Sonoma Valley’s largest holiday gift initiative seeks community support

Almost 2,000 Sonoma Valley residents had their holidays made brighter last year thanks to the Sonoma Valley Holiday Program. Four years after its launch, it is the largest program in the Valley for holiday gift philanthropy.

As a result of a new collaboration with the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County’s Secret Santa Program, this year even more people are expected to participate in the Sonoma Valley Holiday Program and procedures have been put in place to make it easier for families and individuals to do so.

“A unique and very important benefit of our new collaboration this year is that Sonoma Valley families and individuals simply call ‘2-1-1’ to register,” said Sonoma Valley Holiday program founder Constance Grizell. “In addition, the phone bank volunteers will inquire if there are other health and human services needed and provide referrals to local, state and federal assistance programs. This could be a huge educational benefit for many of the recipients as to what other services might be available for them and specific contact information.”

The two primary components of the program this year are an adopt-a-family initiative called Secret Santa’s Letters and a Secret Santa Hearts program through which donors select hearts and shop for gifts of specific requested items.

The operation also has a new address this year. The program’s new collection and distribution site for 2016 is the empty Church Mouse location next to the Boyes Hot Springs post office.

“Jack Mettallinos has generously donated the space at 10 Boyes Blvd. to us,” said Grizell. “This will be a great location for many of our recipients located in the Springs and a wonderful venue for our program.”

The gift distribution will take place on Sunday, Dec. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 19 and 20, from 4 to 8 p.m.

The program’s holiday dinner, which was attended by 68 people last year, is also different this year. Sonoma Brown Baggers clients and the residents of Sonoma Overnight Support are invited to a sit-down dinner, served by some of Teen Services of Sonoma’s trained youth. There will be entertainment and guests will receive individual gifts requested and survival gear, thanks to the Secret Hearts program. The joint-effort Sonoma Valley Holiday Dinner will be hosted at the Finnish American Home Association (FAHA) this year, instead of at St. Leo’s Church.

Despite the boon of administrative support provided by the Volunteer Center of Sonoma County, Grizell said that all aspects of the Sonoma Valley Holiday program are in need of donations.

“Please keep your eye out for our Secret Santa and Secret Hearts displays around town,” she said. “We hope that everyone in the community who can, will choose one or more requested gifts and drop them, along with the tag, at our new space on Highway 12. We are really hoping to make all these wishes come true to help ensure a special holiday season for these families in need.”

More information, and the ability to review the gifts needed and make donations, as well as to volunteer as a driver, is online at svholiday.org or call 931-4114.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.