From left, Denise Hinkson, Margaret Cleek (Board Secretary), Irene Hronicek (Board Chair), Mikhaila Freas (Social Media & Communications), Diane Ebbitt, Kathilynn Carpenter (Board Treasurer), Mike Nishimura, Marcy Phipps. Missing: Katherine McBride. Photo courtesy of the City of Citrus Heights

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - On Oct. 23 the Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) hosted its ninth annual Spaghetti Fest at the Citrus Heights Event Center. This is the main fundraiser for the year to raise funds to help fund the annual two-month Winter Sanctuary program and serve the unhoused and homeless in Citrus Heights by providing housing and rental assistance. They also provide meals, showers and access to assistance through Living Waters Respite Care and community meals at the Celtic HART Café, Celtic Heart Presbyterian Church.

Nearly 350 attendees arrived to enjoy the evening, meet old friends and make new ones. With such a large group attending from Citrus Heights and beyond, many used their time between getting refreshments and checking out the 29 amazing silent auction and 63 raffle items; to read the reserved table names and find friends and organizations they had lost touch with. It was a refreshing ‘old friends’ night.

Invocations for transformation for all who are experiencing homelessness and for all who come together in the community to help were given by Pastors Julia and Thomas Woods of Living Waters.

From left are Kathilynn Carpenter, Mikhaila Freas and Irene Hronicek. Photo courtesy of the City of Citrus Heights

Master of Ceremony Mark Hronicek kicked off the evening welcoming attendees, and acknowledging dignitaries present, including members and former members of the Citrus Heights City Council, and County Supervisor Rosario Rodriquez. He thanked all the veterans who attended for their service.

Meanwhile, while attendees were enjoying the evening, nearly 50 students from the Mesa Verde High School Key Club, AVID - (Advancement Via Individual Determination) a rigorous college prep program, and the Public Safety Pathway program were working hard to make the evening fun for all while earning community service hours. Retired Citrus Heights Police Department Sargeant Janet Schaefer is their mentor and has exciting plans for their future. She shared they are excelling in sports and showing academic improvements.

Nearly 50 students from the Mesa Verde High School Key Club, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) a rigorous college prep program, and the Public Safety Pathway program were working hard to make the evening fun for all while earning community service hours. Photo courtesy of the City of Citrus Heights

Elena’s Kitchen and Catering provided a meal of all you can eat salad, spaghetti and meatballs, bread and ice cream for dessert.

Live band, Rebel Creek provided entertainment for the evening.

Attendees included HART supporters the City of Citrus Heights, five churches, American Legion Post 637, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Grace House NORCAL, North Sacramento HART and Living Waters Assemble of God.

Mikhaila Freas, Sunrise MarketPlace social media coordinator gave a huge thank you to the Key Club at Mesa Verde and Citrus Heights Kiwanis Club for volunteering and to the photographer Kareem Daniels with Looking Forward Photo Booths

There were six 2026 award recipients. Former HART client Sharon Doreumus received the award for Outstanding Achievement. According to her presenter, her story proves “your past does not have to determine your future.”  She had been on the streets for many years, getting to know the Citrus Heights police very well. She worked very hard breaking a generational curse. She is also someone’s daughter and someone’s mother. It was a community effort. After she finally took advantage of the resources available to her through the HART programs, and Grace House she broke the curse. Sharon volunteers at several local programs. Her daughter witnessed her receiving her award.

Tom Cooper received the Outstanding Volunteer award having come off the street years ago and working hard to help others, helping at the showers at Living Waters, working at the Winter Sanctuary intake every night and the overnight shift at Holy Family’s fireworks booth. He continually encourages all those he meets who are where he was.

The Outstanding Humanitarian award was given to Dianne Ebbitt. Ebbitt surprised all by announcing she is leaving Citrus Heights to move to Kansas. She has been a mainstay in Citrus Heights, involved in many organizations including HART, Rotary Club, Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce and Police Activities League (PAL). She will be missed!

Other awards were accepted by Sunrise MarketPlace for Outstanding Supporter, Grace House for Outstanding Faith Based Organization and Ladies Relief Society and LDS Citrus Heights Stake for Outstanding Partner.