Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season in the Sacramento Area

As a small, independent company, Lyon Real Estate is passionate about supporting the work of local businesses — especially charities, nonprofit organizations and other philanthropic establishments. That’s why we created the Lyon Cares Foundation, which provides time, talent and treasure to local nonprofits that make their communities a better place. By the end of 2017, each of Lyon’s 14 offices, in addition to our headquarters office, will have given two $5,000 grants to organizations of their choice, totaling $150,000.

The holiday season evokes a spirit of giving, and charitable organizations capitalize on this by providing plenty of opportunities to help those in need. Explore the many ways you can give back during the holidays — from fundraising events to opportunities to volunteer your time, money and resources during a season that can be difficult for many.

Volunteer Opportunities + Events

The Salvation Army Volunteer Opportunities

Our local Salvation Army has plenty of ways you can get involved with their various holiday campaigns. Help serve a meal at the annual Thanksgiving dinner at their Center of Hope Shelter, ring a bell throughout the holiday season to collect donations, sort food at Cal Expo, or distribute toys and food right before Christmas. Get all the details about these incredible opportunities here:

• Thanksgiving Meal at the Salvation Army Center of Hope Shelter — Thursday, November 23, 2017
• Bell Ringing at South Placer County locations — November 24–December 24, 2017
• Food Sorting and Boxing at Cal Expo — December 1 + 2, 2017
• Distribution of Angel Tree Toys & Food at Cal Expo — December 20, 2017

Sacramento Loaves & Fishes Thanksgiving Meal

November 13–19, 2017

Sacramento Loaves & Fishes is serving their annual Thanksgiving meal to over 1,000 people, which requires 300 turkeys, 400 pies, 200 cans of yams, and 100 gallons of apple juice. This would be quite impossible without the help of many! That’s where you come in.

Bring a needed food item or two to help fulfill their needs for this massive meal. If you can’t purchase the items on their list, consider making a monetary donation and they will happily do the shopping for you! Deliver your donated food items by November 19 at the Loaves & Fishes Warehouse, located at 1351 North C Street. Their Thanksgiving Meal will take place on Tuesday, November 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Run to Feed the Hungry

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Get moving on Thanksgiving morning at the Run to Feed the Hungry, benefitting Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. Whether you participate in the 10K run at 8:15 a.m., or the 5K at 9 a.m., you are actively supporting the efforts of SFBFS. This local nonprofit is dedicated to assisting those in need by alleviating their immediate pain and problems, and moving them toward self-sufficiency and financial independence.

If you’re not interested in racing but still want to give, you can sign up as a Drumstick Dasher to receive a t-shirt and bib — plus, you can skip the running and cheer on from the sidelines. And of course, your registration purchase will go to help those in need!

Giving Tuesday With The Yoga Seed Collective

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, make sure you are not completely spent (physically and financially!). Established in 2012, Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.

The Yoga Seed Collective invites you to become a part of their 24-hour Giving Tuesday filled with classes and events. They have a fundraising goal of $8,000, which will go to Yoga Seed’s Outreach Program — a program offering yoga and wellness education classes to overcome obstacles in the community such as obesity, depression and substance abuse. Participate in yoga and donate to their cause focused on bettering the health and wellbeing of the community.

Stand Up Sacramento

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Laugh for a cause at Stand Up Sacramento, a charitable comedy showcase event benefiting TLCS, Inc., a nonprofit that has assisted over 4,000 people struggling with mental illness. Stand Up Sacramento will take place on Giving Tuesday at The Crest Theater in downtown Sacramento at 7:30 p.m. Purchase your tickets for $20, or pay $100 to enjoy a VIP reception from 5:30–7:30 p.m., complete with wine, beer, small plates, and a silent auction. Help the cause even more by volunteering to help out with Stand Up Sacramento from 5–10 p.m.!

CCHAT Holly Jolly Holiday Celebration

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Photo Courtesy of CCHAT Center Sacramento

CCHAT Center Sacramento is a unique auditory/oral school whose mission is to teach children who are deaf and hard of hearing to listen and develop spoken language. Support this incredible mission at their annual Holly Jolly Holiday Celebration at Blue Line Arts in Roseville. Attendees will enjoy beer, wine, food, a raffle and more — and all proceeds will directly benefit CCHAT. Purchase your tickets in advance for CCHAT’s Holly Jolly Holiday Celebration, hosted by McCoy Fatula, APC!

Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Head to Crocker Park to be a part of the longest-standing, holiday-themed 5K race series anywhere. And more importantly, fight to conquer a horrible disorder alongside the Arthritis Foundation, leading the fight for the arthritis community through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections.

