CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Fun holiday family events in Citrus Heights just keep coming. Two of these were held over the weekend. One brought families in Citrus Heights together for a fun afternoon with their children. The other provided a safe and noisy summer camp atmosphere for the kids to entertain themselves while their parents spent the morning Christmas shopping.

On Saturday, Winter Wonderland at the Citrus Heights Community Center brought families together for a special afternoon. Each child received a free raffle ticket at the door for one free gift of their choice along with cookies and a photo with Santa to take home.  Gigi Rayford, Executive Director of Citrus Heights Arts and Ralph Gomez with Good Life Fire Restoration organized the event. Rayford explained that toys not claimed by the 236 children who attended will be donated to the Sayonara Youth Center and Mariposa Elementary School.

The sponsors who helped to make this event possible are Mayor Porsche Middleton, Citrus Heights Police Department, Inter Stat Cooperative, City of Citrus Heights, Lava Mama Soap Company, Sac Metro Fire, Good Life Fire Restoration, Sunrise Marketplace, Mesa Verde Cheerleaders, and Stone’s Gambling Hall

On Sunday the Sunrise Recreation and Park District sponsored its annual Brunch with Santa event. Recreation Superintendent Marty Buell, explained that upon arrival families enjoyed a pancake breakfast provided entirely by the Antelope Lions Club and had a photo with Santa taken. As parents headed out to shop, their kids headed onto the floor and tables for games, artwork and crafts. With 45 children, Miss Kathy (Jay), director of the Rusch Park Preschool and her staff managed all the activity quite well. Jay has been teaching at the school there for 18 years; her own children attended in the early 1990’s.