For December, Lincoln Elementary School has organized a month of giving for its students, starting with a reading book drive. Students will collect new and gently-used books and donate them to the San Jose Mercury News' Gift of Reading Program.

Students will also have a coin drive for the Red Cross. The money goes to the victims of the Southern California wildfire.

The month of giving will end on Dec. 18 with the Castle of Cans, when students build a castle with donated canned food. All the cans will be donated to Cupertino Community Services at the end of the day.

For more information, call Heather Reuterskiold at 408.252. 4798 ext. 214.

Recycling tips during the holiday season

A lot of trash is produced during the holiday season. Here are some recycling and garbage reminders:

Corrugated cardboard can be recycled at the curb on regular recycling days.

Residents living in apartments or condominiums should ask their residential managers where the cardboard is collected on-site. Boxes must be flattened and cut into 3-foot-by-3-foot pieces. While it is not necessary to tie the pieces together with string, bundling makes handling easier for recycling truck drivers.

Large quantities can be taken to the Sunnyvale Recycling center at the north end of Borregas Avenue.

The city now can accept blocks of Styrofoam. People can place them in clear plastic bags. While the city doesn't accept Styrofoam peanuts, they are accepted at the Postal Annex in the Oaks Shopping Center.