Cupertino Target has become a very popular spot lately, and it is not just the shoppers making it so. Holiday bell ringers in festive hats are greeting the stream of shoppers and sharing good cheer, singing Christmas carols. More than 150 Cupertino residents and groups are participating in the Cupertino Community Services/Salvation Army Annual Bell Ringing event through Christmas Eve on Dec. 24.

These community volunteers will be ringing bells every weekday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and every weekend from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in front of Target Department Store on Stevens Creek Blvd. The purpose is to raise funds for community services to provide needed social and housing services to the community.

Community services is the local representative of the Salvation Army in Cupertino and participates in this Salvation Army national event annually. All community services bell ringers are volunteers; they represent a wide range in age, background and professions, including members of and representatives from local high school service clubs, area churches, city council, Rotary Club, Quota Club, Chamber of Commerce, De Anza College, and employees of Hewlett-Packard, as well as other business representatives and residents of the city.

Last year, the bell ringing brought in more than $11,000.

Cupertino Target and its employees have generously supported community services, too. This year they gave $1,000 in Christmas toys for low-income families. Their gifts included 5 bicycles, 10 scooters, games and toys.

Service club wraps gifts to raise funds

The Northwest YMCA Service Club, which is made up of 200 student and community volunteers, will wrap Christmas gifts purchased at Vallco Fashion park free of charge.

Shoppers can get gifts wrapped Dec. 5­7 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Dec. 12­24 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Through projects such as Christmas tree sales, pancake breakfasts, bingo games and this gift-wrapping service, the club has raised about $450,000 for the community in its 38 years of service.

For more information, call Christina Glynn at 408.351.6415.