Christmas spirit needed to help community

With your generous donations, the VOA Emergency Children's Shelter is halfway to its goal of funding new furniture. It needs only $3,600 more to have the rooms completed before Christmas.

Whole Child Committee Chairwoman Valerie Wyman pledged, on behalf of Carson Soroptimist International, sponsorship of half of the girls room in the shelter. She's challenging all the other service groups in Carson, Douglas and Lyon County to help also. Remember, donations are tax-deducible.

The shelter protects children up to age 18 throughout the year, not just at Christmas.

Volunteers of America

Emergency Children's Shelter

WHERE: Kept secret, due to the safety of the children

HOW: Check can be written directly to the VOA Shelter

CONTACT: gjustinharris@yahoo.com or jpowell1492@hotmail.com

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Thanks to so many of you for helping out with the Carson High gift program for needy children. However, they still have 40 teenagers who need a gift.

These children are ages 15-18, and in the foster-care system or in protective custody. Some are aging out of the system soon. If you want to purchase one gift for the 40 teenagers who still have not been selected, please contact the Division of Child and Family Services coordinator.

A special thank you to Valerie Perkins, who called from the local Toys for Tots program to say, if we can't get these teenagers a gift, the Marines would be there for them. Thank you to all the Marines out there for that generous offer and their continued support for local children.

Gifts for teenagers

WHERE: 1677 Old Hot Springs Road, Carson City NV 89706

WHEN: Until Wednesday

CONTACT: Tawnya Blair or Suzanne Wright at 687-4943

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Sheriff's Deputy Dan Gonzales and Detective Dena Lacey are not to be messed with when it comes to stopping crime or helping the community.

On Thursday, they shopped with more than 90 teenagers from Carson Middle, Eagle Valley Middle and Carson High schools identified as needy by Kids in Transition program director Jeannette Famoso.

As Dan and Dena thought about how cold it is and with Christmas coming up, they decided to do a clothes drive within the sheriff's department. But as a community, we should join in as well.

We all give our children and grandchildren new clothes for Christmas, and they will then toss older garments aside. Grab a bag after Christmas and let the children give back to other children with the clothing they don't wear.

For children up to age 3, you can drop clothing off at the Pregnancy Center; for ages 3-6, please drop off at Classy Seconds, which helps clothe the little ones in the domestic violence shelter; for ages 7-18, the Carson City School District Homeless program.

Deputy Gonzales dropped off two big bags already, and they are going to two teenage boys to help them through the cold season. They really like the Old Navy jacket, Dan!

Clothing for kids in transition

WHEN: All year long, but especially during the Christmas season

CONTACT: Pregnancy Center, 885-1700; Jeannette Famoso 283-1526; and Classy Seconds 841-7081

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I called Dixie Reed at the Carson City Recreation Community Center on Friday looking for help in sponsoring two teenage boys for the ski program. So many children can't afford this type of activity.

For years, my children participated in the program, which transports the kids up to Diamond Peak Ski resort for lessons followed by a half-day of free time.

We always talk about getting children involved in activities that keep them busy and out of trouble. As any skier knows, that great feeling you get from the sport would be a great gift for a child.

You can sponsor these teenagers. Also remember they have swim passes for children and other activities.

Funding for ski program

COST: $225 per child age 9-18; swim pass 10-visit punch card is $19, 25-visit punch card is $47

WHERE: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

CONTACT: Call the Recreation Division at 887-2290, ext. 101

WEB SITE: www.carson-city.nv.us

• To have your information included, contact Kim Riggs at kimriggs@att.net.