CELEBRATING GOOD NEWS
Sweetening the holiday season with homemade toffee (Photo – Cherie Shore)
This holiday season, 30 families in Altadena are experiencing the warmth of their community like never before.
By Cheryl Auger
Civic Sundays, a local political and civic group, “adopted” the families living in a multi-family apartment building, delivering meals, gifts, and holiday cheer.
The year 2025 has been difficult for many residents, from the January fires to the mid-year arrival of ICE agents. Videos of a masked ICE officer pointing a gun at civilians while detaining three men at a bus stop on Orange Grove Boulevard remain fresh in many minds.
Cherie Shore, the group’s lead, explained, “Helping those who have been harmed by the Trump regime is an act of resistance. Our community members have been deprived of their ability to feed their families through work.”
Jonathan Penzner, a Civic Sundays member, coordinated the collection, storage, and delivery of donations, while other volunteers contributed food, clothing, and holiday treats. Bulk purchases of essentials helped stretch every donation further.
In early December, Civic Sundays set out to make this holiday season extra special for the families they had adopted. This Christmas, each family receives a whole chicken for holiday dinner, a new sweater for each of the 36 children, and a festive bag of homemade candy. The effort is a moving example of community solidarity.
Natalie Seamen, another group member, said, “There are folks in our community who really need food and supplies, and I’m grateful we’ve been able to connect with them and help.”
For these families, Civic Sundays’ generosity isn’t just about gifts, it’s about hope, community, and knowing that neighbors care.
To learn more about Civic Sundays or to help donate meals and gifts, check their website or follow them on social media. The group has been active since 2017.
Sweaters ready to be delivered (Photo – Cheryl Auger)
I think Cheryl is the president of BAN Single Use Plastics, not a plastics company:) She runs My Zero Waste Store in Pasadena where I refill goods without plastic! My favorite is her laundry and dish detergent that she sells in former wine bottles.