Loomis to host Christmas tree lighting downtown Dec. 7

The 50th annual Loomis Family Christmas Tree lighting is scheduled for Dec. 7. Presented by the Loomis Basin Chamber of Commerce, the annual holiday event will be held at the Train Depot downtown on Taylor Road from 5 to 7 p.m. Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance at 5:30 p.m., with the tree lighting at 6. Loomis Lions will be collecting unwrapped toys at this free, family friendly event. Meanwhile, the Loomis Basin Christmas Basket Program is still collecting toys and food for the holiday tradition of giving to the less fortunate in the community during the holidays. The Loomis Basin Chamber of Commerce will also host the annual holiday mixer at the Blue Goose Event Center on Taylor Road to support the Christmas Basket Program on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m. The Christmas basket program will again provide food, gifts for children and gift cards to more than 350 families in December. "Over $50,000 was distributed last year thanks to individual and company donations in and around the Loomis Basin. This year, we will be distributing almost $60,000 in gift cards, boxed food and toys for the children," the Loomis Chamber announced on its website. Toys and food baskets will be distributed Dec. 15. Applications for food baskets or toys must either be received or postmarked by Monday, Dec. 9, officials said. Applications can be picked up at the First United Methodist Church food pantry in Loomis, 6414 Brace Road. To apply, all must have an ID and physical proof of address in the Loomis, Penryn, Ophir, Newcastle and Rocklin areas. Gift baskets will be distributed Sunday, Dec. 15, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Brace Road church.