Join us this Saturday to celebrate WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD at the East County First 5 Center. We have an entire morning of events planned to celebrate families with young children – arts and crafts, story time, face painting, and a wildlife presentation.

Bring the whole family!

See you Saturday!

Celebrate Antioch Foundation and the Rivertown Merchants announces their 2023 list of events in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown in beginning in April. Some events will be hosted by or with other community partners. Download, print and post this flier on your refrigerator or save it in your phone’s photo album and add the list below to your calendar as reminders! To participate or for more information visit www.celebrateantioch.org or www.facebook.com/antiochrivertown.

San Francisco Magician and Balloon Twister Perry Yan brings his entertaining act to the Antioch Library on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.

His Magic Show has been time tested through thousands of performances at schools, company events, kids’ birthday parties and more! His show is designed to engage both kids and adults, includes clean comedy and audience participation and offers visual and astonishing magic throughout. Perry’s Magic Show will have the kids AND adults entertained from start to finish!

The library is located at 501 W. 18th Street.

Children and family members from Antioch’s Sycamore neighborhood look through the toys to choose two each as their Christmas gift as volunteers from Bonafide Sisterhood assist on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022. Photos by Allen D. Payton

Families are greeted by Santa Claus as they await their turn for the children to choose their favorite toys for Christmas.

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch-based Bonafide Sisterhood gave some early assistance to Santa Claus by holding their annual Christmas toy giveaway for residents in the Sycamore Drive neighborhood on Monday night Dec. 19, 2022.

“Each child gets two items in the first go around to make sure everyone gets something,” said Executive Director Tonyia ‘Nina’ Carter. “Then if there are more toys remaining families can return and get more.”

They also raffled off several bikes.

This was the organization’s third year holding the event. About six volunteers helped including one dressed as Santa Claus.

“I just want to say thank you to the community for supporting the effort,” Carter said. “I give a special shout out to Sandra White, Tammy Scott, East Bay Forward EDA and Moms Demand Action who donated toys and to our volunteers.”

A variety of new toys were available for the children to choose from.

The Bonafide Sisterhood is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides much-needed resources to challenging communities. Focusing on redirecting, rebuilding, and preventing gang and gun violence by supporting families through life’s challenges by connecting them to Community-Based Life Coaches that will help them connect the dots along their healing journey and advocate for their well-being.

To learn more about the organization and to support their efforts visit www.bonafidesisterhood.org.

Or drop off your donated toy at the Dillon’s Dream booth during the Holiday Delites celebration in Rivertown, Saturday, Dec. 3.

The toys will be donated for children in the oncology clinics at John Muir Walnut Creek, Kaiser Oakland and Sutter Health Sacramento.

For more information about Dillon’s Dream visit dillonsdreams.org.

The International Orphan Relief Foundation wishes you a happy holiday season! We would love for you to be a part of our annual East County Christmas Children’s PJ and To Drive. Please click the link below to see how you can impact the youth and families in East County and bring joy this Christmas!

Donate to our Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/DirCStaton