The Rotary Club of Santa Paula has launched its annual drive to collect and deliver food and toys to at least 450 needy families and their children in Santa Paula for Christmas.
 
The Rotarians will be filling boxes with frozen chickens, canned goods, rice, beans, potatoes, and fruit, as well as toys and books for the children. Members of the Rotary Club of Santa Paula, and other community volunteers, will load up trucks and deliver baskets on the morning of Thursday, December 24, 2009. The success of the program is largely dependent on the generosity of the community. Students, churches, scout troops, clubs, and mobile home parks have all contributed in the past and are asked again to help your fellow Santa Paulans in need this Christmas season. If you would like to help assemble boxes with food and toys this year, please contact Rotarian Scott Rushing at 525-3417. This year applications to receive a basket may be picked up at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley Harvard Site at 1400 E. Harvard Blvd. Applications must be made in person. Applicants must provide proof of residency and income when applying. Applications may be picked up and dropped off on Monday November 23 between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 24 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, November 25 from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. For further information about the application process, please contact Doug Caldwell at 525-7910. For more information on donations to the program, please contact Scott Rushing at (805) 525-3417 or Elias Valdes at (805) 525-6792. Monetary contributions may be given to any Santa Paula Rotary Club member or mailed to the Rotary Club at P.O. Box 809, Santa Paula, CA 93061. Please make all checks payable to Santa Paula Rotary Christmas Basket Fund. You may also access our website at www.santapaularotary.org. Collection points for canned goods and toys have been established at Fire Station #1 at 114 S. 10th Street, Fire Station #2 at 536 W. Main St., the Santa Paula Police Department at 214 S. 10th Street, Santa Clara Valley Bank at 901 E. Main Street, Rushing Real Estate at 120 Dean Drive, Santa Paula Community Bank at 537 W. Harvard Blvd., and Curves at 922 E. Main Street. Donations will be accepted at the Santa Paula Community Center at 530 W. Main Street on Tuesday afternoon, December 22nd. Once again, thank you for helping ensure at least 450 families and their children will have a Happy Holiday!