m. at St. Benedict’s, 910 Bowker St. SE, Lacey. Pastor Hans Dettling of Port Charlotte, Florida, will lead the service that includes traditional Christmas songs in German and English, and prayers and readings in both languages. Christmas cookies and other goodies will be served after the service. Information: Elke Amajo, 360-970-1799.

Santa visits Hawks Prairie: Santa will visit The Landing at Hawks Prairie, at the corner of Galaxy Drive and Martin Way in Lacey, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Information: tinyurl.com/yarewv5g.

Friday-Sunday

Holidays at the Market: The Olympia Farmers Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday for last-minute holiday shopping. The market is at 700 Capitol Way N., Olympia. Information: olympiafarmersmarket.com

Saturday

Barb’s Family and Friends community holiday meal: The free dinner will be served from noon to 5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia. To donate to the meal, call Rodney at 360-485-9931 or Sarah at 360-970-3555. To donate a toy to be distributed at the meal, drop it off at Eastside Big Tom, 2023 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia.

Tuesday

After-Christmas Walk: Join others for a 4-1/2-mile walk at 10 a.m. at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, 100 Brown Farm Road NE, Olympia. Walk is weather-dependent.

Dec. 27 and 29

Red Cross blood drive: The Red Cross has two blood donation opportunities scheduled in Thurston County -- from 1-6 p.m. Dec. 27 at Capital Mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd., Olympia, and 1-6 p.m. Dec. 29 at Littlerock Family Medicine, 6981 Littlerock Road SW, Ste 101, Tumwater. For more information or to make an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health are eligible to donate.

Dec. 28

Elected officials sworn in: The swearing-in ceremony for Thurston County's new elected officials will be at 2 p.m. at the Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College, 2011 Mottman Road SW, Olympia. Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall will conduct the swearing in; Sheriff John Snaza will deliver the Pledge of Allegiance; and state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and Congressman Denny Heck will address attendees. Free and the public is welcome.

Dec. 30

WET New Year’s fun: The WET Science Center at 500 Adams St. NE, Olympia, invites you to bring the kids for playtime, New Year’s Eve crafts, face painting, hats, noisemakers, a silly photo booth, and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with New Year’s Eve celebrated at noon. Admission is free. Information: 360-664-2333, wetsciencecenter.org

Dec. 31

Learn to change your ways: Tushita Kadampa Buddhist Center, 211 Legion Way SW, Olympia, will present a class titled “Letting Go of Bad Habits: Essential Buddhist Wisdom for Daily Life” from 7-9 p.m. Alcohol free alternative to celebrate the start of the new year. Light snacks provided. For information or to register, call 360-754-7787 or visit www.MeditateInOlympia.org.

This story was originally published December 22, 2017 at 6:00 AM with the headline "What’s Happening for Dec. 22."