Helpers also provide labor at Santa Paula’s own North Pole, the Community Center, where Rotarians and Christmas Basket supporters spend two days packing boxes to be delivered early Christmas Eve morning.This year, basket applications may be picked up at the Santa Paula Boy’s & Girls Club (1400 E. Harvard Blvd.), Nov. 29th through Dec. 3 only, between 9 and 11:30 a.m.Applicants must appear in person and provide proof of residency and income.For more information on donations to the Christmas Basket project, contact Elias Valdes at 525-6792.Monetary contributions may be given to any Santa Paula Rotary Club member, mailed to Rotary Club, P.O. Box 809, Santa Paula, CA 93061 or Santa Clara Valley Bank c/o Rotary Santa Paula Christmas Basket Program, P.O. Box 191, Santa Paula, CA 93061-0191. Make all checks payable to Santa Paula Rotary Christmas Basket Fund.Canned goods and toys collection points are: Fire Station #1 (114 S. 10th St.), Santa Paula Police Department (214 S. 10th St.) and Santa Clara Valley Bank (901 E. Main St.).Starting Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 22, donations will be accepted at the Santa Paula Community Center, 530 W. Main St.
Rotary Christmas Basket Program a community effort
November 24, 2004
Santa Paula News
Along with the Optimist Club Christmas Parade and Hospice’s Light Up A Life, the Rotary Club of Santa Paula’s Christmas Basket program is another traditional way to celebrate the holidays.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAlong with the Optimist Club Christmas Parade and Hospice’s Light Up A Life, the Rotary Club of Santa Paula’s Christmas Basket program is another traditional way to celebrate the holidays.The Rotary Club is looking for donations for this year’s basket program that will provide Christmas for more than 400 needy families, including a special toy personally selected for each boy and girl in the household.Rotarians and their helpers rise bright and early on Christmas Eve morning to deliver the baskets to pre-screened needy families throughout Santa Paula.Each family receives boxes filled with enough frozen chickens, canned goods, rice, beans, potatoes and fruit to feed the family for days beyond Christmas. The children receive toys, books and other goodies that will make their eyes light up for the holidays.Rotary Club 2004 Christmas Basket Program Chairman Steve Jump said the effort “brings joy to people’s lives that they otherwise might not have,” during the holidays, “not only the meals and the presents for the children, but knowing that the community cares about them and each other.”The Rotary Club Christmas Basket Program is truly a community event: aside from donations of food, toys and cash, several groups ranging from Scouts to Future Farmers of America to mobile home park residents have drives to help the club make Christmas a reality for our city’s neediest families. In fact, the success of the program is largely dependent on the generosity of the community.
