Photo provided.

Horace Mann librarian Tammie Frederick, (center, wearing hat) helps students pick out a free book for Christmas on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 22, in the first of two school-wide book giveaways to promote reading within the school.

Photo provided.

Corinne Zay, a seventh-grader at Huntington Catholic School, decorates a gingerbread house as part of a Christmas class project. Teacher Michelle Kindle led the project.

Photo provided.

The Roanoke Kiwanis Club recently delivered the proceeds from its bell-ringing efforts to the Huntington Salvation Army. The Roanoke community donated $180.27 to the kettles while the Kiwanis were ringing bells outside of several locations in Roanoke, including the Post Office, Lassus Handy Dandy and Hoosier Foods, in early December. Roanoke Kiwanis Treasurer John Nelson (left) presents the check to Capt. Tim Sell (right) of the Huntington Salvation Army.

Photo provided.

In light of the current economic climate, MarkleBank decided this year to forego the Christmas luncheons it has held in the past few years in Wells and Huntington counties.

Instead, MarkleBank used the money that was budgeted for those parties, $6,500, and made donations to local food banks and other charities.

Local groups that were given $1,000 each include Master's Pantry in Markle, Love in the Name of Christ in Huntington and the Warren Food Pantry.