Local nonprofit community organizations will collect new and gently used items at a drive-thru donation drive during the upcoming 10th annual Community Service Day presented by the city of Folsom. The donation drive component of the big day will be at Lakeside Church, located at 745 Oak Avenue Parkway. Collections will take placefrom 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 16.
The donation drive calls for a number of different items, from pet food to eyeglasses, bicycles, toys, clothing, blood and more. Here’s a look at the many items being collected below. If you have something specific to donation and aren’t sure if it can be used, you can call 916-461-6632 for more information about the Community Service Day donation drive.
Community Blood Drive
As part of Folsom Community Service Day, Vitalant is hosting a community blood drive from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 16 at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Parkway in Folsom. The bloodmobile bus will be located in the parking lot. Schedule an appointment online in advance. The entire donation process takes about one hour; donors must be at least age 16. For eligibility questions call Vitalant at 877-258-4825 or visit vitalant.org for more information. Your blood donation can help save a life!
Bicycles for Children and Adults – Folsom State Prison will collect new or used bicycles. The bicycles are refurbished by Folsom State Prison inmates and then later donated to community members in need.
Eyeglasses – The Folsom Host Lions Club will collect new or used eyeglasses for the Folsom Vision Project, which provides glasses to those who cannot afford them.
Yarn and Fabric – The Folsom Lake Lions Club will collect yarn to support the Hooks N Needles program at Folsom State Prison, where inmates crochet, knit, and sew a variety of items such as caps, scarves, small blankets, and toys. The collected fabric is donated to Placer County Jail, where inmates make blankets, pillows, backpacks, tree ornaments, superhero capes, and more. The finished items are then donated to a number of charitable organizations.
Happy Smiles Toy Drive – New toys for children of all ages are being collected for regional children’s hospitals and nonprofits. Items being collected include large puzzles (250-500 pieces), card games, squeeze toys/balls/fidgets, Squishmallows, Lego/Duplo kits, craft kits, gift cards (Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Target, Amazon, Walmart).
Toy/gift card donations may be brought to the Happy Smiles Toy Drive collection boxes at these locations now through September 15, and to Lakeside Church the morning of September 16:
- Folsom Public Library – 411 Stafford Street
- Safeway – 1850 Prairie City Road
- Toy Donation Drive Sponsor – 299 Fetter Court
Purses – Julie’s Purse Project will collect new and gently used purses and donate them to regional organizations that assist homeless women, survivors of sex trafficking and domestic violence, wildfire survivors, and women being released on parole from Folsom Prison.
Shelter Pet Supplies – help animals in need at the Sacramento SPCA and Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue. Items accepted: soft training treats for dogs, peanut butter (xylitol free), unopened dry dog food (for community pet pantry), cat food (canned pate style), cat toys, cardboard cat scratchers, canned unsweetened pumpkin, Kong toys for dogs (L & XL needed the most), misc dog toys, trash bags, poop bags, dog “cookie” treats, blankets (new/gently used), paper towels, and pill pockets.
Hygiene Products and Gift Wrapping Supplies – hygiene products for all ages and genders (shampoo, toothpaste, brushes, combs, soap, etc.) and Christmas gift wrapping supplies (rolls of wrapping paper, ribbon spools, bows, gift bags, etc.) are being collected for donation to WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment).
Coats – New and gently used coats are being collected for donation to regional organizations that assist homeless and foster youth.
Citywide Food Drive
Folsom’s Community Service Day also includes a citywide food drive to benefit the Twin Lakes Food Bank. Volunteers will drop off empty grocery bags and a list of needed nonperishable, unexpired food items to every household in Folsom. Place your filled bag on your driveway before 8 a.m. Saturday, September 16 for volunteers to pick up. Find more information about the food drive online.
Most-Needed Food Drive Items:
- Cereal
- Canned tuna and chicken
- Chili
- Pasta
- Canned ravioli
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Nutrition supplement drinks (Ensure)
- Pasta sauce
Community Service Day in Folsom is a citywide initiative that unites thousands of volunteers in accomplishing numerous service projects across the city, leaving a positive and lasting impact. Projects range from landscaping, repairing area parks, cleaning various areas, trail improvements, a city wide food drive and much more each year.
In the past, this event has had a collaborative 19,000 volunteers since its inception 10 years ago, completing over 900 projects for city areas, over 500 exterior projects for area senior and collected over 537,000 pound of food in its citywide food drive on the same day. But there is still much work to do across the city of Folsom and your participation is needed.
Community Service Day needs more than 1,000 volunteers to complete projects this year. Most of the projects don’t require any special skills other than a willingness to pitch in where needed and a desire to make a positive and lasting impact in the community. Early registration is encouraged as project teams fill quickly. To learn more about registering, visit the official the even website at: www.folsomcommunityservice.org where you can review the many projects slated for Sept. 16 and sign up for the one that you feel is the best fit and still had openings.
Community Service Day is organized by the City of Folsom, local businesses, and community organizations that sponsor the event.
Community Service Day is organized by the City of Folsom, local businesses, and community organizations that sponsor the event. Sponsors for the 2023 event and their investment levels are as follows according to the City of Folsom:
Presenting Sponsors: Dignity Health, Intel
Visionary Sponsors: Lennar, Folsom Times, Lakeside Church, Style Media Group
Leader Sponsors: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Folsom Telegraph,Rotary Club of Folsom,
Partner Sponsors: Dokken Engineering; Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento; Kaiser Permanente; American Logowear; Elliott Homes, Inc.; Kikkoman; WinCo
Good Neighbor Sponsors: Choose Folsom, SAFE Credit Union, Sierra Marlins, CynSational Aesthetics, American River Ace Hardware, Big Wave Coffee House
