COLUMBUS — The Christmas holiday season in Columbus is filled with recurring and popular fundraisers, food drives and other philanthropic events.

Behind the scenes at many businesses, lesser known efforts are under way to spread the holiday spirit to those experiencing tight budgets due to recent layoffs and this year’s difficult economy.

Columbus Bank and Trust has collected an average of $200 per month since October through a monthly fundraiser that allows bank employees to wear jeans on Fridays in exchange for a $10 donation.

“This Jeans on Fridays program at the bank started out as a response to an idea proposed by the Center for Survivors here in Columbus last March,” said data processor Sheri Laudenklos. “It worked really well, so, we did it again last year in November with the money going to the Center for Survivors again. Then last December we put shopping carts in the main bank and branch lobbies to collect canned goods for the Platte County Food Pantry.”

Laudenklos said this year Bob Labenz, owner of Columbus Bank and Trust, and the bank’s employees participated in Jeans on Fridays in October with proceeds going to the Center for Survivors.

She said proceeds from the November casual days were collected for the Boys and Girls Home and December proceeds were donated to the Columbus Rescue Mission.

“It’s simple and a great way we can give back to our community,” Laudenklos said. “It’s just $10 per person per month. Some months we raise more, some a little less but it’s been working well for us.”

Laudenklos said the employees have selected the Platte County Humane Society as the recipient of the Jeans Friday proceeds in January.

“I think we’ve all pretty much decided to continue this each month next year,” she said. “We’ll do this as long as everyone wants to continue. It’s an easy way and a great way for us to give back to the community.”

Employees at OfficeNet sponsor a mitten tree each year to offer a drop-off point for employees and customers to provide new mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves to those in need.

“We collected over 60 items this year and donated them to Simon House here in Columbus,” said location manager Joan Hollatz. “We have 12 employees who participate in the program and many customers who donate every year.”

Hollatz said the warm weather gear is donated to a different organization each year. The items have gone to the Columbus Mission, Goodwill Industries and other area organizations in past years.

Employees at Eakes Office Plus have adopted one or more local families for the past several years to provide food and gifts of clothing, toys and other items for each family member during the holiday season.

“It’s become a very enjoyable tradition for our employees through the years,” said Managing Partner Larry Anderson. “We get the family name from Holiday Spirit Co-op. Our employees shop for the items on the family’s list and then deliver them to the basement of the Platte County Courthouse. From there the members of the Holiday Spirit Co-op deliver the food and gifts in time for Christmas.”

Anderson said many of the 21 full and part-time employees at Eakes Office Plus participate each year.

Several Columbus area Realtors, real estate brokers, appraisers and other members of the Columbus Board of Realtors offer a reprieve to area church volunteers by delivering Meals on Wheels for the Columbus Community Hospital each year during the Christmas week.

“We know how busy the churches are that week, and they can use the break since they deliver the meals most other weeks,” said Broker Rita Ingold of Capstone Realty. “It’s always fun to spread holiday cheer to the homebound during the week of Christmas.”

Ingold said the Columbus Board of Realtors has about 75 members from agencies and related businesses.