Several organizations have Christmas celebrations and giveaways scheduled this weekend.
- Chattanooga Racqueteers Tennis Team will hold its 10th annual Christmas turkey giveaway Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.
The group raises money throughout the year for the event and has provided a minimum of 100 turkeys to families in need each year. The names of those needing assistance come from Racqueteers, churches and nursing homes.
Members will leave from the Brainerd Walmart to deliver turkeys, according to Herbert Barnett. For more information, call 991-2855.
- The Elks Lodge, 1211 Dodds Ave., will hold its annual Community Children’s Christmas Party from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
Children 1 to 11 years old are invited to come and enjoy breakfast with Santa and other activities.
For more information, call Emma Cox at 227-2412 or Shirley Reel at 364-3108.
- Caring Hearts of Sale Creek will present a Community Christmas Celebration starting at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sale Creek Lions Club, 15222 Coppinger Road (behind Sale Creek Middle/High School).
Police and fire department personnel will be on hand, along with Santa Claus. Light refreshments, including cookies, hot chocolate and fruit punch, will be served. A band will play Christmas carols. Readings of “A Visit From St. Nicholas” and the biblical story of Christmas will be featured.
At 2 p.m. Sunday, families designated as needing assistance this Christmas will return to pick up children’s toys as well as fruit baskets provided by Sale Creek Lions Club. Food boxes from Caring Hearts will be available Thursday, according to a spokesperson.
For more information, call 332-3996.
- Knights of Columbus Holy Family Council No. 6099 is hosting its Child’s Christmas party 2-4 p.m. Sunday at 7615 Lee Highway.
The event for kids and families is free, but donations of canned goods will be accepted for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.
Attendees will enjoy an afternoon of arts and crafts, caroling, a petting zoo, hot lunch, hot chocolate and holiday treats to get into the spirit of the season. There also will be a visit from Santa, along with a show by Lance the Magician and holiday music by the Labbe Family.
“Christmas is a time where families should be closer, and we hope providing free, fun activities will help that happen,” said council head Corky Evers. “Christmas is about fun and family, but we also remind everyone that it is first and foremost a holy day about the birth of Christ.”
The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.7 million members in more than 14,000 local councils. For more information, visit www.kofc6099.org.