Holiday police program benefits needy Citrus Heights families

Updated Dec. 16, 5:44 p.m.–
Kicking off the season of giving, the Citrus Heights Police Department announced it is again partnering with the community this year through its annual Holiday Referral Program — a community-involved effort created to help families who experienced a hardship over the past year.

“Our goal is to give [in-need families] a very nice holiday Christmas along with presents and a Christmas meal,” said Police Support Services Manager Sandy Maraviov. She called the annual program “fantastic” and said 90 adults and 314 kids were helped last year, after being referred by community members.

Now in its seventh year, police said the program has brought together dozens of business groups, churches, schools, and residents to help donate food, household items, toys and clothes – with donations again being sought this year. The Department said in a recent news release that it “[relies] heavily on the community to help make the effort a success,” and encouraged local businesses to place donation bins in their lobbies for collecting new toys, clothes and other items.

Last year, police and City officials helped personally deliver donated items, which included 65 turkeys. The same day, 13 lucky students were also given free gift cards and were taken on a trip to Walmart for CHPD’s annual “Shop with a Cop” event.

[From last year: Police hand out ‘holiday cheer’ to Citrus Heights families, kids]

To be considered for the program, referred families must have “experienced a hardship or critical event in their life over the past year that has caused a significant change in their financial abilities.” Maraviov said citizens or businesses wishing to take responsibility for assisting a referred family this season can also request to “adopt a family” for the Holiday program.

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Donations will be accepted inside the police department until Dec. 21, at 6315 Fountain Square Dr. Drop-off hours are between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Items must be unwrapped, and used or expired items will not be accepted.

Those interested in volunteering or adopting a family are invited to email holidayreferral@citrusheights.net, or call (916) 727-5500. Referral applications are available at www.CitrusHeightsPD.net.