Santa Ynez students and volunteers make gifts for people in need

SANTA YNEZ, Calif. - As part of an annual tradition in the Santa Ynez Valley, dozens of volunteers and students met to stuff gift baskets for the less fortunate in the community.

The annual Christmas Basket Program, which took place at Old Mission Santa Inés, brought volunteers and fifth graders from Santa Ynez Valley Charter School together to wrap and fill dozens of boxes.

The students were tasked with stuffing tubs with various food items while volunteers wrapped the gifts which included clothing and toys.

Local churches in the valley worked with the volunteers to purchase the items for the annual Christmas basket giveaway.

The Old Mission Santa Inés hosted the event in partnership with The St. Vincent de Paul Society.

"Families do it together as a family project of giving this season of Christmas. I think that our class right here working today will go home feeling good because they helped and hopefully they'll learn something when they grow up and hopefully they can all give back to their community," said Patty Snyder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

The Mission website said the baskets will be given to families with minor children who applied and demonstrated financial need.

This year, over 150 families are expected to receive these gifts on Dec. 21.