Holiday Round-Up: CRC Brings Holiday Cheer to Californians

CRC Celebrates the Season in Los Angeles

CRC kicked off the holiday season in Long Beach with our fourth annual Operation Christmas at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Spinal Cord Injury Long-Term Care Unit. Twenty CRC employees, along with their family members and friends, helped bring the holiday spirit by putting up festive decorations around the facility’s common living room area and in each veteran’s rooms. Located on the campus of the Long Beach VA, the Spinal Cord Injury Unit is designed for veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders who are not able to live independently or with family.

CRC continued our annual support of the Huntington Beach Police and Community Foundation “Shop with a Cop” event. This year, 48 children were selected and paired with a Huntington Beach Police Officer for a $200 shopping spree to buy presents for themselves and family members. The children participating were selected based on need and recommended by their teachers for their outstanding efforts and regular attendance despite overwhelming challenges.

CRC Employees Adopt a Homeless Family in Ventura for the Holidays

CRC employees participated in the County of Ventura Homeless Services’ “Christmas Adopt A Family” program, which provided a mother and her children – a boy (age 7) and a girl (age 3) – with shelter and gifts at Christmas time. The County’s program works to create a supportive and warm holiday experience to homeless families so that the head of household doesn’t agonize over decisions as they relate to their domestic situation and the holidays. Spearheaded by CRC Subsurface Manager Aaron Hebeler, he and his fellow employees collected numerous gifts such as coats, shoes, socks and of course, toys along with gift cards for the family. Aaron said, “My wife and I have participated in this program before and found it very rewarding.  I’m thrilled that my co-workers were just as eager to help a homeless family enjoy the holiday season and I look forward to increasing the number of families we assist next year.”

CRC’s Santa Claus and Elves Spread Joy at Kern’s Honor Flight Holiday Breakfast.

Santa Claus came to town to help Honor Flight Kern County veterans celebrate the holidays – with CRC’s support for the third year in a row.  After making his grand appearance, Santa and Mrs. Claus gleefully sprung on stage to  And, while waiting for Santa to deliver, all Honor Flight Kern County veterans attending the breakfast received a CRC gift bag filled with holiday goodies.

CRC Supports CHP “CHiPs for Kids” Toy Drive in Kern County

CRC partnered with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to support the “CHiPs for Kids” toy drive which aims to make the holidays brighter for disadvantaged children throughout California.  CRC employees helped by collecting new, unwrapped toys at designated drop box locations at various CRC offices in Bakersfield. Employees were also on hand December 7th to help unload toys at the CHP drive-through collection site in downtown Bakersfield.

CRC HSE Technician Esteban Solano shared, “Volunteering at the CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive was a very rewarding experience for me.  Just knowing that I am able to put a smile on a child’s face, as well as ease the burden of their parents during difficult times, is all the motivation I need to get out there and help.”