It’s the season to give thanks for what one has and also to lend a hand to those less fortunate.

The beach cities have a myriad of events happening now through Christmas to support those in need. From helping those battling serious medical issues to giving the gift of magic and art to the community, there is an opportunity for everyone who wants to get involved.

Listed below are events and efforts that bring hundreds of volunteers together with those who need their help.

Cheer for Children

Residents and organizations come out in force every year to support Cheer for Children, a nonprofit organization formed in 1985 to help acutely ill children in the South Bay enjoy holidays throughout the year by throwing parties and other events.

On Dec. 9, the Redondo Beach Historical Society’s fifth annual Victorian Holiday Party and Toy Drive will take place at the Morrell House in Heritage Court, which is located at 298 Flagler Lane, from 6 to 9 p.m. The admittance is an unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more, which will benefit Cheer for Children.

The event, which also includes a Queen Anne open house, features entertainment, hors d’oeuvres and carolers strolling between the museums.

The South Bay Credit Union will be the official drop-off location for Cheer for Children through Dec. 22.

New and unwrapped toys can be left at 2304 Artesia Blvd. in Redondo Beach, and 25360 Crenshaw Blvd. in Torrance.

“We are excited to assist Cheer for Children this year in their holiday collection and gift wrapping party,” said Jennifer Oliver, chief executive officer for the South Bay Credit Union.

On Tuesday, Dec. 15, a Cheer for Children wrapping party will take place at the Center for Spiritual Living, located at 907 Knob Hill in Redondo Beach, between 4 and 8 p.m.

Cheer for Children suggest bringing your own wrapping paper, tape and scissors. Toys are also always accepted.

For more information about the events, visit www.cheerforchildren.net.

Hermosa Kiwanis Club Tree Lot

The Hermosa Kiwanis Club Christmas Tree Lot opens Friday, Nov. 25, at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Pier Avenue for the 24th year and will benefit local charities.

Business hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from the lot go back into the community. All trees are tax-deductible.

For more information, call (310) 466-0960.

Holiday Homes Tour

The Sandpipers will hold their annual Holiday Homes Tour from Dec. 2 to 4. The tour is one of the organizations largest fundraising events of the year.

The tour features three South Bay homes, live entertainment, house-themed cocktails and treats. The homes are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on how to buy tickets, visit www.sandpipers.org.

Mama Liz Thanksgiving dinner

The Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club, located at 2525 Valley Dr., will host the annual Mama Liz free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 24, from 12 to 4 p.m.

The event is open to the pubic.

For more information, call (310) 372-4611.

Holiday strolling

The Riviera Village’s annual Holiday Stroll, which takes place Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 10 p.m. will help the Richstone Family Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to “treating child abuse, strengthening families and preventing violence in families, schools and communities.”

“Richstone’s dedication to strengthening families, schools, and communities is something we can all support,” said Ellen Engelke, executive director of the Riviera Village business improvement district. “The Holiday Stroll is the beginning of this festive time of year, where giving to others is the true celebration. Come to the stroll, enjoy a magical night under twinkling lights, and know that a portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to support Richstone’s valuable programs.”

Santa will greet children from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in front of Coffee Cartel, at the corner of Catalina and Elena Avenue. A holiday parade along Catalina Ave. will begin at 7 p.m. The event also features local bands, horse-drawn carriage rides and plenty of window shopping.

For more information, visit www.rivieravillage.org.

Beach Cities Toy Drive and wrapping party

The Beach Cities Toy Drive wrapping party will take place Saturday, Dec. 17, beginning at 11 a.m., at the Hermosa Beach Community Center Gym, located at 710 Pier Ave.

Bring scissors and wrapping paper to the event that will last until the last toy is wrapped. The toys will benefit children of local charities like the Kenny Nickelson Foundation, Harbor Child Crisis Center, 1736 House, Good Shepherd Center, Richstone Center and the Jeffrey Foundation.

Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at Manhattan Beach Fire Stations located at 400 15th St. and 1400 Manhattan Beach Blvd. The Hermosa Beach Fire Station will also be accepting toys until Friday, Dec. 14.

For more information, call (310) 376-0951.

Gift wrap for scholarships

The Manhattan Beach Neptunian Woman’s Club will be wrapping gifts at the Manhattan Village Mall beginning Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas Eve.

All proceeds benefit local scholarships.

For more information, visit www.neptunians.org or call (310) 374-9473.

Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy fundraiser

The 12th annual “View to a Cure” fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy Support Network will take place Dec. 4 at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

Families living with the disease started a support group 12 years ago not only to become more educated, but also to bring more public awareness about the disease and eventually help find a cure through research.

The event includes food and wine tasting, auctions, a magician and face painting for children and casino games for adults.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased by calling (562) 498-4923.

Winter comes to El Segundo

To keep the music playing in schools, the second annual Winter Wonderland Spectacular Concert and Gift Bazaar, a fundraiser for instrumental music programs, will take place Saturday, Dec. 3, from 2 to 8 p.m., at El Segundo High School.

Snow will blanket the high school’s south quad while the El Segundo Concert Band will perform a 12-minute Christmas medley with light show along with the Legacy Dance Academy. Also performing throughout the day are elementary, middle and high school bands throughout the day.

“We are committed to having musical performances happen many times a year, knowing their cultural importance,” said Mike Rice, president of the El Segundo Concert Band. “Also, the joy they bring to so many when we offer events like Winter Wonderland and our other concerts is evident by the enthusiasm of our audiences.”

Santa will be on hand for the event, along with other activities for children including riding a train, obstacle courses, wall climbing and making Christmas presents. Other events include shopping at more than 40 booths and plenty of food.

For more information about “Keep the Music Playing,” visit www.esconcertband.org.

Mattel contributes to AIDS charity

El Segundo-based Mattel will contribute to the Inspired by Kids art exhibit that benefits the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, takes place Dec. 1, 2 and 3, at RW Creative, located at 1118 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, from 7 to 11 p.m.

The benefit features artwork that conveys the wonder of childhood. More than 50 artists from companies like Mattel, Disney and Pixar will have their own artwork, from sculptures to mixed media, that was inspired by their childhood, on display and for sale or for auction. All proceeds benefit Children Affected by AIDS Foundation and Keep Child Alive.

“Working with the Children Affected by AIDS Foundation to bring the Inspired by Kids art exhibit to life gives us the opportunity to help kids and families in need by doing something we are very passionate about, and that’s creating captivating art that inspires the imagination,” said Chris Down, Mattel vice president of design.

For more information, visit www.mattel.com.

Mural Project fundraiser

The goal of the Hermosa Beach Mural Project is to have 10 murals in 10 years. The murals will capture the city’s history in pictures. A fundraiser and holiday raffle will take place Saturday, Nov. 26, to help raise funds for the project.

All 150 tickets at $100 each must be sold in order for the raffle to take place. If the raffle takes place, the first 15 tickets drawn win $200; the 16th, 17th and 18th tickets drawn wins $500; the 19th ticket drawn wins $1,000 and the 20th ticket drawn wins $2,000.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (310) 318-8683.