The annual gift-giving tradition of Tonganoxie Public Library’s Angel Tree returns this Friday morning!

Each year the library partners to help provide gifts to seniors in our community. There should be more than 100 angels on our tree this year! Come pick one off the tree and then come to the front desk to select who you’d like to get a gift for.

There will also be the option of making a monetary donation instead. The money would be used to help purchase gifts.

Look for our donation jar at the front desk.

Angels will be available starting when the library opens that day. Swing by and grab one before we run out!

Food drive running through Friday

The library is participating in the citywide food drive going on now through Friday afternoon. There are several drop-off locations around Tonganoxie, and the library is one of them. You can bring any non-perishable and non-expired food to the library. There is a marked drop-off bin once inside or you can ask at the front desk for assistance. Food will be donated to the Good Shepherd Thrift Store and Food Bank once collected.

It’s the kick-off of the holiday season!

This Saturday is the start of the holiday season with the annual downtown Christmas parade at 5 p.m. and the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree right after.

Head to the library after the parade to view the tree lighting and then come inside to see Santa Claus, too.

It’s a fun-filled evening for all and a great way to get in the holiday mood!

Death Cafe celebrates memories next week

Our monthly Death Cafe meeting is coming up next week at 4 p.m. Monday.

We’ll look closer at our memories and celebrate them. There is no greater time of the year than the holidays to surround ourselves with memories, and we’ll even decorate simple memory jars as an accompanying activity.

Join us for snacks, tea and lively discussion!

Holiday hours

The library will close early at 5 p.m. next Wednesday, Sept. 26, and will be fully closed Sept. 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Normal hours will resume on Sept. 28.

— Kim Downing is assistant director/circulation coordinator at Tonganoxie Public Library. She can be reached at kimd@tonganoxielibrary.org or 913-845-3281.