The City of Citrus Heights Seventh Annual Holiday Referral Program is officially underway. The Citrus Heights Police Department (CHPD) and the City of Citrus Heights have again partnered with various local service clubs, schools, neighborhoods, businesses, and community members to brighten the holidays for several of our Citrus Heights families. This collaborative effort between all facets of the community specifically targets assistance to families residing in the City of Citrus Heights. Last year, they worked with over 50 service clubs, business groups, social clubs, churches, schools, and community members to assist over 55 families, including 314 children and 90 adults.

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 that has caused a significant change in their financial abilities. The program provides participating families with food, household items, and toys/clothes for the children. The program relies heavily on the community to help make the effort a success. Participation can include the donation of items, adopting a family, volunteering, or all of the above.

Community members can donate or nominate a family who needs assistance by filling out a referral form. To refer a family for consideration, an application must be completed and submitted to CHPD. The “Holiday Referral Program Application” can be picked up at the front counter of CHPD or found online at www.citrusheightspd.net. Completed referral applications can either be dropped off at the department or mailed to CHPD at 6315 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights, California, 95621.

Applications will be accepted through Friday, November 20th, 2014. The program will begin accepting donations from November 16th to December 21st, 2015. Donations can be dropped off at the Citrus Heights Police Department located at 6315 Fountain Square Drive between the hours of 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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. We are looking for businesses to also place donation bins in their lobbies for collecting new toys, clothes, etc. If you would like to volunteer, adopt a family, or have questions regarding the program, please email: [email protected] or call (916) 727-5565.

Source: Citrus Heights Police Department