News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2004

The Sacramento District Office again was a sponsor for the "Gifts from the Heart" program coordinated by the Sacramento County, Department of Health and Human Services.

The "Gifts from the Heart" program is an annual holiday gift-giving program that provides holiday gifts to children, teens and senior citizens served by Sacramento County which includes Child Protective Services and Senior Services.

The children who benefit are those in foster care, or those removed from their homes for various reasons such as neglect and/or drug exposure; and also, those who are awaiting adoption.
California authorities have led the way Nation-wide designing programs to protect children living with adults involved in the manufacture of Methamphetamine. As a result many children have been taken away from their parents and placed under protective State custody.

For many, our gifts will be the only gifts the children receive this holiday season. Additionally, the senior citizens who benefit are seniors who are in nursing homes or adult care facilities and are in the most neediest of categories. Most of the seniors are only hoping for some of life's basic necessities such as, blankets, food items/grocery store gift certificates and postage stamps.

This year, the DEA Sacramento District Office provided gifts for 42 children and 15 seniors.

The Sacramento District Office has participated in this program since 1999 and has, in total, provided gifts for over 303 children and 35 seniors. This is a very worthy cause which is strongly supported by everybody who is part of the DEA-family in the Sacramento, area. Participation in this program brings joy and unity to the office, is a warm start to the Holidays and is a wonderful way to give to our own community.