Jerin Juillerat (left) and Marvin Tudor (right), of the Disciples of Christ Foundation of Huntington, present Capt. Barbara McCauley of the Huntington Salvation Army with a check for $5,000 on Friday, Dec. 19, the proceeds of the group’s kettle drive this holiday season. McCauley says the donation represents the largest single gift from the kettle drive to date.

Local churches in Huntington County are getting ready to celebrate the winter holidays.

The following churches have scheduled special services and festivities to take place on Dec. 24, 25, 31 or Jan. 1 to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and usher in the New Year.  

Andrews United Meth-odist Church, located at the corner of Main Street and McKeever Street, Andrews, will have a candlelight Christmas Eve service at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 24.

Heather Christle (left) helps her daughter, Ember Christle, glue decorations on a slice of wood that will become a Christmas ornament. The two were taking part in the Holiday Craft Bash held Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Salamonie Interpretive Center. The session was part of a year-long series of programs for preschoolers sponsored by the center.

The Indiana Dream Center invites the community to a free luncheon on Christmas day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Peter’s First Community Church.

The traditional, all-you-can-eat meal will feature ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and desserts. Dine-in, carry-out or delivery is available.

The church is located at 206 Etna Ave., Huntington. For more information or to schedule delivery of meals call 356-5310 or text 519-0168.

Santa Claus makes a big entrance at The Trading Post in Huntington on Saturday, Dec. 20, on top of a fire truck from Huntington Fire Departrment Station 3.

Volunteer Dixie Harrold displays some of the items donated for Huntington County Right to Life’s 35th annual Christmas Care & Share program.  This year, the group will provide items for 24 children. Each child will receive numerous gifts and each family will receive wrapping materials and a gift card for groceries.

Ellen Leymon (left) and Oma Zent study a Christmas tree at the third annual Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees, held in the Fults Recreation Room at Heritage Pointe, in Warren, on Friday, Dec. 12. The event, which continued on Saturday, Dec. 13, featured more than a dozen trees decorated by individuals, families and Heritage Pointe departments.

April Zerbe, of Huntington, mulls over possible gifts for her 15-year-old daughter Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Love In the Name of Christ’s Christmas Gift Shop. The store, featuring toys and items for teenagers, is held at the Café of Hope at Life Church in Huntington.

Pathfinder Services client Kelly Anderson (left) rests her head on Santa Claus' shoulder after receiving a gift at a Christmas party hosted by American Legion Post 85, in Huntington, on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 13.

A scene from the Living Lights show at tte Zanesville United Methodist Church on Friday, Dec. 12. The show's 50,000 lights are synchronized with modern Christmas music, with Scripture reading by children of the church. The 20-minute show repeats each day from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1. The church is located at 11811 N. Wayne St., Zanesville.