“The goal is to provide every child in our local communities with a toy for Christmas this year regardless of their family’s circumstances,” said Mike Mayfield, president of Mendo Mill and Lumber.

“With many people unemployed and others struggling to make ends meet in this difficult economy, it’s a real challenge for them to purchase gifts for their children, and we hope to give them a helping hand,” said Mayfield.

As an incentive to generate support for the campaign, Mendo Mill will offer a 15 percent discount on all purchases made between Dec. 1 and Dec. 6 by persons who bring a new, unwrapped toy or cash donation to any Mendo Mill store, Mayfield said.

“In addition to a 15 percent instant discount on their entire purchase, they will receive a coupon for a 15 percent discount on their next purchase at Mendo Mill,” Mayfield said.

Mendo Mill will collect the toys and cash and deliver them to the Toys For Tots organizations that serve Ukiah, Lakeport, Clearlake, Willits and Fort Bragg, the communities where Mendo Mill owns and operates home improvement stores.

Mendo Mill has consistently supported local charitable causes over the years, most recently a food bank drive in November that collected over a ton of food and more than $1,000 in cash for the local food banks.

Last year Mendo Mill spearheaded a major campaign that raised more than $168,000 for local charities.

“I have great confidence in the good will of our people and I am hopeful that together we can make this a very special and happy Christmas for every child in our local communities year,” said Mayfield.

Toys For Tots was started by Major Bill Hendricks of the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1947 and has become an enduring American symbol of Christmas charitable work.

“Mendo Mill is honored to join hands with the Marine Corps to help needy children in our local communities,” Mayfield said.

The store, located at 15290 Lakeshore Drive, is collecting toys for the Lake County Community Action Agency's (LCCAA) annual toy drive.

Barrels were placed in the store on Tuesday.

New, unwrapped toys for children ages birth to 12 can be dropped off in the barrels. In particular, they're looking for assistance in getting toys for children ages 10 through 12.

Toys will be collected until the morning of Dec. 16.

The toys will be distributed Dec. 18 at the city's youth center.

For more information call LCCAA, 707-995-0495.

On a stage provided by Piedmont Rock Yard, wonderful entertainers braved the poor weather as they sang for the visitors to the market. Thanks to the efforts of City of Light and Mike Mayo, the entertainment all day and into the evening could be heard throughout the market area.

Many vendors provided a huge variety of gifts and foods.

Melissa Fulton, chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce – which produces the market each year – said that almost 80 vendors had registered for the event. While some who did not appear, most braved the weather to make it a good day for all.

Santa Claus greeted close to 400 children and handed out candy canes donated by Lakeport Grocery Outlet. Santa’s Workshop tent and interior decorations were provided by Sutter Lakeside Hospital, with chamber volunteers putting all the decorations in place for a cozy and dry place to wait for a turn to sit on Santa’s lap.

Fulton stated that well over 400 volunteer hours went into setting up and tearing down for the market. Hilltop Recovery Services were a large part of the efforts this year that brought Dickens’ Christmas Market to fruition.

“Without their assistance I’m not sure what we would have done, as volunteers were very hard to recruit for this holiday event,” said Fulton, adding that an article with all the volunteer’s names will be published soon.

Major financial co-sponsor again this year was the Lakeport Main Street Association.

Carol Hays, executive director for LMSA, also contacted local merchants for the adult treasure hunt prizes, 17 in all.

McDonald’s of Lakeport was the source for prizes for the children entered in the treasure hunt which has become a tradition for many Dickens’ visitors.

For the winners who did not pick up their prizes on Nov. 27, the chamber will be contacting them or mailing their prizes this week.

Merchants' shops were beautifully decorated, warm and inviting to the many market goers all day. The chamber offered its congratulations to Main Street Bicycles on its grand opening and ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The chamber thanked Holiday Lighted Parade Judges Margaret Silveira, Lakeport city manager, and Kevin Garvey, executive director for Hospice Services of Lake County, and the event's announcer, Danny McIntyre of Lakeport Speedway NCRA.

The chamber also thanked Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen for leading the parade this year and the Lakeport Fire District for their participation; Eleven Roses Ranch, for the free sleigh rides all day at the Market; Lakeport Public Works Director Doug Grider and his crew, for their assistance with barricades and much more.

The ninth annual Dickens’ Christmas Market will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26.

Holiday Lighted Parade winners are as follows:

• Floats, commercial: first, Kelseyville Lumber; second, Reynolds’ Truck & Crane Inc.; third, tie, RAD Construction and Mendo Mill & Lumber.

• Floats, family group: first, Cobb Mountain Christmas.

• Floats, other: first, Green Ranch.

• Floats, youth: Royal Rangers.

• Vehicles, cars and trucks: first, Lake County As; second, Pat Sperling.

• Vehicles, other: first, Kermit Knudson.

• Groups, organization: first, St. Mary’s Church; second, Green Knights.

• Groups, senior: first, Evergreen Healthcare.

• Grand sweepstakes award: Kelseyville Lumber.

More than 20 vendors will be selling their handmade crafts.

Santa Claus will be there from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and make the event a fun time for the whole family.

Down home food and hot beverages will be served all day. The Mini-Mall Boutique will be open with great Christmas bargains.

Blanca Doren will have an art show of her student’s work and a silent auction will be held.

Lakeport Senior Activity Center is located at 527 Konocti Ave. in Lakeport.

For more information, call the center at 707-263-4218.

The cost is $6 per person and includes a trip to the taco bar, rice, beans and and a drink.

Dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Lions Club bar will be open with beer, wine and well drinks for those over the age of 21.

The Kelseyville Lions Club is located at 4335 Sylar Lane.

The dinner will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Burns Valley Elementary School multipurpose room, located on Pine Street in Clearlake.

The meal will include ham and all the trimmings.

Santa also will be on hand to visit with the children. Each child will receive a gift and souvenir photo.