Auburn Christmas Basket just around the corner

The Auburn Area Christmas Basket Program is getting ready for another year of helping local residents in need. The organization's distribution day is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 17 in the Armory building at the Gold Country Fairgrounds, according to Phil Rightmer. Residents can sign up to volunteer now as well as donate new unwrapped toys and non-perishable food in barrels placed in businesses around Auburn. Rightmer said a new thing about this year's distribution day will be the 50 toy dump trucks the Placer High School woodshop class is making. He said the organization will also have two days before the event where residents can buy items from Safeway and Grocery Outlet and donate directly to the cause. ~Bridget Jones ------------------------------------------------------Auburn Area Christmas BasketSome local businesses where you can donate: • Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, 11815 Education St., Auburn • Auburn Journal, 1030 High St., Auburn • Eisley Nursery, 380 Nevada St., Auburn• Incredible Pets, 1775 Grass Valley Highway, Suite A, Auburn • Placer County Sheriff's Office, 2929 Richardson Drive, Auburn• Skyridge School, 800 Perkins Way, Auburn Information: To volunteer, get a list of businesses with red donation barrels or get more information about the program, call (530) 888-3750 or visit auburnareachristmasbasket.org