Whittier Area Families Get Food and Toys

 

 

 

 

Not for Release until December 21, 2010, 9:00 a.m.

 

Contact:  Elisa Vásquez, County CDC, 323-890-7415

 

 

300 LOW-INCOME WHITTIER-AREA FAMILIES

RECEIVE HOLIDAY FOOD BOXES AND TOYS

 

13^th Annual Charitable Event Assists Community Struggling to Make Ends Meet;

Family Becomes Civically Engaged to Help Neighbors in Need

 

 

SOUTH WHITTIER, DECEMBER 21, 2010 - The Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles (CDC) held its 13^th Annual Holiday Basket and Toy Giveaway for 300 pre-registered low-income Whittier-area families.  Santa Claus greeted families, handed out gifts, and took photographs with the excited children at the Community Resource Center (CRC) located in South Whittier.  

            The event was co-sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisors Gloria Molina (1^st District) and Don Knabe (4^th District), whose two constituencies utilize the CRC; the CDC, which serves as the community development and affordable housing agency for the County, the Los Angeles County Fire, Probation, and Children and Family Services Departments, California Highway Patrol; local Girl and Boy Scout troops, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Norwalk Station; and various community groups. 

Stephanie Talavera, a local South Whittier resident, organized her family and
friends to collect canned goods to fill the food boxes and candy canes to give to the children.  “Our goal as a family is to be civically engaged in our community in order to build strong relationships” said Talavera.  “My husband and I were both taught to give to others whenever possible.  We participated in the drive because we want to help our neighbors in need, in hopes that we can all build a stronger South Whittier! ”

Owned by the County and operated by the CDC, the CRC opened on February 11, 1998, and was developed to serve as a productive meeting place for events like today’s giveaway.  The center offers a number of valuable resources and programs, such as youth and family services, educational workshops, a computer learning center, and health care services.

CDC Executive Director Sean Rogan said, “It is the generous support of Supervisors Molina and Knabe and all the other community donors and volunteers that make this annual community tradition possible.  It truly represents the kindness of these groups and individuals and brings the joy of the holidays to these families in need.”

The Community Resource Center is located at 10750 Laurel Avenue in Whittier.  For information on services provided by the CRC, please call (562) 946-2425 or visit the website at www.swcrc.org.