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Tag: annual

  • Donations sought for Citrus Heights ‘Holiday Referral’ program

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    Photo credit: Flickr commons, asenat29.

    Updated Nov. 28, 3:35 p.m.–
    The City of Citrus Heights is partnering with the community this year to help provide food, household items, toys and clothes to families in need through its annual Holiday Referral Program.

    “This unique community-involved program was created to help families who have experienced a hardship or critical event in their life over the past year,” said Citrus Heights Police Department Sergeant Mike Wells in a press release about the program. “We rely heavily on the community to help make the effort a success.”

    Last year, organizers said the program brought together over 40 clubs, business groups, churches, schools and residents to help nearly 400 adults and children in Citrus Heights — and are again seeking those willing to donate items, adopt a family or volunteer this year.

    “This year we are encouraging Citrus Heights businesses to work with their employee teams to either collect donations for our program or adopt a family,” said Wells. “We are looking for businesses to also place donation bins in their lobbies for collecting new toys, clothes, etc.”

    Organizers are also seeking to identify families who need assistance, and invite community members to nominate a qualifying family by submitting a referral form to the police department. Although originally having a deadline of November 21, police say referrals will be accepted through November 28, with donations accepted through December 15.

    Donations can be dropped off at the Citrus Heights Police Department at 6315 Fountain Square Dr. between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Organizers say used or expired items will not be accepted.

    Those with questions or who are interested in adopting a family can email holidayreferral@citrusheights.net, or call (916) 727-5500.

  • Citrus Heights Police Win 6 Awards in Statewide Motorcycle Competition

    Updated Sept. 30 with video, 12:01 p.m.-
    A weekend police motorcycle rodeo and Traffic Safety Fair drew about 2,000 people to the northern parking lot of Sunrise Mall, raising over $2600 for charity and leaving the Citrus Heights Police Department with six awards for performance of several competing officers.

    23 police officers piled into a small coned-off square in the final event of the weekend.
    23 police officers piled into a small coned-off square for the weekend’s final “Last Man Standing” event.

    With 23 officers enlisting in the competition from around the state, Officer Kristopher Frey took home the most awards from the Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD), earning first and second place in several competitions.

    Navigating his thousand-pound Harley Davidson Road King through a maze of obstacles and tight corners, Frey took first place in the Harley class “Slow Speed Challenge Course” – a course described by officers as “extremely challenging,” and one that some contestants couldn’t complete. Frey also took home third place in the same course on his BMW and second place in the “Solo Officer Speed Course” on his Harley.

    Competitions were divided by class between the older Harley Davidson police motorcycles and the newer, lighter BMW R1200RT-P bikes, with CHPD resurrecting two of its recently replaced Harleys for officers Anthony Boehle and Frey to compete and win several awards with.

    Taking home first place on their BMW’s, Officer Frey joined with CHPD’s Sergeant David Gutierrez in the two-man team skills challenge called “Drop in the Bucket”. The rules for this course required officers to enter a circle with only one hand to steer, while the other hand was used to grab tennis balls from the top of traffic cones and throw them into a center receptacle. Officers were disqualified if they touched their bars with two hands, knocked over a cone, put their foot down or dropped their bike.

    Saturday’s competition closed out with what organizers called “Last Man Standing,” where all 23 officers piled into a small, coned-off square and had to ride ’til they dropped. Officers were required to stay on their bikes at all times, and couldn’t touch the ground with their feet to stabilize their bikes without being disqualified. Officer Eddie Chan of San Jose reportedly won the final event, although there was some disagreement over whether California Highway Patrol Officer Anthony Gioletti had been the last one to put his foot down.

    The second annual motorcycle competition and fair raised over $2600 was raised for the Citrus Heights Police Activities League charity, with local businesses like Citrus Heights Saw & Mower and Sprout’s contributing raffle prizes, and others like Aba Daba Rentals, Signs in 1 Day and the Citrus Heights Rotary club making cash donations to support the event.

    Prizes included a Glock pistol from Sacramento Black Rifle and motorcycle gear from companies that have done business with the police department. Competing officers also enjoyed meals donated by Citrus Heights’ Beach Hut Deli, Buffalo Wild Wings and the Sacramento County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy.

    Saturday’s event also featured a kids bicycle rodeo, face-painting and bounce-houses for attendees, and a local high school student sang the national anthem to kick the day off.

    The event was attended by several council members and was sponsored by the City of Citrus Heights and its police department, along with the support of local businesses.

    Watch:

    Officers Compete in ‘Last Man Standing’ Event at 2014 Police Motor Rodeo from Citrus Heights Sentinel on Vimeo.