Auburn Christmas Basket program looks after the needy

When community members are singing joyfully about "five golden rings" and "seven swans a-swimming," those with the Auburn-Area Christmas Basket program would ask that the revelers keep in mind that many needy families would be grateful for the single "partridge in a pear tree."The gift-giving Christmas Basket program began more than 23 years ago as a food and toy drive by St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Auburn. But as the word got out and more civic-minded residents got involved, the event grew. Now, however, it has evolved into its own entity, with a non-profit status and a board of directors, led by Victor Macy, owner of Sierra Cab and Limousine and Macy Transportation."We work on it all year long," Macy said. "August is when it really starts rolling."Through the year, the group solicits monetary donations to buy toys for the more than 1,000 children who come through the program annually. Then, when Thanksgiving nears, the barrels come out. Right now, eagle-eyed community members can spy nearly 70 colorfully wrapped receptacles taped over with the words "Auburn Area Christmas Basket Program." Those with a mind to donate can drop non-perishable food or toys in the barrels and know they're a part of a program that is the key to Christmas for many local residents, Macy said.Starting Nov. 29, volunteers with the program will be organizing donations in the Armory Building at the Gold Country Fairgrounds, Macy said. This year, as in years past, he expects to completely fill the building through the generosity of the community. Meanwhile, needy families are encouraged to pick up an application, located throughout the community or by calling the Placer County Department of Health and Human Services, and turn it in as soon as possible.Auburn Area Christmas BasketWhat: Donations of toys, food to locals in needWhere: Nearly 70 collection barrels throughout community; applications available at Journal, KHAI, Post Office for familiesWhen: Now through Dec. 18; distribution from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at Gold Country FairgroundsCall: 887-5533"Last year, we had nearly 600 families, which is about 100 families more than we normally do," Macy said. "Right now, we have about 10 percent of our applications in."Julia Reed, Bowman School's administrative assistant, said she's noticed the barrel placed on campus filling up. "It's something that we do every year," she said. "It's tradition."Joe Nicosia, one of the directors with the Auburn Interfaith Food Closet, said that the Christmas Basket program is an annual tradition for him as well. The Food Closet works closely with the Christmas Basket committee, he said."I think it's a very effective program," he said. "I've been involved about three years and I've only seen the amount of people that need help increase. The community serves these people well through this program."Macy said the day food and toys are distributed gives him "tingles." This year, families will line up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Fairgrounds."It's an incredible day," he said. "We'll have people from all walks of life that come. The thing that is just amazing is that there'll be somebody who'll walk in ... and they'll have their child with them. A little girl will walk out with a dolly and she's crying because she's gotten it. That's why we do it."Nicosia agrees that the end result is what the donation drive is all about."This is a time that you have to reflect on your own life, that you have more and that there's other people who do not have as much as you," he said. "If you can help a little bit, the sum-total of the number of people helping just a little bit makes a big difference."The Journal's Stephanie Swanburg can be reached at stephanies@goldcountrymedia.com.