5 Things You Need to Know Today: Dec. 6

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. The Tree of Life was illuminated at Monday night, and a young mother and her son had the honor of flipping the switch. Dayra Ocasio, a longtime patient, and her son Angel, 10, were asked to light the tree. "I feel as if it's an honor," said Ocasio. Although the event is finished, donations are still being accepted to benefit the Oliva patient comfort fund.

2. The will have a guest speaker at its meeting, at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Mayra Rodriguez-Howard is the Director of Youth Ambassadors at South Boston Community Health Center and Institute for Healthier Communities. In South Boston, she leads a local organization that responded to teens in the community who wanted art programs and community service projects to support their creative and civic interests. The meeting is open to the public and is at the Milford Police Department building.

3. Sometimes people donate gifts for children, but forget that not-so-little kids need a Christmas as well. and the are collaborating to collect gifts for children who otherwise might go without. And the ages of 10 to 12 are a special focus. The Youth Center is accepting unwrapped gifts for girls and boys (newborn to age 12). The Salvation Army is especially looking for gifts for youth, ages 10 to 12. Gifts can be dropped off at the Youth Center until Dec. 14 during the After School program.

4. A government affairs luncheon Friday, sponsored by the will feature several area legislators, and state officials, for a discussion of business opportunities in the area. begins at 11:30 a.m. and is at .

5. Another balmy December day will be in store for us in Milford Tuesday. The high is expected to be 59 degrees. And the chance of rain is 50-50.