Get your holiday-themed gear ready and register for this fun, festive and philanthropic race! Each participant will receive a race bib, hot cocoa, jingle bells, a performance t-shirt, and one free beer in the Beer Garden (for those 21 and over).

Sacramento Santa Run

Saturday, December 16, 2017

The Sacramento Santa Run brings a day of fun for the whole family, featuring a 5K run/walk and Merry Mile. Take part in the festivities at the finish line in Sacramento’s Downtown Plaza, with cookies, milk, music and snow. All participants are encouraged to dress up as Santa Claus (one Santa suit is provided for each registration entry!), or one of your favorite holiday characters. Run alongside thousands of Santas in downtown Sacramento for a wonderful cause benefitting a local organization.

Folsom Christmas Classic

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Photo Courtesy of Folsom Christmas Classic

The Folsom Christmas Classic features a 10K, 5K and a Santa Fun Run for children under 10. Get your festive costume ready and register for this community event benefitting the Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance. This local non-profit organization in Roseville supports children with cancer and their families with emotional, educational and financial support, while increasing awareness and funding research toward a cure.

After the races, stick around for a raffle and vendor booths. All proceeds from the raffle go directly to Keaton’s Child Cancer Alliance. If you can’t attend on race day or you’re unable to run, you can still help by registering as a virtual runner. As such, you can run wherever you are or just cheer the runners on from your couch!

Ongoing Ways to Give Back

Farm Fresh to You’s Donate-a-Box Program

Photo Courtesy of Farm Fresh to You

There are far too many children, working families and individuals in our communities battling hunger. Farm Fresh to You has instilled a wonderful Donate-a-Box program, where you can join their farm’s efforts to get fresh, nutritious produce in the hands of those battling hunger. Simply choose the donation option that works best for you — from a small to “monster” box — and they will add it to their local food bank deliveries. Every box makes a big difference in the fight against hunger!

The Sacramento Sheriff’s Toy Project

The Sheriff’s Toy Project is an innovative collaboration between peace officers, non-profit agencies, private donors and businesses. It was created to better serve less fortunate children and families by providing gifts, bicycles, computers, clothing and food boxes for more than 7,500 families during the holidays. Give a physical item or monetary donation to assist in the efforts of this exceptional program.

Toys for Tots

One of the most popular Christmas charities in the country, Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys to help less fortunate children in the community celebrate the holidays and know they’re cared for.

You can help by creating your own toy drop site, dropping a toy or two at any stop in the community, or donating to the foundation from the comfort of your own home.

Host a Donation Drive For Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Take the reigns of the philanthropic efforts in your sphere by hosting a donation drive to benefit the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Set up a place in your office, church or community center to collect donations of non-perishable foods such as tuna, peanut butter, soups, and canned fruits and vegetables. They even provide a helpful food drive wish list and poster to make the process easier.

If you don’t have room for a barrel in the lobby of your building, you can set up your own Virtual Food Drive to raise money for fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products that will be distributed to local families in need.

Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento

The Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento is committed to positively impacting the lives of children, youth and families affected by abuse, neglect, behavioral health issues and trauma in California. There are three ways to come alongside their efforts in bettering the community this holiday season.

1. Give the gift of vital services and items. Help provide children and youth with life-changing gifts of services like play therapy, independent living skills and family reunification counseling. Check out their holiday wish list to fulfill some of their specific needs!
2. Donate through the Angel program at Arden Fair Mall. Pick up individual angels in Center Court (by Nordstrom) starting November 28 and shop for gifts for children and youth who will be in their care this holiday season.
3. Volunteer to staff their Angel table at Arden Fair Mall. Email Brady Oppenheim at brady@crhkids.org for more information.

Loaves & Fishes Christmas Stocking Drive

Each year, during their holiday meal to help those in need, Loaves & Fishes provides each of their guests with a special Christmas stocking. The community makes this possible by providing stockings filled with the following items:

• Gift Card (Subway, McDonalds, Target, Safeway, etc.) for guest emergency services
• One set of stretch/knit hat and gloves
• Disposable razors
• A pair of shoelaces
• Chapstick
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hand Sanitizer
• Travel-size toiletry items (lotions, Vaseline, conditioners, shampoos, deodorant)
• Playing Cards

Consider making a stocking donation this year to bless someone who needs these items! The stockings should be approximately 14-16 inches long and 6-8 inches wide. Deliveries can be dropped off at their warehouse located at 1351 North C Street, and should be delivered by December 23.

Happy Holidays!

We hope you join us in spreading love, cheer and a giving spirit this holiday season.