Sacramento County Community Service & Support Digest

Two siblings, ages 7 and 12, will be selling honey at a stand on Folsom Parkway on Oct. 2 to benefit Caldor Fire victims. After being given a honeycomb by their uncle over the summer, the kids have learned to process raw honey and are using the profits to help others.

Fleeing their homeland like thousands of other Afghans, Abdul and his family picked Sacramento in part because the county is home to the largest concentration of Afghans in the U.S. The diaspora of relatively young refugees makes it easier to settle in, and the climate makes it feel like home.

The Capitol Air Show soared back to Sacramento over the weekend, with thousands in attendance following last year’s cancelation due to the pandemic. The Thunderbirds, along with others, took to the skies during the event.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Northern Sierra and Sacramento agencies raised nearly $40,000 with a fundraiser that featured donors rappelling down the side of the Residence Inn by Marriott.

Frances Buford Pullen was a World War II civilian pilot. Her service to her country has unlocked a show of civic pride.

The End of Watch Fund had a successful first chili-cook-off on Saturday at Elk Grove Regional Park. Organized by members of the Elk Grove Police Department, the fund provides services for families of fallen public safety officers.

The nonprofit Habitat for Humanity provided homes to Sacramentans last week, including some from Afghanistan.

There are 10 HART groups in the Sacramento region. Each works to support the unhoused in their community.

Sacramento Congressman Ami Bera and others are asking the community to continue to be welcoming as the number of Afghan refugees climbs and stretches local resources.

The Folsom Veterans Hall recently presented Sgt. Trevor Hammonds with several donation checks after his house in Grizzly Flats was lost in the Caldor Fire.

The outpouring of recognition for Galt Police Department officer Harminder Grewal continued Sept. 2 at a candlelight vigil on the California State Capitol steps. Leaders in government and the local Sikh community spoke about the significance of Grewal’s service.

Kathy Cook and husband Bill launched the community marching band back in 2005, bringing together musicians of all ages ranging from age 7 to 70. Kathy passed away on Aug. 25.

The Black community in Sacramento remains one of the groups with the highest unvaccinated rate. Area pastors have stepped up, working to ensure that the congregations and communities they serve have access.

Back Bistro, located in Folsom’s Palladio, has treated several Caldor Fire victims to dinner and live music. This is one of many local community efforts to help those displaced from El Dorado County.

September is National Firefighter Month, and two organizations in Folsom have joined forces to show support by lining up free lunch and dinner for firefighters every Tuesday for the whole month.

Education leaders have launched CA Kids Fire Relief, a two-week, statewide effort encouraging students and school communities across California to provide financial and emotional support to students, families and schools impacted by catastrophic wildfires.

Students at Merryhill Preschools in Natomas and the Pocket area recently donated school supplies to help local children prepare for the new school year. Students at the two schools worked together to collect a variety of school supplies to be distributed to the disadvantaged community.

Dana Maeshia, owner of the south Sacramento bookstore All Things Literacy, passed away Aug. 30 from COVID-related illness, close sources say. Family and friends shared fond memories but most thanked her for her dedication to serving Sacramento’s Black communities.

Officer Harminder Grewal, one of two Galt police officers involved in a head-on collision, died on Thursday. The community had rallied together in support of him and his partner, Officer Kapri Herrera, who is expected to survive her injuries.

Mulvaney's B & L, a local Sacramento restaurant, is shutting down for one week to give employees a break from the constant hours they've worked during the height of the pandemic. Doors will be closed Aug. 29 to Sept. 7.

A concert will be held Aug. 27 at Zittel Family Amphitheatre to raise funds to benefit Caldor Fire victims.

Advocates and local resettlement organizations are expecting to see about 1,700 individuals from Afghanistan coming to the Sacramento region. They say this group is one of the larger seen in the region, and there will be challenges in helping people resettle.

More than 30 friends and family members of Kiflit Ghebremariam stood before the Elk Grove mayor at a recent City Council meeting to plead for the 77-year-old’s safe return. He hasn’t been seen since walking away from his Elk Grove home in early August.

The Capital Airshow is flying back to Sacramento Sept. 24-26 and ambassadors are needed to keep things running smoothly.

Galt is holding vigil in front of the police department in honor of two police officers who were seriously injured on the way to provide security at a site of the Caldor Fire.

A Black neurosurgeon and other medical professionals are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to vaccinating Sacramento’s underserved population.

The annual 5K run/walk that benefits various arts nonprofits throughout the Sacramento region will have its next event Aug. 28 in William Land Park.

Capital Christian Center, a large church along the 50 corridor, is extending its reach to the homeless residents of the Southside region of Sacramento.

Residents gathered at White Rock Community Park to share their moments of grieving, healing and winning in this second year since the passing away of a young Cordova High School athlete, Calvin James Augusta.

El Pollo Loco in Citrus Heights was the happy recipient of the Chamber of Commerce's first COVID-relief check. Like many businesses, this El Pollo Loco franchise has struggled through pandemic restrictions.

A weekend blood drive will be held this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 20-21, across from Sunrise Mall, from noon to 6 p.m.

Folsom’s eighth annual Community Service Day will take place in September, and members can now register to participate.