CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The Citrus Heights Annual Holiday Referral Program has launched its twelfth year, and once again the Citrus Heights Police Department and the City of Citrus Heights are partnering with various local service clubs, schools, neighborhoods, businesses, and community members to brighten the holidays for several Citrus Heights families. This collaborative effort between all facets of the community specifically targets assistance to families residing in the City of Citrus Heights who have had a financial or other hardship in 2020. Last year the program worked with a myriad of City groups, service clubs, businesses, non-profit organizations, schools, and community members to assist over 21 families, including 62 children and 35 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. We rely heavily on the community to help make this effort a success. Participation can include: donation of new items, adopting a family, volunteering, or all of the above. Community members can donate or nominate a family who needs assistance.

To refer a family for consideration, a “Holiday Referral Program Application” must be completed. The applications can be found online at www.citrusheightspd.net from November 2 – November 13. Completed applications can be emailed to [email protected].

Also, new this year, we have an online submission option available in English, Spanish and Russian. We will begin accepting donations on Monday, November 23, 2020 through Tuesday, December 15. Donations can be dropped off at the Sunrise Mall on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. with one late drop off time of 7:00 p.m. on December 2. We are also encouraging Citrus Heights businesses to work with their employee teams to either collect donations for our program or adopt a family. We are additionally looking for businesses to 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) 727-4746.