CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Members of the Citrus Heights Kiwanis Club and Soroptimist International of Citrus Heights co-host their 39th annual Crab Feed fundraising dinner on Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Citrus Heights Event Center, (formerly the Community Center) at 6500 Fountain Square Drive.

Members of the Citrus Heights Kiwanis and Soroptimist clubs are “wall raiser” co-sponsors for the event. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner starts at 7 p.m. For information on available tickets, call Jim Putnam at 916-849-1040 or email [email protected].

The dinner helps raise funds towards the construction of new moderate to low-income housing on Sayonara Drive scheduled to break ground in spring/summer 2025. These new single-family homes will provide stable housing for nearly 120 low-income individuals, including children.

The joint development project between Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento (HfHGS) and the city of Citrus Heights will build 26 half-plex ownership housing units in the 7800 block of Sayonara Drive.

“This is our 39th Annual Crab Feed, it is our major fundraiser which supports the local programs which we partner with,” said club member Vernon Brown, responding on behalf Katie Escajeda, Kiwanis Club president.

A colorful smiling crab wearing a bright yellow hard hat, holds the logos of the Soroptimists and the Kiwanis in its pincers.

“This year, one of our Kiwanis Club members has made a generous donation to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento in the amount of $15,000 and our Citrus Heights club has committed to donate another $10,000,” Brown said. “That’s a great start towards the funds necessary to help build this important new housing project in our city.”

Members of the Citrus Heights Kiwanis Club will also participate in the project’s designated build days, with a number of cumulative volunteer hours to be determined, he said.

The Citrus Heights Kiwanis Club was chartered on July 25, 1972. The club has been a dedicated force for good in our community for over 50 years, Brown said.

“As part of Kiwanis International, a global network of over 7,700 clubs in 80 countries, our mission is clear: ‘Serving the Children of the World,’” Brown said.

Annual scholarships are provided to graduating high school seniors at Bella Vista High School, Center High School, Mesa Verde High School and San Juan High School by the club. The Mesa Verde High School Key Club, Mesa Verde Community Garden, Mesa Verde Girl’s Basketball, the Sayonara Center, Shriner’s Hospital, the Rusch Park Annual Easter Egg Hunt, the Citrus Heights Police Athletic League (PAL), Citrus Heights HART and the Citrus Heights Community Marching Band are just some of the community groups supported by club members.

The Kiwanis Club of Citrus Heights will host its 18th annual Golf Tournament at the Sierra View Country Club in August, Brown said.

“The upcoming crab feed has in the past raised a net profit of about $35,000 each year,” Brown said. “We appreciate the generosity and support of the greater Citrus Heights community who come together to help support this fundraiser and make it successful each year.”