Hundreds volunteer on Thanksgiving at Direct Relief International

Direct Relief International and hundreds of local volunteers spent this Thanksgiving morning giving back.

More than 300 volunteers showed up at Direct Relief International headquarters in Goleta to pack 4,000 family care kits. The volunteers included everyone from first time volunteers to volunteer veterans.

“Every Thanksgiving I like to do some form of service, and since my daughter started working here I knew this day was coming and that they would be packaging supplies and I wanted to participate,” said volunteer Renee Alexandre.

“It is really important to help people because it makes the world a better place and it makes me happy to help people too,” said youth volunteer Jamie Swarinksi.

The packages include personal care and hygiene items. They will go to vulnerable families impacted by Hurricane Matthew, as well as homeless families and veterans in Santa Barbara and throughout the country.