Folsom celebrates 12th Community Service Day; organizers report 1,785 volunteers and 23 tons of food collected

City staff and volunteer leaders presented results of the 12th annual Folsom Community Service Day during the Oct. 14 council meeting, reporting strong volunteer turnout and extensive charitable donations.

Tom Hellman of Parks & Recreation introduced steering‑committee chair Sandy Economy, who said 1,785 volunteers participated on the main event day and more than 2,000 people participated when including prep work. The program completed 80 projects citywide and logged more than 7,000 volunteer hours. Economy said the effort yielded 23 tons of donated food — equivalent to more than 38,000 meals — and collected bicycles, purses, school supplies, toys, pet shelter supplies and holiday‑season items.

Economy also thanked sponsors and reported that sponsorships — cash and in‑kind — totaled about $135,000 across presenting, visionary, leader, partner and good‑neighbor sponsor levels. She singled out presenting sponsors Dignity Health and the City of Folsom and listed other major sponsors including Lakeside Church, Folsom Times, Lennar Homes and the Folsom Telegraph.

The presentation noted specific volunteer impacts: 44 senior households received lawn, tree and home‑maintenance help through the "Neighbors Helping Seniors" component; 16 blood donors saved lives via an on‑site blood drive; and community groups and families participated in neighborhood food‑drive pickup and sorting for distribution to twin lakes/food bank partners.

Peter Gemilaro of Congressman Kevin Kiley's office presented an official congressional certificate to the Community Service Day committee in recognition of the volunteerism.

Councilmembers thanked organizers and volunteers.

No council action was required; the presentation was informational.