Angel Trees, decorated with tags that represent as many as 500 needy boys and girls in Carson City and Douglas County, are sprouting in a dozen offices and businesses.
Each tag on the trees specifies either a boy or girl, their age and the kind of gifts that would help make them merry for Christmas.
Christine Cooley, who coordinated the Angel Tree effort through local businesses and The Salvation Army, said she hopes to meet all the Christmas needs for the children, as well as their wishes.
The tags include basic information for a gift. For example, a 9-year-old girl on the list would need shirts size 14 to 16, pants size 14 to 16, shoes size 6, and a coat size 14 to 16. She asked for clothes. To fulfill her Christmas dreams, she would like a scooter, toys and a bicycle.
To help an angel, choose a tag off a tree at a local business, purchase the gifts and return the gifts to one of the dropoff spots by Dec. 21. The gifts should be left unwrapped, but wrapping paper may be included with the gift.
Angel Trees will be located at: Automotive Maintenance, 5801 Sheep Drive No. 8; Century 21 Heritage West, 603 S. Carson St.; City Hall, 201 N. Carson St., Suite 2; Denny's, 2299 N. Carson St.; Dr. D'Ascoli, 1407 N. Carson St.; Hytex Microsystems, 400 Hot Springs Road; Michael Hohl Honda/Subaru, 4500 N. Carson St.; Secretary of State Office, 101 N. Carson St. Ste. 3; St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 305 N. Minnesota St.; Straw Hat Pizza, 127 Clearview Dr.; Sun Loan, 1949 N. Carson St.
In addition, several locations are taking donations for the Toys for Tots program. People may take new toys to the dropoff areas, and they will be distributed to needy children in the area.
Toys for Tots 2000 dropoff locations are: Automotive Maintenance, 5801 Sheep Dr. No. 8; Caldwell Banker Village Realty, 1987 N. Carson No. 75; The Salvation Army, 661 Colorado St.; Papa Murphy's, 1894 Highway 50 East; Western Nevada Community College Library, 2201 N. College Parkway.
YOU CAN HELP
For information, call Christine Cooley at 720-4810.
Gift Suggestions:
Ages 0-2: Fisher Price toys, riding toys, soft stuffed toys, soft blocks, toy gyms, Disney character toys.
Ages 3-5: Trucks, cars, planes, Playskool or Little Tyke toys, Barbie dolls and gear, Legos, blocks, dolls (all races), Crayola kits, teddy bears, puzzles, educational toys.
Ages 6-9: Action figures, Disney movie items, Legos, models, dolls (all races), Barbie dolls and gear, games, remote control cars, sports equipment, Crayola kits, walkie-talkies, puppets.
Ages 10-12: Sports equipment, radios, tape players, games, watches, jewelry or jewelry kits, hair accessories, curling irons, purses, make-up kits, back packs, gym bags, remote control cars, models, art kits, board games.
Ages 13-17: Department store gift certificates (from Santa), sports equipment, school gear, back packs, purses, radios, tape players, electronic games, watches, jewelry, hair dryers, hair accessories, curling irons, purses, make-up, perfume, clothes, gym bags, back packs, models, art supplies, dart boards.
Dream Items: Bicycles, tricycles, skate boards, Easy Bake ovens, play kitchens, boom boxes, Nintendos, Segas, musical instruments.
Stocking Stuffers: Crayons, coloring books, hair accessories, small dolls, doll clothing, cassette tapes, books, nail polish.
Always needed: Candy canes.