Thousands of volunteers will complete dozens of projects Saturday, September 17 at the ninth annual Community Service Day. Folsom’s largest day of volunteerism mobilizes residents of all ages to complete projects throughout the city that make a positive, lasting impact. Community Service Day is organized by the City of Folsom, local businesses, and community organizations. The annual event is made possible thanks to generous sponsorship support from Intel, Lennar, the Folsom Telegraph, Style Media Group, Goodfellow Bros., Lakeside Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Rotary Club of Folsom, and other members of the business and service community.

Volunteer registration is open; early registration is encouraged as project teams fill quickly. Learn more and register to volunteer at www.folsomcommunityservice.org.

Local organizations are collecting items to help community members in need from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 17 at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Parkway. Needed items include eyeglasses, yarn and fabric, Legos, purses, used/outgrown bicycles, toiletry items for all ages, and gift wrap supplies. You can also support shelter cats and dogs with donations of food, treats, toys, and other needed supplies. Find complete lists of accepted items and more information at folsomcommunityservice.org/donation-drive.

The Rolling Hills Blue Star Moms are hosting a one-day donation drive to collect items for overseas military service members. The items will be assembled and packaged at this year’s Community Service Day event.

Drive-thru donation drives will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 26 and Friday, September 9 at two Folsom locations:

• Folsom City Hall, 50 Natoma Street
• Steve Miklos Aquatic Center, 1200 Riley Street

Needed items include:

• Single-serving instant coffee (Starbucks Via)
• Protein bars
• Turkey and beef jerky
• Single-serve instant oatmeal packets
• Toothbrushes and travel-sized toothpaste
• AA and AAA batteries

Find more information and a complete list of most-needed items at www.rollinghillsbluestarmoms.org.

We need your help! Donate pet supplies and help animals in our community. A drive-thru donation drive will be held Saturday, September 17 at Lakeside Church, located at 745 Oak Avenue Parkway, from 7 a.m. to noon.

We are collecting: 

Sacramento SPCA

• Greenies Pill Pockets 
• Cat food, canned pate style 
• Cat toys 
• Cardboard cat scratchers
• Canned pumpkin
• Kong toys for dogs 
• Batteries(9V) 
• Classical CDs for dog and cat kennels

Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue 

• Dog toys
• Trash bags
• Poop bags
• Paper towels
• Dog cookie treats
• Pill pockets
• Blankets (new and gently used)

For more information, visit www.folsomcommunityservice.org or call 916-461-6013.

As part of Folsom Community Service Day, Vitalant is hosting a community blood drive from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 17 at the Folsom Community Center, 52 Natoma Street. Visit donors.vitalant.org and use code SMFM396 to schedule an appointment; walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows. For eligibility questions call Vitalant at 877-258-4825 or visit their website. Your blood donation can help save a life!

The City of Folsom provides five rebate programs to help City of Folsom water customers conserve water. 

• Cash for grass turf replacement program. Receive $1 per square foot of turf replaced, up to a maximum of $2,000.
• High-Efficiency Toilets. Replace older higher volume per flush toilets with toilets that use 1.25 gallons per flush. Receive 50% of the material cost up to $175.
• Irrigation Efficiency Upgrades. Upgrade your existing sprinkler system by replacing inefficient equipment with newer models, including controllers, sprinkler heads, and drip irrigation. Receive 50% of the material cost up to $500.
• Rachio Wi-Fi Irrigation Controllers. A direct purchase program directly from the manufacturer. Water customers pay just $75 for the latest technology in irrigation controllers.
• Flume home water monitoring system. A direct purchase program directly from the manufacturer. Pay just $75 for a home water monitoring system that allows customers to track indoor and outdoor water use in real-time. 

To learn more about these programs, visit www.folsom.ca.us/rebates. For more information, contact the City of Folsom Water Conservation Division at 916-461-6177 or waterconservation@folsom.ca.us.

Folsom Parks & Recreation’s Fun Factory Preschool has a limited number of openings in the classes for 4-year-olds. Class is held from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; classrooms are located at the Folsom Community Center and Andy Morin Sports Complex. Children must be age 4 by September 1, 2022 to be eligible to register. Learn more about the program and find answers to frequently asked questions online. Contact Whitney Kahn at 916-461-6612 or by email with questions.

Folsom Parks & Recreation offers new nature-based education programs at the Hinkle Creek Nature Center. Programs include hands-on activities, games, and guided outdoor exploration. Registration is open for the one-day sessions for kids ages 6-7 and 8-10; learn more and register online or call 916-461-6601 for more information.

Bill Corley presents “How to Avoid the Tax Bombs in Your Retirement” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 7. The workshop for ages 50+ includes a discussion of how taxes affect your savings, withdrawals, and Social Security benefits in retirement. A question and answer period is also included. Bill Corley is a Certified Financial Planner and Retirement Income Certified Professional. His personal mission is to help people increase their retirement income while paying less in taxes. The workshop will be held at the Folsom Senior Center, 48 Natoma Street; a $5 registration fee is required. Learn more and register online or call 916-461-6601 with questions.