CHPD seeks donations, referrals to help in-need families during holidays

Sentinel staff report–
November is here, and that means the Citrus Heights Police Department and 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 is now in its 10th year and seeks to provide assistance to families residing in Citrus Heights who “have experienced a hardship or critical event in their life over the past year that has caused a significant change in their financial abilities,” according to an Oct. 30 news release from the police department. Last year, police said the program assisted over 35 families, including 263 children and 87 adults, and enlisted the help of more than 90 service and social clubs, business groups, churches, schools, and community members.

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As a referral-based program, the department accepts applications from community members who refer local families that have been through a recent hardship. Referrals are accepted from Nov. 1-16 this year, via an online application or hard copy form available at the police department’s front desk.

Qualifying families are provided with food, household items, clothes and toys for children. Several families are also selected to have the gifts delivered by a police convoy — an annual high-profile trek through the city filled with flashing lights, dozens of police officers and their families, and Citrus Heights leaders.

VIDEO: Citrus Heights police convoy delivers Christmas gifts to kids, families

Donations for the 2018 program will be accepted from Nov. 19 through Dec. 21 at the Citrus Heights Police Department, located at 6315 Fountain Square Drive. Drop-off hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Local businesses are also being asked to adopt a family or place donation bins in their stores.

Additional information and application forms are available at www.citrusheightspd.net. Questions can be emailed to holidayreferral@citrusheights.net, or (916) 727-5564.