There’s a lot of buzz going around in response to a plastic bag ban proposed by Sacramento City Council Members Steve Cohn and Kevin McCarty. If the ban is passed, Sacramento will be the first city in the central valley to prohibit plastic bags. Full disclosure: I work for a nonprofit organization focused on “greening” the Sacramento region. However, we are not in a position to make a public statement about banning plastic bags, the hazards bags pose to wildlife and creeks, or the amount of jobs that may be lost in response to a ban. That being said, I am personally in support of a plastic bag ban. My husband and I are often spotted toting reusable bags from various retailers while contr

The Sacramento State University Union is working toward making children’s wishes come true this Holiday season through the “Wish Upon A Star” gift drive. Economic hardships have affected us all and the spirit of giving is more important than ever to help those less fortunate than us. To help make a wish come true, come to the “Wish Upon a Star” display in the University Union main lobby during building hours, choose a star, purchase the wish listed on the star, and then share the very special holiday gift with a child. The donated gifts benefit the Sunburst Projects, who provide ongoing family support services for HIV/ AIDS impacted families with children. The gift drive runs now through

Started locally, but growing worldwide is a community of “Moustache Lovers” with a mission to bring awareness to cancer research and treatment. Proceeds raised go directly to benefit LIVESTRONG® to aid those affected by cancer and to help fund research to find a cure. This is a community for those who grow facial hair to share their trials, tribulations and triumphs of wearing proudly on their faces, what many with cancer don’t have the ability to grow. Cancer has touched everyone in one way or another. We have all known a relative, friend, associate or acquaintance who has suffered with an encounter of some sort of cancer. It’s time to end this by bringing awareness to cancer and those w

The Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians held a ceremony last Thursday to dedicate the Margaret Dalton Children’s Center, a newly remodeled center that will house The Amador Parent Cooperative Preschool as well as the offices of First 5 Amador and the Amador County Child Abuse Prevention Council. “The Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians is pleased to give back to the community,” said Bo Marks, Margaret’s brother and Tribal Chairman. “My sister would have been honored to offer a home to these charitable organizations that provide so much to the youth of Amador County.” The Tribe has worked to transform the once old church property into an all-inclusive children’s center. The renova

For anyone who is still looking for unique holiday gift ideas, the Northern California nonprofit INALLIANCE may have just the solution- tickets to the "Sacramento Chef Challenge" at 4:00 p.m. Saturday Friday , June 23, 2012. The well known culinary extravaganza features two live culinary competitions, food sampling, wine and beer tasting, live music, raffle prizes and more! But, the best part is-100% of proceeds go to programs that support people with developmental disabilities! "2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the Sacramento Chef Challenge, which means we will be pulling out all the stops and slashing ticket prices,” says INALLIANCE Executive Director Diana DeRodeff. INALLIANCE prov

Huggies delivered 100,000 diapers to the Lighthouse Counseling & Family Resource Center today as part of Huggies Every Little Bottom campaign to help families in need. One-in-three American families struggle with the ability to provide their children with an essential need – clean, dry diapers. To help address this issue, Huggies brand announced the launch of The National Diaper Bank Network. As the Founding Sponsor of the National Diaper Bank Network, Huggies Every Little Bottom is organizing “12 Days of Thanks,” a cross country tour where the brand will donate 12 million diapers in 12 cities over a 12-day period – including Sacramento. Angela Ponivas, Executive Director of Lighthouse

The Sacramento State University Union is working toward making children’s wishes come true this Holiday season through the “Wish Upon A Star” gift drive. Economic hardships have affected us all and the spirit of giving is more important than ever. To help make a wish come true, come to the “Wish Upon a Star” display in the University Union main lobby during building hours, choose a star, purchase the wish listed on the star, and then share the very special holiday gift with a child. The donated gifts benefit the Sunburst Projects, serving children and families with HIV/AIDS. The gift drive runs now through December 9. Unwrapped gifts should be delivered with the star wish to the Universit

It’s that charitable time of year again. During the holidays, many feel compelled to share with those around them. In the spirit of the holiday, The Sacramento Press set out to find people who do give back and where they do it. A few givers wished to remain anonymous. One man shared that his family adopts a couple of families for the holidays, buying gifts for them instead of each other. A woman said she donates to the local county animal shelter and the Best Friend Animal Society, a no-kill animal shelter. Another man said his family donates to an organization that provides animals to families in Africa. A couple said they donate to Sacramento Loaves & Fishes and the Salvation Army in do

Shortage of Holiday Meat for Sacramento Food Closets Sacramento Emergency Foodlink is in need of Holiday Meat for Local Food Closets November 18, 2009 Sacramento, CA – Local Food Closets and Agencies will be visiting Sacramento Emergency Foodlink (Foodlink) this Friday, November 20, 2009 to pick up their holiday meat. Sacramento agencies have submitted over 2,500 requests for holiday meat. Foodlink has enough holiday meat to fulfill 1,000 of these requests, leaving 1,500 recipients with no holiday meat. We need your help! In response to the shortage, Sacramento Emergency Foodlink, the Official Food Bank of Sacramento County, will be collecting holiday meat donations through the end of

Giving was in the air Sunday night at Sophia’s Restaurant and bar, as the owners invited several underprivileged families to sit down to a free gourmet holiday meal. They also invited children of those families to buy gifts with “Sophia’s” funny money in a room filled with donated items sure to make any family member happy. The kids were ecstatic to get to shop for “free”. Jeremy Bennet, restaurant owner and organizer of the event invited his employees and members of the Active 20-30 Club of Greater Sacramento #1032 to help serve food and wrap gifts that were chosen by the children. When asked why he decided to organize such an event he said, “ I remember when I used to work at Sophia’s be