Give back locally this holiday season
The holiday season has arrived, and often, some are encouraged to help others who may be in need in helping their festive dreams come true.
Locally, there are many organizations that lend a hand to Lassen County residents, both young and old, and they are looking for support from the community to stock their shelves and help those in need.
Here are some ways you can lend a hand this holiday season.
Holiday with a Hero
Lassen County Holiday with a Hero is seeking donations to help local youth connect with first responders and get the shopping spree of their dreams.
Set for Dec. 21 this year, the sixth annual Holiday with a Hero hopes to help at least 150 local children shop for the holiday gift of their dreams during a fun-filled morning at Walmart. Past events have even featured Santa’s arrival via helicopter. The children nominated for the shopping spree each have $100 to spend.
Interested sponsors can drop off monetary donations and Walmart giftcards to the Susanville Fire Department, and checks can be made out to Holiday with a Hero. There is also a fundraiser through the Lassen County Holiday with a Hero Facebook page.
Salvation Army
With the familiar ringing of the Red Kettle bells comes the reminder to help those in need locally.
The Susanville Salvation Army has numerous ways those interested in giving can help this year, from food and monetary donations to selecting a child off an Angel Tree and giving gifts to help make their dreams come true.
This year, the Susanville Salvation Army is hoping to provide meals for about 100 families, and many of the ingredients for sides and desserts are still needed, according to Juanita Williams, Salvation Army coordinator. The organization is seeking canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, boxed pie crusts, yams, boxed mashed potatoes and stuffing mixes to help complete their Christmas meal boxes. Monetary donations are also gladly accepted.
Additionally, customers can purchase bags filled with food at Safeway with the items being donated to Salvation Army.
Donors are also needed for the Angel Trees, which are set up at Walmart, Starbucks, Margie’s Book Nook and Hair Hunters. Angel Tree tickets and gifts should be returned as soon possible, but no later than Dec. 13.
For more information, call 257-0314.
Looking to donate your time instead? The Salvation Army is still in need of some Red Kettle bell ringers this year, with locations at Safeway, Susanville Supermarket and Walmart.
If you’re interested in ringing the bell, call the Kettle Phone at 931-8374.
Toys for Tots
The Lassen County Toys for Tots is a non-profit 501c3 agency, and it collects cash and toy donations to assist family’s and children in the community during the Christmas season.
All donations stay local, the agency says, and it only shops in our local businesses and stores to purchase items for the program, and they give all toys and gifts to local families and children.
This year, toys boxes and donations jars are located at Golden 1 Credit Union, Dollar General, Every Bloomin’ Thing, Johnstonville Store, Grocery Outlet, J&K Guns, Elise’s Barber Shop, Sinclair Gas Station and Mazatlan Grill, as of press time. You can also drop off toys during the Magical Country Christmas event Uptown Saturday, Dec. 7.
Gifts will be distributed Saturday, Dec. 21 in Susanville at the Lassen County Fairgrounds. Recipients will be able to pick up the toys in outlaying areas, including Doyle, Herlong, Westwood, Ravendale and Big Valley at local resource centres, and One-Stops, starting Monday, Dec. 16.
For more information, check out their Facebook page or call 260-1222.
Lassen Senior Services
Lassen Senior Services helps local seniors, including those who are homebound, with meals and services.
The organization is also accepting unexpired and non-perishable food donations, according to director Penny Artz, as well as cash donations.
Artz also mentioned the upcoming Tour of Lights starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, for seniors.
Doing some shopping on Amazon this year? By using Amazon Smiles, shoppers can select local organizations for Amazon to donate to as they shop online. Currently Artz said the organization receives about $100 annually from the service, but hopes that number will increase.
Other ways
Additional ways to give back will be listed in coming editions of the Lassen County Times.