Placer County Health and Human Services highlights three holiday giving opportunities. Photo courtesy of Placer County

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - As the holiday season approaches, Placer County Health and Human Services is encouraging community members to support local children and animals through three seasonal giving opportunities across Placer County.

The Placer County Older Adults Advisory Commission is hosting its annual stuffed animal drive, collecting new stuffed animals for first responders to give to children and others they encounter during traumatic situations.

Donations will be accepted Nov. 1–30 at more than 15 collection locations throughout Placer County. Click here for the full list of locations. 

Each year, Placer County also works to collect gifts for foster children and other children served by HHS. Each child is asked what they’d like and then the request is notated on a tag. For the fourth year, The Goularte Group is helping organize the drive for Placer County. Those interested in purchasing gifts for local foster children can soon visit this link to select a child and sign up.  

Gift collection will occur at a holiday celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Loomis Train Depot, 5775 Horseshoe Bar Road in Loomis. 

For more information about donations, wish tags, volunteer opportunities and the holiday event, visit www.holidaymiracleprogram.com.

Placer County Animal Services is also encouraging residents to remember shelter animals during the holiday season.

Beginning in December, a giving tree will be available in the Animal Services shelter lobby, featuring tags with suggested items for dogs, cats and other animals in the shelter’s care. Community members can select a tag and donate an item.

Monetary donations and additional wish-list information are also available through the Placer County Animal Services website.