TORONTO - The city chambered-sponsored upcoming Christmas events were discussed the the chamber's luncheon meeting held Thursday at the North River Avenue Christian Church.

George Komar, chairman of the Gem of a Christmas celebration set Dec. 12 at Karaffa Middle School, discussed the day's events, which are to begin with a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the school commons hosted by the Toronto Masonic Lodge.

The annual Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk, co-sponsored by the chamber, the Red Knight Women's Club and the Toronto High School Boosters Club, is to begin at 11 a.m., according to Komar.

"People can dress in costumes if they wish," he said, adding there is an entry fee, while an event T-shirt to the first 100 registered participants, cookies and hot chocolate before and after the event in the Karaffa commons are part of the activities. "The event will go on, no matter what the weather."

Funds generated from the event will go toward equipment for Toronto High School athletes and the Toronto Kiwanis Club's Coats for Kids program, he added. Advance registration is $10 by Dec. 9, while registration the day of the event is $15. Registration applications are available at the chamber office at 214 Main St.

From 11 a.m. to noon will be craft-making and storytelling for children, hosted by city resident Bill Hagy and Bridget Dougherty, manager of the Toronto branch of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County.

Dougherty noted Santa Claus may make an appearance.

"We'll also do a craft and gingerbread ornaments. The parents (of participating children) will have to be there," she said.

Children with Santa photos will be available from noon to 1 p.m., while Santa with pets photos are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. And a children's play, "T'was the Night Before Christmas," featuring children in the fourth- through sixth-grades and directed by Carolyn Rodesh, will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the school gym. Cookies, hot chocolate and photos with Santa will be part of the activities.

Other events that day other than at Karaffa include a spaghetti community dinner from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hill Top Presbyterian Church. The dinner is $8 for adults, $4 for children and free for children ages 3 and younger. There also will be photos with Santa during the dinner.

Cards signed and items for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan will be collected all day at the Toronto Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6906, Komar added. Other tentative events also are being planned, he said.

In other business:

The city's Light-Up Night ceremonies will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at the city gazebo commons. Memorial luminaria for the event are being sold, with all proceeds going toward the Toronto Unit of the Salvation Army's home heating assistance program. The luminaria are $6 each or two for $10 and can be purchased by calling the chamber office at (740) 537-4355.

The city's Christmas parade, hosted by the Focus in Toronto organization, is set for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5.

It was announced the chamber had raised more than $1,400 during the Terroronto haunted house fundraiser in October.

(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)