Families can enjoy stories, bingo and chili cookoff; troubled kids need PJs

There are two age groups that I don't think get enough publicity: toddlers or preschoolers and then, of course, we could do more for senior citizens.

For preschoolers, there is a fun indoor activity at the Carson City Library Youth Department. We all know reading to our children in the earliest stages of development incorporates a wealth of knowledge. The library's spring session of storytime begins Tuesday. It features an additional preschool storytime and runs through May 19. This program is geared for ages 3-5 who are independent enough to listen to stories and participate.

Toddler lap-sit, for ages 2-3, is held twice each Thursday.

Spring Storytime

When: Tuesday-May 19

Where: Carson City Library, 900 N. Roop St.

Contact: www.carson-city.nv.us/library or 887-2244, ext. 1004

Carson Middle School's annual Bingo and Chili Cook-off is Friday. Taste the best of the best from several chili cooks, and see who receives the bragging rights for one whole year.

That's not all the Carson Middle School fundraiser has to offer; bring the family and play some bingo.

Charise Whitt and the rest of the Carson Middle School PTA and faculty have put a lot of their personal time into this fundraiser to purchase much-needed items for the children and school.

Carson Middle School's Bingo and Chili Cook-off

When: 5:30-8 p.m. Friday

Where: Carson Middle School, 1400 W. King St.

Cost: $5 entry fee per recipe for chili contest; $5 for chili dinner, plus bingo. Make checks payable to CMS PTA

Contact: Charise Whitt at 883-1682 or the school at 283-2800

I know a young man who wants to put his senior project into action by helping abused children who are taken by authorities or a parent, sometimes in the middle of the night. Most of the time, children do not get to bring with them any personal belongings until things are sorted out.

Nick Bacon's senior project is no surprise to me, because he was raised in a home where helping the homeless and children is a focus. Nick is my son, but I did not pick this project for him. I read his five-page report on homelessness and was amazed at the staggering statistics concerning the growing population of U.S. single mothers who are considered homeless.

I talked to Volunteers of America during the holidays and asked what these women's children need most. They said pajamas of all sizes. Pajamas are last on the list of items people are thinking about when trying to get a child to safety.

Nick started collecting money in December, but now he wants to extend the drive for Advocates to End Domestic Violence and for the Division of Child and Family Services.

The monthlong drive starts April 1. You may also include toothbrushes, slippers, combs, ribbons or any other items a child might need.

Pajamas for Children

Where: Collection points: Big O Tire Store, 119 Hot Springs Road, for Advocates to End Domestic Violence shelter; Cingular Wireless Store, 2300 S. Carson St., for Volunteers Of America Shelter; Sprint Cellular Store, 911 Topsy Lane, for Division of Child and Family Services and foster care.

When: The month of April

Contact: Kerri at Big O Tires, 882-2022; Nick at Cingular, 687-0500; Julie at Sprint, 267-0741

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