There are many opportunities to help those who need some extra assistance this Christmas season. If you are looking for a way to help, here are some businesses and organizations you can partner with by donating food or a new toy.

Banner Lassen Medical Center fourth annual community food drive - Bring non-perishable food items to Banner Lassen Medical Center from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 and have your picture taken with Santa. The event is being held in the Lassen/Shasta room and people can also enjoy cookies, cider and cocoa when they stop by.

Lassen County Federal Credit Union/Lassen Senior Services - The Lassen County Federal Credit Union is accepting food and money donations and will match the money the community gives for Lassen Senior Services. You can drop your donations by the credit union at 2605 Riverside Drive. People do not have to be a member to donate.

Lassen Family Services (LFS) - People can donate new toys which will be given to children in the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and those involved in other LFS services. People can also choose to help a family. For more information, call 257-4599. Donations can be made at the LFS office at 1306 Riverside Drive.

Lassen Senior Services - Lassen Senior Services has joined onecause.com, an online shopping mall where people can choose Lassen Senior Services as a charity of choice. A percentage of money is given to onecause.com who will then send it to Lassen Senior Services. Now that the cold weather is back, senior citizens are also in need of firewood. If you would like more information about how you can donate, call Lassen Senior Services at 257-2113.

Salvation Army - The Salvation Army is planning to assist 150 to 250 people this year and is looking for food donations to help provide Christmas dinner and food baskets this year. The Christmas dinner box contains a turkey and holiday meal fixings such as pie crusts and pumpkin filling. Regular food boxes will have a pound of hamburger meat, spaghetti noodles and sauce, dessert and more. To help a child have a merrier Christmas, people can go to Walmart and select a tag off the Angel Tree. The tree has tags tied to it containing items children want for Christmas. People can select a tag and purchase the items on it. Salvation Army will supplement any items needed for the food boxes and will take care of the tags not filled on the Angel Tree. As a result, it also accepts monetary donations. You can also help Salvation Army by dropping some money into the red kettles. Money goes toward the Salvation Army's annual budget.

Toys for Tots - The Lassen County Search and Rescue coordinates Toys for Tots, which provides gifts for children ages 0 to 17 and serves families throughout the county. A toy collection drive will be held from 6 a.m. to about 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at McDonalds. Monetary donations are also accepted so volunteers can purchase additional items if needed. Additional gifts are usually needed for children ages 0 to 1 and 13 through 17 years of age. According to Search and Rescue captain Terry Trussell, items for teenagers can include CDs, movies, clothes, make-up, hair products, video games, snowboards, skateboards and MP3 players. Donations will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 14. If you have any questions, call Trussell at 260-1222. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

AAA - 2920 Main St., Susanville.

Ace Hardware - 2950 Main St., Susanville.

All the Best Video - 1608 Main St., Susanville.

Alliance Gas Station - 1850 Main St. Susanville.

Big Sky Storage - 474-445 Big Sky Blvd. Susanville.

Buffalo Chips Pizza - 322 Birch St., Westwood.

Capt'N Andy's Mountain Market - 324 Ash St., Westwood.

California Correctional Center.

California Highway Patrol 472-400 Diamond Crest, Susanville.

C & S Waste Solutions of Lassen County - 471-825 Diane Drive, Susanville.

Diamond Mountain Casino - 900 Skyline Drive, Susanville

Diamond Mountain Mini Mart - 910 Skyline Drive Susanville.

Ed Staub - 702-805 Johnstonville Road, Susanville.

Every Bloomin' Thing - 705-570 Highway 395 East, Susanville.

Fastenal - 2910 Riverside Drive, Susanville.

Golden 1 Credit Union - 2942 Main St., Susanville.

Susanville Grocery Outlet - 1616 Main St. Susanville.

Hart's Café - 2535 Main St., Susanville.

High Desert State Prison.

Honey Lake Firearms - 600 Main St., Susanville.

Johnstonville Store - 472-850 Johnstonville Road.

Just For Kids.

Lassen Ale Works - 724 Main St. Susanville

Lassen County Federal Credit Union - 2605 Riverside Drive, Susanville.

Les Schwab -2385 Main St., Susanville

Main Street Bowl - 2772 Main St., Susanville.

Mazatlan Grill - 1535 Main St., Susanville.

The Pardner - 702-100 Johnstonville Rd., Susanville

Pizza Factory - 2936 Main St., Susanville.

Plumas Bank - 3000 Riverside Drive, Susanville.

Radio Shack - 2850 Main St., Susanville.

Spirit Gas Station - 2525 Main St., Susanville

Susanville Auto Center - 704-485 Richmond Road, Susanville. 

Susanville Discount Furniture - 2850 Main St., Susanville.

Susanville Supermarket - 50 Grand Ave., Susanville.

Tactical Reload - 4095 Johnstonville Road, Susanville.

The Mark - 445-625 Highway 395, Herlong.

The UPS Store - 2850 Main St. # 12, Susanville

Walgreens - 2875 Main St., Susanville.

Westwood True Value - 318 Ash St., Westwood.

Young's Market - 323 Birch St., Westwood.