Self-storage operators around the nation are getting into the holiday spirit by kicking off various charity drives.

LifeStorage is continuing its seasonal events this December with most Chicagoland locations transforming LifeStorage lobbies into Santa's Workshops. Nine locations offered pictures with Santa on Dec. 10. The Santa's Workshops, which run through Dec. 23, include gift-wrapping stations with free gift wrap, hot cider and cookies.

In addition, employees from the companys Elgin location visited Sherman Hospital on Dec. 9 to deliver gifts. The LifeStorage team, organized by store manager Paul Menzel and led by Santa, visited the pediatric unit and emergency room, providing sick and injured children some holiday cheer with newly purchased toys from the LifeStorage coffers.

Uncle Bob's Self Storage is collecting toys for the  U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Uncle Bobs is owned by Sovran Self Storage Inc., a real estate investment trust.

To complement their collection efforts, Uncle Bob's will donate $1 for every new Facebook "Like" it receives through Dec. 26, up to $5,000. The company has nearly 200 Uncle Bob's Self Storage locations registered as collection points. Uncle Bobs will also help the Toys for Tots foundation deliver the donated toys.

In an effort to help collect 100,000 winter coats for the New York Cares 23rd Annual Coat Drive, Storage Deluxe is setting up collection bins at its 10 locations in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens for donations of new or gently used coats now through Dec. 31. Last year, New York Cares provided winter coats to 58,000 low-income men, women and children.   

Barbie Sansom, the onsite manager for Sunset Self Storage in Winton, Calif., is spearheading a holiday food drive. Her goal is to fill a 14-by-7-foot rental truck, 669 square feet in all, with non-perishable food for the Emergency Food Pantry in the North Merced area. U-Haul International donated the use of the truck through Dec. 21.

Adams Park Storage LLC is hosting a food drive and raffle to help support York County Shelter Programs. Food donations will be collected at Adams Park Storage, 23 Smada Drive in Sanford, Me., through 22. For every donation, the person donating will receive a raffle ticket for a chance at winning a 32-inch flat-screen TV. There is no limit on the number of raffle tickets per person. The facility will hold a drawing at noon on Dec. 22.

Sources: