Nonprofits and other organizations in The Woodlands area are gathering resources to support families in the holiday season. Here are a few ways residents can donate or otherwise provide support through the end of the year through food, toy and other donations. 

Interfaith of The Woodlands: The nonprofit offers several ways for community members to help local families, including an Adopt-a-Family program to provide requested holiday gifts for children and through a Holiday Toy Drive. New, unwrapped toys will be distributed by Interfaith, and parents will select gifts for their children. 

• Donations needed by Dec. 4
• Suggested donations: toys for children
• 4242 Interfaith Way, The Woodlands

Montgomery County Food Bank: The food bank is partnering with local businesses across the county throughout November and December to collect food donations for the holidays.

• Through Dec. 31
• Sample items accepted: cereals, healthy snacks, canned vegetables, canned fruits, grains, canned meat, peanut butter, canned soup, jelly and jam
• 1 Food For Life Way, Conroe

Buffalo Wild Wings will be undergoing renovation at its Shenandoah location, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The details: The 6,462-square-foot restaurant will receive an upgrade with new furniture and finishes, per the TDLR filing. Construction for the renovation will cost an estimated $87,500 and will take place from Feb. 23 to July 29.

• 19075 I-45, Ste. 100, Shenandoah 

Teora Music School is offering new group classes as part of an expansion of its programs, according to an October news release.

The details: The new programs at Teora Music School include children’s choir, band dynamics and group piano lessons, according to the news release.   

• 24913 Kuykendahl Road, Stes. C & D, Tomball

Several places are kicking off the holiday season with holiday light displays this weekend. 

Sugar Land Holiday Lights
Attendees can enjoy millions of dazzling light displays, a new 9-hole mini golf course, a carnival, a synthetic ice rink and vendors. Santa Claus will also be visiting the lights in Sugar Land through Dec. 23.

• Through Jan. 1
• $18.24 (admission)
• 1 Stadium Drive, Sugar Land

• Through Dec. 31, noon- 10 p.m.
• $24.47- $47.10 (admission)
• Marriott Marquis Houston, 1777 Walker St., Houston

• Through Jan. 4
• Free
• 2101 Riva Row, The Woodlands

Lone Star College System will offer a new bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with an expected launch date of fall 2026 after the help of a $200,000 grant from Houston Endowment, according to an Aug. 13 news release.

The gist: The four-year degree will end in a teacher certification in elementary education, said Rebecca Saiz, LSCS executive director for the educator preparation program.

How we got here: There has been a significant rise in the number of uncertified teachers in Texas for the past five years, according to the Texas Education Agency. Saiz said LCSC hopes to help tackle the rising numbers in uncertified teachers with the new bachelor’s program.

Looking forward: The initial cohort will launch with 150 teacher candidates, pending approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as well as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, per the release.

• Severe storms, tornado cause damage across northern Harris County
• New Caney ISD high schools to add 15 minutes to each school day
• Major projects in Humble and Kingwood result in increased water rates
• Waymo to launch fully autonomous driving in Houston and Dallas in coming weeks
• NRG Energy to build 455-megawatt natural gas power plant in Houston