The good folks in Fairfax County's charitable organizations are offering endless opportunities to help the less fortunate this giving season. Here's a list of ways you can help your neighbor leading up to the new year. Think of it as an advent calander of sorts:

This week

• Vote to bring $25,000 to homeless in D.C.-area. Deadline: Nov. 24..
• Stop by the Safeway on Willard Way to donate non-perishable food. The drive lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays until Dec. 11. The Our Daily Bread and Combined Properties, Inc-sponsored initiative stocks food pantries throughout Northern Virginia.

Week of Nov. 22

• NOVAM needs volunteers to deliver Thanksgiving food baskets to local families affected by HIV. Sign up for shifts Nov. 22-23 in afternoon or evening. Must come with your own vehicle., Nov. 22-23, in the afternoon or evening. Contact Mary Karstens at 703-533-5505, ext. 14 or GetInvolved@novam.org to sign up.
• Fairfax City Fire and Volunteer departments are looking for donations of new, unwrapped toys as part of their contribution to Toys for Tots. Drop off your toys at Fire Station 3 and 33, Green Acres Center and City Hall between Nov. 25 and Dec. 20. Call 703-385-7940 for more info.
• Sponsor a family for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our Daily Bread and FACETS are looking for kind-hearted volunteers to spread holiday cheer. Volunteers will provide gifts and holiday dinners for needy families. Money donations to go toward money or gifts are also accepted. Call Our Daily Bread at 703-273-8829 or FACETS at 703-352-3268 for more info.
• Civitan Club of Fairfax will hold a book-wrapping event to raise money for club programs at Barnes & Nobles until Christmas Eve. Click here to help.

Week of Nov. 29

• Drop off toys at Tysons Corner Mall, Wal-Mart in Burke and Denny's in Fairfax City to support the Fairfax Station Salvation Army's Angel Tree Gifts initiative. Click here for more info.
• Help Wesley Housing spread cheer this holiday season by providing gifts for low-income families in Northern Virginia. Individuals or groups can adopt a family by contacting Amanda House at ahouse@whdc.org. Deadline: Dec. 1 to sign up. Unwrapped gifts due Dec. 13. Wrapped gifts, Dec. 15.

Week of Dec. 6

• The Fairfax Station post of the Salvation Army is looking for bell ringers this holiday season. Visit the Army's social services office near University Mall during normal business hours. Click here for more info.
• Lamb Center needs donated goods. Click here for a list.
• Help NOVACO make meals for families, tutor children, mentor clients, help fix up homes and other duties. Click here for more.

Week of Dec. 13

• Play ping pong, frisbee, basketball and be an exercise buddy for a Pathway Homes resident with Be an exercise buddy to a Pathway Homes special needs resident. Info.
• Speak Spanish? Help Our Daily Bread enroll eligible families in the organization's Holiday Program and help schedule meal/gift drop offs. Info.

Week of Dec. 20

• Help Salvation Army sort gifts from Dec. 21-24. Click here for more info.
• Host receptions and help with CD sales at this season's Fairfax Symphony concerts. Each event requires about 4.5 to 5 hours of volunteer time. More.

Week of Dec. 27

• Become an Educational Program volunteer for the Women's Center in Fairfax and surrounding towns. Volunteers help set up the class, welcome attendees and collect materials after the session is over. You get to help others learn about career, legal, financial and other topics while attending the classes free of charge. Interested? Contact Karen O'Meara at komeara@thewomenscenter.org or call at 703.281.4928 extension 276

And on...

• Continue to help people in need through Volunteer Fairfax. The searchable database provides volunteer opportunities year-round. 
• Find a Meals on Wheels route in your neighborhood or close to work. This program provides nutritious meals for older residents who cannot shop or make meals for themselves.

Don't see your organization here? E-mail me at Nicole.Trifone@patch.com.