The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has teamed up with the Good Samaritan Shelter to bring holiday cheer to clients at the Hedges House of Hope. Custody staff from the Quality of Work Life Committee initiated a project with the goal of filling stockings with essential items and fun gifts for each client at the Hedges House of Hope.

The Quality of Work Life Committee is comprised of Custody staff members who are dedicated to improving the communication and camaraderie of custody relations by offering a supportive atmosphere to create and maintain a positive culture in their challenging stressful career field.

Hedges House of Hope is a 50-bed shelter located in Isla Vista that serves homeless single adults in need of shelter that are from the Isla Vista & Goleta areas. The program named in honor of the late Father Jon Hedges, who was a homeless advocate that had a real passion in serving the homeless throughout his lifetime.

Deputies at the Isla Vista Foot Patrol Station received the internal email about the project headed by the Quality of Work Life Committee and decided that this would be a great opportunity to honor their late friend and colleague, Father Jon Hedges. In the spirit of Father Jon’s legacy, deputies pooled their money to purchase 50 hygiene kits that include a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, and deodorant. These items will be included in stockings filled other fun gifts like a manicure set, holiday mug, hot chocolate, and snacks that were generously donated by Custody staff from the Main Jail.

Anyone interested in donating to Hedges House of Hope is welcome to drop off items at the Father Virgil Cardona Center located at 4020 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93110. The Center is open Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.