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Sentinel staff report–
Donations are now being sought through Dec. 19 for the ninth annual Citrus Heights Holiday Referral program, a yearly effort put on by the Citrus Heights Police Department and City of Citrus Heights in partnership with community groups and businesses.
The program seeks to brighten the holidays for families residing in Citrus Heights who have been through a recent hardship or critical event that caused “a significant change in their financial abilities,” police said in a November news release sent to media.
Donations for the 2017 program are accepted from Nov. 21 through Dec. 19 at the Citrus Heights Police Department, located at 6315 Fountain Square Drive. Drop-off hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Local businesses are also invited to place donation bins in their stores.
As a referral-based program, applications are accepted from community members who refer local families that have been through a recent hardship. The program’s referral period concluded on Nov. 20 and applications are currently being processed, police said on Tuesday.
Qualifying families will be notified during the first week in December and will be provided with food, household items, clothes and toys for children. Several families will also be selected to have the gifts delivered by a police convoy — an annual high-profile trek through the city filled with flashing lights, dozens of police officers and their families, and Citrus Heights leaders.
Last year, CHPD said the program assisted over 50 families and enlisted the help of more than 50 service and social clubs, business groups, churches, schools, and community members.
Questions can be emailed to holidayreferral@citrusheights.net, or (916) 727-5564.
