Placer County's Holiday Miracle Program spreads cheer to foster children, others

Dec. 9, 2024

The Holiday Miracle Program, an annual toy drive for foster children and other children and families in need, has a long history in Placer County. But in the last two years, as Jolee and Briana Goularte of the Goularte Group have stepped in to help organize the drive, the program has grown by leaps and bounds - as evidenced by the thousands of toys piled high at the Loomis Train Depot on Saturday night.

"In Placer, we are truly blessed with how we come together to make lives better for each other. No one should ever go without. This program is proof of that," Jolee said. "As more people hear about it and realize they're directly helping foster children in Placer County, they want to get involved. Families, companies and individuals have approached us, eager to contribute-not just this year, but in future years as well."

Over 125 volunteers gathered to help out at the event, which coincided with Loomis' Christmas tree lighting. They organized and wrapped thousands of gifts for at least 850 children. Several Placer County departments collected toys for the drive, and members of the Children's System of Care will help distribute the gifts to children in the foster system and other children and families in need.

"We've even had additional unsolicited donations from our wonderful community," noted CSOC director Twylla Abrahamson, meaning even children who have only just entered the system will not go without this season.

Check out photos from Saturday's event below: