By Mona L. Bronson-Fuqua

Wednesday

Saks Shop 'Til You Drop, for Every Child Succeeds, 5-8 p.m., Saks Fifth Avenue, Fifth and Race streets, downtown. 636-2830.

Thursday

CelebriTrees Preview Party, benefiting Tender Mercies. 5:30-8 p.m., 401 Race St. (formerly Closson's). $75. Open to the public for viewing through Dec. 11. Trees sold through silent auction. (513) 947-8825.

Friday

The Crystal Ball, benefiting the Cincinnati Ballet. 6:30 p.m., the Hilton Netherland Plaza, downtown. $150 per person; $2,500 for corporate table of 10. Reservations recommended. 621-5219, Ext. 113.

Saturday

From Israel with Love, dinner parties, dessert reception, art show and preview sale for Adoption Connection and Alan R. Mack Parents Center of Jewish Family Service. 6:15 p.m., Yavneh Day School, 8401 Montgomery Road, Kenwood. $60 with dinner, $35 dessert and show only. Reception and show begin 8 p.m. Reservations required. 766-3327.

Hula for Our Kids Health, for Cystic Fibrosis research. 6 p.m., Springdale Community Center, 11999 Lawnview Ave., Springdale. Reservations recommended. $20 in advance, $30 at the door. (513) 648-3193 or www.cureourkids.com.

Next Sunday

From Israel with Love, art show and sale for Adoption Connection and Alan R. Mack Parents Center of Jewish Family Service. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Yavneh Day School, 8401 Montgomery Road, Kenwood. 766-3327.

Santa Maria Community Services' Birthday Bash, celebrating 106 years. 11 a.m., Montgomery Inn Banquet Center, 601 E. Pete Rose Way, downtown. Reservations required. (513) 557-2730.

Dec. 9

Home for the Holidays, dinner, silent auction, awards and raffle for Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless, 6 p.m., Xavier University Cintas Center, Schiff Family Conference Center, 1624 Herald Ave., Norwood. 421-7803, Ext. 13.

Dec. 13

Catch the Spirit of the Holidays, for St. Rita School for the Deaf. 7-11 p.m., Maple Knoll Center, 11100 Springfield Pike, Springdale. Reservations required. $125 per couple. 771-7600.

Dec. 17

Evening in Rome, gala unveiling the Vatican Collection and benefiting Cincinnati Museum Center. 6:30 p.m., Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Reservations required. (513) 287-7078.