Middletown >> Much of south Lake County is likely finding it difficult to feel the usual Christmas spirit this holiday season. But two women are hoping to change that.
Milli Cannata of Cannata Sustainable Living in Sebastopol and Jennifer Hartnett, owner of Middletown’s Munchies and Music, have teamed up for a Valley Fire Secret Santa Christmas Drive. They’ve collected names of 289 recipients, $5,000 in cash and gift cards and thousands of presents, which they’ll be handing out today at 2:30 p.m. at Hartnett’s ice cream parlor. There will be free ice cream, free photos with Santa, as well as arts and crafts for the kids.
It was Hartnett’s idea that she and Cannata team up for the endeavor after Hartnett learned that Cannata delivered Secret Santa gifts to 25 recipients last year. Hartnett thought expanding the drive would give people who want to help Valley Fire victims a way to do so. She explained that she’s met many people who are hesitant to give to Red Cross or some of the local banks because they’re unsure of where their money is going. But the Secret Santa Christmas Drive is an opportunity to directly give someone an item they want and need.
Members of the community could request to buy gifts for specific people: an older couple, a teenage boy, a young girl. “It’s nice to match people up with who they want to help,” Hartnett said. “It brings the community together and they feel like it’s helping.”
Just as people can request the demographic they’d like to donate to, fire victims can also ask for certain items. Most of the children have expressed an interest in electronics and jackets. Adults had a harder time deciding what they wanted, and many just requested items for their kids. Some asked for things like paint sets, shoes and tools.
But a prevalent request was one Hartnett and Cannata just aren’t able to fill: a new home. Hartnett remembered a quiet 12-year-old boy who came put his name on the recipient list. He didn’t speak much for 45 minutes, and at first Hartnett assumed he was shy, but finally he said, “I just want a new house for Christmas,” she recalled, “and it just brought me to tears.”
It perhaps hit Hartnett hard since she lost her own Hidden Valley home in the Valley Fire. Fortunately, her insurance came through quickly, and she’s been able to recover more rapidly than others. “It’s been nothing but a blessing for me,” she said. “I’ve been very fortunate to help people.”
She and Cannata have been working hard to round up everything for the drive, and so far the community has been more than supportive. Middletown’s Hardester’s Market and the local casinos donated large sums, non-profit the Wave of Hope chipped in a substantial amount, North Coast Opportunities gave gift cards, local churches helped out and the South Lake County Fire Protection District donated thousands of toys and bikes.
Hartnett is giving back to the community in more than one way. With the monetary donations she received, she purchased gifts almost exclusively from local establishments. “A lot of businesses are hurting right now and we really need help down here and we need customers to come support us,” she said.
Hartnett collected fire victim’s names from her customers and local schools. Many people referred friends who has lost their homes, and Hartnett used social media and local radio stations to get the word out.
While the Christmas drive is mainly for Valley Fire victims, every child who shows up on Friday, whether they lost their home or they simply want to experience the holiday spirit, will leave the event with a new stuffed toy. The toys are courtesy of Kay Jewelers. The company has a program through which customers can purchase a stuffed animal for $15, and the money will go to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Various stores across the state, and beyond, pitched in to buy stuffed toys for every south Lake County kid.
With nearly 300 individuals to present with gifts, it may seem like a daunting task, but Hartnett isn’t worried. She’s spoken with a number of fundraising organizers to figure out the best ways to ensure the drive goes smoothly.
They hope the Secret Santa Christmas Drive helps get people into the holiday spirit. “I think it’s going to make everybody’s Christmas a lot better,” Hartnett said. “It’s going to help in a big way.”
She added that this event will feel very different from a local toy drive at a fire station, for example. People will receive gifts they really want, instead of pulling from a pile. And each person will go home with three to five presents on Friday. “We’re trying to bring Christmas to them, not just one toy,” Hartnett said.
The drive is about a lot more than just toys and material items, though. Taking the time to head out to the shops and buy presents in the right sizes and colors sends a deeper message. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned … is very simple, but it’s love. Everybody just needs love,” Hartnett said. “It really shows the love with the gifts. You’re getting the person the gift they want.”
Organizing the event has been a rewarding experience. “It’s brought so many people together to help volutneer,” Hartnett explained. “It really just feels like a really great sense of community. It’s just magical.”
Munchies and Music will give out Secret Santa Christmas Drive gifts beginning at 2:30 p.m. Friday. They’re located at 21037 Calistoga St. #8.
Jennifer Gruenke can be reached at 900-2019.
