Single Mother’s Outreach is celebrating the kindness of Santa Clarita residents after the holidays brought the organization and it’s members more than just cheer.

Danielle Gardner, of Girl Scout Troop 2492, contacted SMO when she needed volunteer hours for her Girl Scout Gold Award. Gardner helped out by reorganizing our storage closet. She built attached shelving with a counter work area, she also put together a great childcare craft organizer with a bunch of crafts already prepared and ready to go, and she supplied us with a rolling cart.

“The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award that Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts may earn,” said Gardner. “Earning the Gold Award requires a suggested 80 hours of planning and implementing a challenging large-scale project that is innovative, engages others, and has a lasting impact on its targeted community with an emphasis on sustainability.”

SMO was also helped out by Camelot Movers when they transported hundreds of presents for the Adopt-a-Family program supplied by Princess Cruises. Camelot provided moving staff and transportation free of charge so that SMO could collect all the toys donated to our families and ensure they were delivered in time for Christmas.

The local Jaycees – JCI Santa Clarita also helped over 150 children have a holiday party they will never forget. The Jaycees, through their Santa’s Helpers campaign, received toy and gift card donations to help children of our families receive Christmas presents. In addition, families were invited to go ice skating, meet Santa Claus and his elves, eat pizza and cake, and enjoy face painting and craft activities.

“We are thrilled that so many Santa Claritans donated toys and gifts cards this holiday season and were incredibly touched by all who helped us,” said DaAnne Smith, executive director of Single Mother’s Outreach. “With individuals like Danielle, young professionals like the Jaycees, and companies like Camelot and Princess Cruises, we saw the community really come together to help make the season brighter for our families. It truly takes a village and we know all our families really appreciated the kindness and generosity shown to them.”