Want to make a huge difference in a local child’s life? A Donation to Holiday with a Hero is a sincere, heartfelt way to put a smile on a young face this Christmas.
“Each donation truly makes a miracle happen for one of our county’s children,” says Holiday with a Hero program organizer Terra Avilla who urges everyone to, “Be a miracle”.
And she truly means just that. Every single dollar contributed to the organization goes directly to the kids, making Holiday with a Hero one of Lassen County’s most powerful forces for good.
“Through community donations our program works to provide not only a holiday shopping spree for the children but a once in a lifetime experience and memories they will never forget,” explains Avilla.
From the moment the huge crowd of young participants lines up to watch a parade of first-responders in their vehicles with lights and sirens blasting, followed by Santa landing in a SEMSA helicopter to greet the kids, until the last toy is checked out and the final cookie eaten, the kids are treated to a Christmassy wonderland like no other. A wonderland where children are getting piggy back rides from fire fighters, having shopping cart races with the police, getting donuts from the Warden and hugs from the Sheriff.
It’s truly magical to be a part of – it is mayhem, and chaos and the most fun you could possibly imagine.
Beyond the holiday cheer the event also strives to bridge the gap between the county’s children and our area’s first-responders. The ‘Heroes’ of the event are local fire fighters, medics, nurses, Correctional Officers, ASB, Cadet Corps, the Lassen College Nursing Program, Susanville Rotary, the LCC Baseball Team, Lassen County Public Health, Police and Fire Explorers, Lassen High School FBLA, FFA and more.
“Children are afforded the opportunity to experience the joy of Christmas not just through a shopping spree but also through the love of our community and our first-responders.”
The number of participants, volunteers and first-responders involved in the annual event has quadrupled since 2014 when the event began with just 30 kids and was solely sponsored by the Susanville Police Officers’ Association.
“Because of the collective participation from everyone involved, our community has been able to reach hundreds of local kids the past five years, ensuring that they feel loved, special and that they have a bright spot in their Holiday season.”
How you can make a difference
Holiday with a Hero is a terrific opportunity to help our local kids in need with 100% of your donation going directly to the child’s shopping spree which will be held December 21st from 7:00 to 9:00.
You can drop off cash, gift cards or checks at the Susanville Fire Department, 1505 Main Street. Please make checks out to Holiday with a Hero.
You can also click here and contribute online at Facebook.
“To every single person who has donated, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” said Avilla. “It matters. It makes a difference. It really does.”
