Beyond the glitter and the twinkle of the holiday season is the heartwarming concept of giving back to the community in a spirit of generosity. The Lititz Public Library, 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz, is facilitating opportunities to give back in ways that offer warmth, food, and education to area residents.

Mitten Trees, which provide items of warmth to both children and adults, have long been a fixture in Lancaster County libraries. According to Diane Guscott, community relations coordinator at the Lititz Public Library, the effort was once overseen by the Library System of Lancaster County, and it was a county-wide effort. The Lititz Public Library has chosen to continue the tradition, working with Community Action Partnership and the Salvation Army to provide new masks and umbrellas, along with socks, mittens, hats, gloves, scarves, and earmuffs. Items in sizes for children and adults may be brought in to decorate the tree located in the library. "We get a lot of hand-knitted and crocheted items," noted Guscott, who added that baby blankets and sweaters have been donated as well. "Some of (the items were) absolutely gorgeous," she said. Items for the mitten tree will be accepted through Saturday, Dec. 18.

While decorating the Mitten Tree has been an annual activity at the library, 2020 was the first year the organization took part in the Lititz Warwick Community Chest Christmas Basket Project, providing full holiday meals for three local families. A Giving Tree, located in the front of the library, has removable leaves that name food items the library is collecting for the project. Among those foods are cranberry sauce, stuffing, canned vegetables, canned pumpkin, and cocoa mix. "We've asked for gift cards to (local supermarkets) so (basket recipients) can purchase fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, turkey, or ham to make an entire meal," explained Guscott, who noted that the library hopes to provide four meals this Christmas. Baskets of ingredients and gift cards will be delivered to families by library personnel. Items for the baskets will be accepted at the library through Dec. 18.

The Gift-a-Book program, overseen by children's librarian Karen Payonk, provides the library with books for children and youths that Payonk would like to have in the collection. A table near the front of the library offers the names of children's materials that may be purchased to commemorate a designated person, such as a grandparent or teacher. The book will be placed in the library's collection with a special commemorative label inside the cover to tell readers the name of the person who was honored by the purchase. "It's a gift and helps us to purchase books," said Guscott. Books for the program may be purchased through Dec. 18.

Readers who have questions about any of these efforts may visit http://www.lititzlibrary.org or call 717-626-2255.