From a storefront donated by the Richard Family at Buellton Town Plaza on McMurray Road, on December 19th and 20th, People Helping People (PHP) furnished toys, clothing, and housewares to 79 families valued at $20,000. In addition, PHP distributed 10,000 pounds of food, including turkeys, hams and chickens to 250 families in need in the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos Valleys through its biweekly food distribution program.
Dean Palius, PHP’s Chief Executive, said that the majority of families that were helped are those working in the hospitality, tourist, and agricultural industries which are the major business sectors in this region. According to Palius, wages in these industries just do not keep up with the costs of living here. “For the most part, these working poor families earn a little more than the federal poverty level but barely make ends meet. Frequently, they are forced to make difficult choices each month regarding which bills to pay: rent, food, utilities, or prescriptions. For these hard working parents, Christmas gifts are a luxury and are not even on their list.”
For the past 21 years, PHP has opened a space for a Fulfill-A-Wish “boutique” in donated retail space in order to help families enjoy the celebration of Christmas. Through local donations of toys from a partnership with “Toys for Tots,” cash donations, and a great deal of work from volunteer “elves,” families can select one household item and toys for each child, take them home, and present them to their children. Palius said that, “we think that this method of giving preserves the dignity of parents and strengthens families.”
Palius reported that this year PHP was helped financially by grants from the Los Alamos Men’s Club and Figueroa Mountain Brewery; volunteers from Christensen and Drake and gifts from Vreeland Ford, National Charity League Class of 2017, Chumash Casino Resort, and the Oakland Raiders Club, “Autumn Wind Militia.”
People Helping People is a 501 c-3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of men, women and children in the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Alamos and surrounding areas by addressing emergency and basic needs and furnishing comprehensive integrated family and individual support services. To learn more about PHP, its programs, and ways that you can help, please visit the PHP web site at www.syvphp.org or call 686-0295.