Adorable Animals Rescued | Holiday Toy Drives: Saturday Smiles

‘Tis the season for giving and community groups across the Bay Area are working to make the season brighter for those in need. We have some amazing animal rescue stories and we invite you to participate in our online holiday food drive and to share your child’s 2020 letter to Santa.

We hope you enjoy these heartwarming Northern California stories.

Picture Perfect PHS Rescue Brings 'Fluff Fluff' To Safety

• Three-month-old kitten among more than a dozen animals saved since PHS purchased an inspection camera designed for tight spaces.

Firefighters Rescue 4 Dogs From Apartment Fire In Santa Rosa

• Two of the dogs were unconscious but firefighters were able to revive them using specialized pet oxygen resuscitation masks.

Alameda County Firefighters Collecting Christmas Toys

• You may drop off unwrapped toys at the fire station.

Castro Valley Cub Scouts Collect Toys For Needy Children

• The Cub Scouts contributed the toys to the Alameda County Fire Department's program.

Bay Area Law Enforcement Agencies Carry On Holiday Toy Drives Despite COVID Pandemic Restrictions

• With Christmas rapidly approaching, the pandemic is having a Grinch-like effect on a lot of the usual traditions.

Livermore's Giving Tree Brings Cheer To Families In Need

• Livermore Police Department's Giving Tree benefitted dozens of seniors and families, who all received a sleigh full of gifts this year.

East Bay Homeless Charities Receive Jeff Bezos Foundation Money

• Two East Bay charities helping to end homelessness were chosen.

Rohnert Park Mountain Mike's To Reward Teachers With Free Pizza

• Mountain Mike's Pizza locations in Rohnert Park and around the North Bay are giving a free carryout pizza to educators Wednesday, Dec. 23.

Pleasanton Teen Among First Women To Earn Eagle Scout Rank

• A teen from Pleasanton broke Boy Scout barriers after earning rank of Eagle Scout, becoming one of the first women to do so.

Show Us Your Child's Letter To Santa

• Show us a picture of your child's handwritten letter to Santa to spread some holiday joy this year.

Christmas Bird Count: How To Participate In Bay Area

• The Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count will go from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5.

Feeding America Donations In Patch Food Drive Are Tax Deductible

• The Patch Holiday Food Drive helps Feeding America serve up to 50 million people who don't have enough to eat because of the pandemic.

If you have an idea for a nice news story in your town, let us know. Email your story tips to autumn.johnson@patch.com.