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While awards of commendation line the walls at the Help the Children Santa Clarita facility, it is very apparent that their mission is not about the accolades, but rather the people in our community and how they can help them. Last year, I had the unique opportunity to spend an evening with those at Help the Children Santa Clarita. This year I returned to the facility to see it still thriving, with a volunteer staff hard at work, was simply inspiring. Help the Children organization was established in 1998. “I saw there was a need to help people, so I had to help,” states Roger Presgrove, founder. Their mission? To increase self sufficiency by providing food, clothing, personal care items and medical supplies with Christ based principles. In 2002, Help the Children opened up their doors to Santa Clarita. “I’ve lived in the SCV since 1990, and wanted to help the people in our valley,” states Roger. “Every donation in our facility comes from the people in Santa Clarita and goes back to the families who live here.” Help the Children Santa Clarita is a non-profit Christian humanitarian relief organization that supplies food, clothing, personal hygiene and much more to Santa Clarita residents in need. “We don’t just work with children, we work with their families, with everyone, including veterans,” states Roger. But beyond the physical needs, Help the Children gives back in many more ways. In fact, some of the volunteers at the facility were once clients themselves, who relied on assistance from the organization and are now returning the favor to help others. The facility operates on a one percent overhead, meaning for every dollar donated, 99 cents is applied directly to the needs being addressed. Help the Children Santa Clarita has helped over 21,000 people. “We want to get the word out,” states Roger, “and there are many ways you can help, even if it’s as simple as donating the surplus of fruits from your trees.” At Help the Children…it’s about the spirit of giving. “We don’t just hand out boxes of food and say ‘here you go’, but rather we give our customers an empty box, and they can come into our facility and pick the items that best suit their dietary needs.” Additionally, as donations and needs allow, the organization shares with the Single Mothers Outreach, Men’s Bible Tabernacle, Family Promise, Newhall Community Center, Church of Hope, and many others. Help the Children operates on donations and grants only, allowing them the freedom to evaluate each family solely on their individual situation and not strictly by government-established requirements. How can you help? ?? Become a volunteer and help with food distribution, warehouse work, or food drives. You can also donate food, clothing, toys, fruits from your trees and more. All donated items are distributed to people in Santa Clarita. Help the Children is located at 25030 Avenue Tibbitts, Suite L in Valencia. For more information, call 661-702-8852 or visit www.helpthechildren.org. |
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