This week, Republic FC delivered holiday cheer through its fourth annual Winter Wishlist Donation Drive in partnership with Bank of Marin. The club’s front office staff alongside defender Aldair Sanchez, Robla Unified School District Superintendent Eileen Chan, and Sacramento City Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, teamed up on Tuesday afternoon to deliver over $10,000 in items to students and families in North Sacramento’s Robla Unified School District. With additional support from AARP, families will also receive gift cards for groceries to help with a fresh and healthy holiday meal.
For four consecutive years, fans, community members, and the club’s Indomitable Partners have collected coats, toys and cash donations, along with grocery gift cards from club partners and more. At the beginning of the month, Republic FC players had the opportunity to go on a Winter Wishlist shopping spree thanks to a generous donation from Macy’s at Arden Fair. Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna donated $2,000, and Councilmember Kaplan helped by contributing $1,000 to help support the families she represents in District 1, where Robla School District is located.
“Robla is a very high needs community, and our families are blessed because there are so many people who want to help us out any way they can,” said Eileen Chan, Superintendent of Schools for Robla School District of the program’s impact. “The Robla family is not just with our community, it with our community partners and neighbors who do what they can to support all our students, families, and schools,”
“For us, we just want to show that we’re a big part of the Sacramento community,” said Republic FC Director of Community Investment Kevin Burdick. “We hope it brings some holiday cheer – and provides some extra opportunities where the families at Robla School District don’t have to buy a new toy or coat this holiday season.”
Robla is one of the oldest school districts in the region. Serving approximately 2,000 students, more than 90% of the district’s families live at or below the federal poverty line and over 20% of students lack a fixed, adequate, and regular nighttime residence. The staff and teachers in the district are not just educators, but often a lifeline and resource for daily life.
