12/10/2025
🎄✨ Meet Jude and Rebecca Kessler — joyful 5-year-old twins from Altadena who will help Governor Gavin Newsom light the State Capitol Tree Wednesday night.
(Learn how you can join this year's festivities at the end of this post!)
Rebecca, in her favorite Santa hat, loves to paint and color. Jude is all about trains and Legos. This sweet family — including parents Sandy and Kyle — have worked through a lot this year after losing their home in the Eaton Fire. We're honored to have them represent the 480,000 Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities that receive services and support through their local regional centers. For the twins, that's the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center. They provided supports and services both before and during the crisis which have helped to bring routine, continued growth, and community.
If you'd like to watch the Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony from home, it will be live streamed on the Governor’s Office YouTube and Facebook channels.
* * * * *
New this year, the Governor’s Office of Community Service and Engagement (GO-Serve) California Volunteers will host a holiday food drive benefiting the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Every donation – big or small – helps local families get the food they need. Most-needed items include peanut butter, canned tuna or chicken, beans, soups, stews, canned veggies, and canned fruit.
The public is invited to join the event on Wednesday, December 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. Pacific Time on the West Lawn of the State Capitol. Countdown to the lighting of the Capitol Tree with music from a local disc jockey, have the kids take a ride on a holiday train, and don't miss the cookie station!
* * * * *
