Uplifting Our Older Adult Neighbors As we enter this season of gratitude, we are honored to celebrate two recent community events that strengthened connections, promoted safety, and reminded us of the power of coming together. Thanks to the generous support of the Joseph & Vera Long Foundation, six older adults received no-monthly-fee medical alert devices along with hands-on training to ensure they feel confident using them. These devices provide peace of mind for older adults living alone, offering a reliable way to access help whenever needed. Even more meaningful, the workshop brought neighbors together, with many sharing that they hadn’t seen one another in a long while, and created a welcoming space where participants felt safer, more supported, and deeply connected. We also gathered for a special Thanksgiving Lunch & Learn, co-hosted by UpValley Family Centers and Rianda House, with generous support from Calistoga Parks & Recreation and Adventist Health St. Helena. With catering from Lincoln Avenue Brewing – home of Local Q 707, the celebration served 75 older adults and featured games, activities, and heartfelt moments of gratitude at the Calistoga Community Center. It was a joyful reminder of the strength and warmth found in community. |
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Remembrance, Culture, and Connection November 2 marked the 17th anniversary of our Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration co-produced with Nimbus Arts, which honors the lives of loved ones who have passed while celebrating the cultural heritage that enriches our valley. Over 600 attendees enjoyed live performances by Jazmin Oro and Los Panaderos, admired beautifully crafted altars created in memory of family members and pets, and participated in children’s art activities led by Nimbus Arts. Local food trucks served up authentic Latin American dishes, adding flavor to an afternoon filled with color, music, and community. For UpValley Family Centers, the event represents more than a festival - it’s a reflection of our organization’s mission to stand with local families and strengthen community connection. Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life and is an important cultural tradition for many families in our community. When we gather to honor these traditions, we send a powerful message: everyone is valued, and everyone belongs. This event was made possible thanks to our staff, volunteers, and generous sponsors: The City of Saint Helena, Damian Maldonado Memorial Foundation, The Doctors Company, Former Mayor Alan and Dr. Catherine Galbraith, Jones Family Vineyards, MCE Clean Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Abreu Vineyards, Westamerica Bank, Napa County Resource Conservation District. |
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Upcoming Holiday Festivities:
| Calistoga: We hope to see you on Friday, December 5 from 5-7:30 PM for Calistoga’s Merry & Bright Night - We're teaming up with the Brannan Center, City of Calistoga, and Calistoga Chamber of Commerce for an evening filled with holiday cheer, community spirit, and twinkling lights! Take a photo with Santa, make a gingerbread house, and enjoy performances by CJUSD musical ensembles. The tree lighting will be at 7:00 PM sharp on Brannan Center’s Dawn Terrace — don’t miss the magic moment when Calistoga shines bright! St. Helena: Join UpValley Family Centers and St. Helena Parks & Recreation at the St. Helena Fire Department for a Gingerbread House Decorating Party on Saturday, December 13, from 11 AM to 2 PM. Decorate your own gingerbread house, take a festive family photo, and enjoy a free wood-fired pizza lunch. |
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Season of Giving As we enter the season of giving, we’re reminded of the incredible impact that generosity can have on the lives of our upvalley neighbors. Each day, we see the growing need. People in our community are feeling the strain of rising costs, reduced services, and growing uncertainty. More families are turning to us for emergency assistance, immigration support, parenting resources, and programs that help people of all ages stay stable and connected. Together, we can ensure that no matter what lies ahead, UpValley Family Centers can continue transforming compassion into action and challenges into opportunity. Flexible, unrestricted funding helps us respond quickly to the most urgent needs in our community, from preschoolers to teenagers, working parents to older adults. Ways to Give This Season: 1. Give directly to UpValley Family Centers - Make a gift that provides immediate, flexible support where it’s needed most. Donate online or mail a check to UpValley Family Centers at 1440 Spring Street, St. Helena, CA 94574. 2. Donate to UpValley Family Centers through Napa Valley CanDo's Give!Guide - Join a community of givers and double your donation: An anonymous donor will match the first $3,000 contributed to the UpValley Family Centers through the Give!Guide. |
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Volunteers needed! We are seeking volunteers to help with our Holiday Assistance Program and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. If you are interested in any of our volunteer opportunities, please fill out the volunteer interest form on our website: upvalleyfamilycenters.org/volunteer. If you have questions, please email Cambria Kirby at ckirby@upvalleyfamilycenters.org. Volunteer for Holiday Assistance this December! Be part of our season of giving and help bring holiday joy to upvalley families and older adults.
- Toy Sorting in Napa on Wednesday, December 3 from 9am-12:30pm. This involves sorting toys onsite at the Salvation Army / Toys for Tots distribution center in South Napa with a group of UpValley volunteers. Perfect for someone who always wanted to go to Santa’s workshop!
- Gift distribution set-up in St. Helena and Calistoga on Thursday, December 11 from 11:30am-3pm. Help staff prep the gift distribution venue in St. Helena. Unloading the U-Haul, sorting bags into numerical order, and filling bags with additional toys.
Volunteer for VITA next January-April! Make a difference in the lives of local families and help them claim the valuable tax credits they’ve earned! We're looking for committed volunteers to help with intake or tax preparation. No previous tax or accounting experience is necessary. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one shift (4-5 hours) a week on a recurring basis throughout the tax season (January-April). |
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