Thousands of volunteers will complete dozens of service projects Saturday, September 17. The ninth annual event is Folsom’s largest day of volunteerism, with participants of all ages completing projects throughout the city that make a positive, lasting impact.

Nearly 2,000 volunteers have registered for this year’s event, and will help beautify parks, school campuses, and recreation areas; prepare care packages for active duty service members; collect and sort food donations; pitch in to complete tasks for Neighbors Helping Seniors projects; and more.

On Saturday, September 17, Community Service Day volunteers should check in between 7 and 8 a.m. at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Parkway, to receive a commemorative T-shirt, volunteer bag, and a complimentary breakfast. All volunteers must have a 2022 Community Service Day liability waiver completed and signed. Find more event day information and instructions for volunteers on the Community Service Day website.

Community Blood Drive

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!

Drive-Through Donation Drive

Local organizations are collecting needed items from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 17. Donations can be dropped off at the drive-through at Lakeside Church, 745 Oak Avenue Parkway.

Items being collected for local community nonprofits include:

• Eyeglasses
• Shelter pet supplies
• Unused/outgrown youth and adult bicycles
• Purses
• Legos
• Toiletry items for all ages
• Gift wrapping supplies
• Yarn and fabric

Learn more about the participating organizations and needed items.

Citywide Food Drive

Folsom’s Community Service Day includes a citywide food drive to benefit the Twin Lakes Food Bank. Volunteers will drop off empty grocery bags and a list of needed food items to every household in Folsom. The volunteers will return the morning of Saturday, September 17 to pick up the bags of food donations left in view of the street.

Top items needed:

• Cereal (no oatmeal)
• Canned tuna and chicken
• Main dish items: chili with meat, ravioli, etc.
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Rice dishes

Learn more at www.folsomcommunityservice.org/citywide-food-drive. 

It's never been easier or more fun to read along with a good story. Wonderbooks are now available at the Folsom Public Library! Wonderbook is a read-along format that combines an audiobook experience with a print book. This combination offers an engaging and powerful literacy tool for preschoolers and children just beginning to read. Simply press "play" and get immersed in an entertaining and interactive experience. Borrow a Wonderbook today from the Picture Book room at the Folsom Public Library. Learn more at www.folsom.ca.us/library.

Keep up the great work, Folsom! In just over six months, residents and businesses have already diverted 72 tons–144,000 pounds–of food waste and organic material from the landfill. The Waste & Recycling Division thanks the community for their efforts to recycle organic material. Learn about the organics recycling program online or contact the Recycling Team at recycle@folsom.ca.us.

Amateur photographers of all ages are encouraged to enter their photographs showcasing life in Folsom to the 14th annual photography competition, sponsored by the Folsom Arts Association. Contestants are not required to be city residents, but all entries must be images taken in Folsom. Capture images using one of the four contest categories as your guideline: Folsom Outdoors, Folsom Wildlife, Urban Folsom, and Macro Photography. Submit entries through September 26 to the Folsom Art Center, 48 Natoma Street (open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday). Contest entries will be featured at the Community Gallery at 48 Natoma, and winners will be announced Friday, October 14 during the public reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Find complete contest guidelines and entry forms at www.folsomarts.org. The photo featured above, by Michael Ekern, was awarded 2nd place in the 2017 contest.

Help harvest acorns to grow the next generation of oak trees! Join an acorn harvest event Saturday, September 24 and explore Folsom's open space areas while harvesting acorns used to grow native oaks for reforestation efforts. Also, learn about native oaks and how to properly collect healthy acorns that the Sacramento Tree Foundation will plant at a later date. Training and supplies will be provided. For more information and to register to volunteer, visit www.sactree.org.

Planning on using your home as a vacation rental? Visit the new vacation rentals page at www.folsom.ca.us/vacationrentals and learn about the regulations you must follow before listing your rental online. A rental qualifies as a vacation rental if the apartment, house, or condominium is furnished and rented on a temporary basis (less than 30 days).

Reading to young children builds vocabulary, language skills, and helps prepare them with the skills they need for school while promoting a lifelong love of books and reading. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is an early literacy library program that encourages families and caregivers to read 1,000 books with their young children before they start kindergarten. Families receive incentives after every 100 books read, and upon completion, receive a book, a backpack, and a certificate. Reading just three books a day will get families to their goal in a year! Register online at folsom.beanstack.org.

Agency on Aging\Area 4 hosts this four-week cooking demonstration workshop for seniors ages 60+ at the Folsom Senior Center, 48 Natoma Street. Each week participants will take part in cooking a delicious recipe that highlights one of four topics: Vary Your Fruits and Vegetables; Whole Grains; Less Sugary Beverages; and Healthy Snacking. Join this fun group and learn budget-friendly and tasty recipes you can easily prepare at home. Workshop is held from 11 a.m. to noon Mondays starting September 19 and continuing through October 10. The class is free, but you must register to attend. Call 916-461-6601 with questions.

This living history event transports guests back in time to a 16th century English village with hundreds of costumed entertainers, artisan crafts and wares, and a variety of tasty food and drink. Jousting tournaments take place both days of the faire, featuring riders in full suits of armor riding on sturdy draft horses. The Faire takes place in Folsom City Lions Park Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25. Find tickets and event information at www.folsomfaire.com.