Children in need will receive gifts and have a chance to see Santa Claus and his reindeer at the annual Crossroads Community Center Holiday Celebration on Dec. 14.

Children from low-income families look forward to the Crossroads event each year. The reindeer, on loan from the Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah, are a bonus at the 4:30-7 p.m. celebration at the community center, 16000 NE 10th St. Mrs. Claus will be there with Santa.

Children and teens (infants to high-school students through age 18) can meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and the reindeer and receive a free gift. Children must be present to receive a gift.

The Bellevue Fire Department is collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys and gifts for infants, children and teens.  Donations can be dropped off at any Bellevue fire station. Gifts received by Dec. 10 will be distributed at the Crossroads holiday event. 

The Bellevue Parks & Community Services and Fire departments join forces on this event, with help from: New York Cupcakes, Prudential Northwest Realty, Cougar Mountain Zoo, Microsoft, St. Louise Catholic Church, Embassy Bible Fellowship Church, Altrusa International, Friends of Crossroads Advisory Board and Crossroads Café.

For more information, call 425-452-4874.