Ed. Note: The following article is a news release.

A “Holiday Heroes” event was held in early December by the Santa Clarita Valley chapter of Junior Chamber International and the Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita.

On Dec. 8, members from both groups came together to design and make Christmas and holiday greetings cards for over 100 injured Marine recruits.

Members also wrote letters to troops thanking them for their service and are providing small care packages to injured marines who are away from their families during the holidays.

The event was the brainchild of Lisa Ballantine; a Soroptimist Member who has been visiting injured Marines on Christmas Day for over 10 years and delivering care packages and holiday messages.

“We were thrilled that our two groups came together to spread holiday cheer to our brave marine’s this holiday season,” said Amanda Etcheverry, with Soroptimist, and Neil Fitzgerald, with the Jaycees, co-chairs of the event. “Lisa has been incredible supporting the troops all this time and we were glad to be able to support her.”

To find out more about the Soroptimists click here. To find out more about the Jaycees visit click here.