WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - We brought you a story, prior to the holidays, about a group of kids working for their community. They call themselves West Sac Kids Give Back and for the last 7 years this group gathers the supplies from local businesses and community members to assemble “Care Packs” for the homeless members of our community. This year, over 100 kids and their families came out to donate and make packages.

Noa Orozco and his friends Max and Ezra joined the effort with a few other friends to help the community members most in need. This year, they thought that the events may not be able to take place because Quirina Orozco, mother of Noa, is usually the parent that hosts the events. This year however, she was prosecuting a child sexual abuse trial for several weeks. The community and the WSKGB partners helped move the effort forward to support and make it happen.

Joyce Dunn, of the West Sacramento Active Aging Knit and Crochet Club personally knitted and donated over 250 beanies. OLG student council came out to model their amazing leadership skills, bringing donations and making dozens of care packages. One child even gave an on-air interview for channel 10.

County Supervisor Oscar Villegas served as Santa Claus on the 21st in the cold rainy evening at Streets of London. He has been their Santa for many years. Troy Bird, past President of the Mighty Rotary Club of West Sac was an amazing Santa on Sunday 12/19. Hot cocoa served at both events and coffee on Sunday morning event.

Local businesses such as LENISE’S Cafe, Streets of London and Kick n Mule helped support the local effort to help kids understand the value of service above self. Together these kids, their families and the various other volunteers assembled over 250 care packs and donated them directly to the agencies involved. In addition, they donated far more items directly to those agencies.

Recipient organizations include; Yolo County Children’s Alliance, Collings Teen Center, Mercy Coalition, Downtown Streets Team and the West Sacramento Police Department for the Project Home Key and the Permanent Supportive Housing programs.