Many of North Haven’s town departments are in full holiday planning mode. There are a number of initiatives to help those in need underway and the annual holiday tree lighting and Santa’s Workshop festivities are scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 4 from 2 to 5 p.m.

The events on Dec. 4 are held on both the North Haven Green and at the Recreation Center. Holiday characters including Frosty, Mrs. Frosty, Rudolph, and Ronald McDonald will be visiting with guests.

The Recreation Center is transformed into Santa’s Workshop complete with cookie decorating, a craft room, and Minotti Music’s holiday review. Parents can complete profiles of their children through the Connecticut CHIP Program, which is sponsored by the Corinthian Lodge. Coldwell Banker has a prize wheel and all money collected is donated to the North Haven Food Bank.

Photos with Santa will also be held for a voluntary donation of $1. Santa returns to the Recreation Center on Monday, Dec. 5 and Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

On the Green, there will be activities leading up to the tree lighting including hayrides and the North Haven High School choir will be caroling. The Knights of Columbus will provide coffee, hot cocoa, and cookies.

“There’s a lot of fun things to do,” Lynn Cole, program administrator at North Haven Community Services & Recreation. “People enjoy kicking off the holiday season.”

The Community Services & Recreation Department continues to connect children with Santa throughout the month of December through its “Letters to Santa” and “North Pole Hotline” programs. There is a North Pole Mailbox at the Recreation Center at which children can send Santa a letter by Dec. 16. If they include a self-addressed, stamped envelope, Santa will respond. For information on how to receive a phone call, which are limited to 50 participants, see the winter brochure on northhaven-ct.gov.

At the Joyce Budrow Senior Center, director Judy Amarone hosts a holiday party for the seniors on Dec. 2. She also works to be sure there are fun events planned throughout the month.

“In December, we focus in on celebrating with our seniors,” said Amarone. “We really have a good time with the holiday party. We try to remember that while the holiday season can be joyous, it also could be lonely. We’re lucky to be in North Haven with so many quiet supporters. The doors are open to everybody. Age doesn’t factor in on fun.”

The Toy Bank will be open through the Community Services Department from Monday, Dec. 19 to Friday, Dec. 23. Residents can call to make an appointment beginning Monday, Nov. 28.

“This is for direct caregivers for children in their household and the families get a half-hour slot to shop for items for their children,” said Carla Riccio, who supervises the program. “We’ll accept donations of new, unwrapped gifts for any age, but we do welcome gift cards or things to keep kids active because they are very popular for the older kids.”

Riccio noted that there is often no shortage of options for younger children, but once people are shopping for their tweens or above, there aren’t as many options. She recommends items like ear buds, makeup, costume jewelry, or sporting goods. When looking for gift cards, she suggests iTunes or local restaurants, movie passes, or passes to places like Northford Ice Pavilion or the trampoline park.

North Haven resident Terry Gagliardi has been working on a “Toys for Tweens” campaign for the past several years, approaching local businesses and helping people with gift ideas for those ages 11 to 18.

“She’s been promoting it and pounding the pavement to find collection sites and has gotten so much donated,” said Riccio. “Without her, it probably wouldn’t have been so successful.”

In 2014, 68 families shopped for their children, while 53 families shopped for 92 kids last year. Riccio is expecting another year of serving more than 50 North Haven families.

The Community Services Department offers more than holiday gifts in December. Beginning on Monday, Nov. 28, families can also sign up for holiday food distribution, which will be held on Thursday, Dec. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Once families register, they will come to the Town Hall Annex building, which will be set up like a store, and they can shop for the items they would like for their holiday meals. Items include turkey, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and pie. Donations are being accepted.

“We’ve made the change from a preassembled bag a few years ago and it’s been so much more well received,” said Riccio. “It’s more empowering for families to get to choose what they want and it’s created a very positive experience and we’ve had a lot of great feedback.”