Homeless people around the downtown Sacramento are blessed to have some kids and teenagers come together to give away Christmas gifts this season. This is in line with the group's yearly tradition of gift giving since 2008.
"It means I'm doing something right, and that's the best lesson I can teach myself, and hopefully they'll teach their kids and their friends and pay it forward," ABC quoted one of the volunteers Shawana Anand as saying.
The young volunteers go to different spots to give away the gifts around downtown Sacramento. ABC followed them along as they drove around downtown, eagerly trying to find homeless people on the sidewalks to bless their day.
One teen named Andrew Heintz said that this way, he can give back what he also received. Heintz feels the fulfillment in giving as it also meant a lot to his friends and especially to parents too. The young man started joining the team of gift givers since the pursuit started some eight years ago. He is now 15 years old becoming one of the faithful leaders and organizers of the team.
"The first year we only had blankets hats and gloves," Heintz told ABC. It has amazed him how donations grew from there to full attire sweats, pants, hats, and gloves.
Approximately 60 bags were given out by the team, and they are hoping to give more. The team desires to have this little tradition grow into something bigger and spread to more cities for other homeless people.
Statistics say that 2,659 individuals experience homelessness in Sacramento County. About 5,200 will become homeless over the course of a year as statistics showed. About one-third (948) of Sacramento County's homeless population is unsheltered, according to the 2015 Sacramento County & Incorporated Cities Homeless Count.
