By Terra Avilla
Ten years – I cried as I watched the children arriving this past Saturday at the event – a whole decade of Holiday with a Hero. Can you believe it?
We’ve come so far from those early days when we started with just a handful of cops and a handful of kids. Now look at us – we’re a community-wide celebration that I am no so proud to say has touched the lives of more than a thousand children.
That’s not just a number! That’s more than a thousand smiles, a thousand moments of joy and a thousand reasons to be proud of our little corner of the world.
Over these ten years, we’ve seen kids grow up before our eyes. Some of those little ones who once sat on Santa’s lap are now volunteers themselves, giving back to the community that embraced them. It’s like watching a beautiful cycle of kindness in action, and it just makes me so grateful to live in a community that always shows up.
What started as a small gathering with just seven officers and fifteen kids has blossomed into a joyful event that welcomed about ninety children this year.
It’s not just about the gifts; it’s about showing these kids that they are loved and valued.
One story that truly touched my heart this year was from a mother who broke down in tears when she found out her children would be participating. “You don’t understand,” she said, “This isn’t just about presents. It’s about my kids feeling seen, and about them getting something back that was taken from this year – a little bit of peace and joy.”
And we couldn’t do it year after year with the help of sooooo many people and organizations.
Our Community’s Superheroes
Let’s talk about our Santa for a moment. This year, he braved a snowstorm to make his grand entrance on an actual sled! With a beard so real, it could’ve been grown at the North Pole, he had kids wide-eyed with wonder. The joy on their faces was priceless. The man hitched a ride ON TOP of a fire truck and sleigh in a sleet storm to surprise children. C’mon People! That doesn’t happen anywhere else.
And then there is our Sheriff, who traded in his badge for a Santa hat to help spread holiday cheer. He spent his Saturday making little boys’ dreams come true, proving once again that in Lassen County, we all come together to support one another.
A huge thank you goes out to the Athletic Director at Lassen Community College, who opened up the doors of their beautiful new basketball gym as our “home base.” It transformed into a cozy hub filled with laughter and joy and before dawn even broke, the LCC kitchen staff and volunteers were hard at work whipping up over 200 breakfast burritos. I can’t tell you how delicious they were!
Because in Lassen County, we believe every hero – big or small – deserves a hearty meal to start their day.
The nursing students from LCC came ready to lend a hand. Their smiles and willingness to help reminded us all how important it is to care for each other, especially during the holidays.
Of course, I must give a shout out to my Holiday with a Hero Board members. To our dedicated board members who put up with my holiday enthusiasm all year long – you’re the real MVPs! A special shoutout to Juanita Williams for taking on the daunting task of registration and doing it with such grace.
Walmart deserves a big round of applause for not only letting us take over their store but also for creating a cookie decorating station at the college that quickly became a fan favorite. Who knew chaos could be so much fun? We can’t forget SEMSA and CCPOA for their generous support, or Nikki Nyter for lending us her magical Santa chair. Every contribution helps weave this event together and it is this kindness that keeps our community strong.
As we celebrate ten years of Holiday with a Hero, I hope you see more than just an event – because I see a community that refuses to let any child feel forgotten. I see heroes in uniform standing shoulder to shoulder with everyday citizens, all united by the belief that every child deserves to feel the magic of the season.
In Lassen County, we don’t just celebrate the holidays – we celebrate each other. Here’s to another decade of proving that when it comes to love, our little community has the biggest heart of all. In Lassen County, every day is an opportunity to be someone’s hero, and every act of kindness is a gift that lasts long after the snow melts and the decorations are put away, and that is why I love where we live. Merry Christmas family and God Bless you!
