The Citrus Heights Police Department, Police Activities League (PAL) and the City of Citrus Heights are again partnering with a variety of community groups and businesses to provide gifts to in-need families this holiday season.
The annual community effort specifically seeks to provide assistance to families residing in Citrus Heights “who have had a financial or other hardship in 2016,” Police Lt. Jason Russo said in a news release. Last year, police said the program assisted over 50 families and enlisted the help of more than 50 service and social clubs, business groups, churches, schools, and community members.
Now in its eighth year, police said the community-involved program was created to provide participating families with food, household items, clothes and toys for the children. Each year the department accept referral applications from the community who refer local families who they believe have experienced a recent hardship.
Several families are also selected to have the gifts delivered by a police convoy. Last year’s gift delivery involved a convoy of more than a dozen police vehicles with flashing lights, two dozen police officers and their families, and the Citrus Heights mayor.
[From last year: Citrus Heights police convoy delivers Christmas gifts to kids, families]
Donations for the 2016 program are accepted through Monday, Dec. 19. Items can be dropped off at the Citrus Heights Police Department, located at 6315 Fountain Square Dr. Drop-off hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Questions can be emailed to holidayreferral@citrusheights.net, or (916) 727-5565.
