Santa Claus is coming to Dayton, but he still needs some elves to help him out.
Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey counties is teaming up with Lyon County Human Services to organize the annual Dayton Toy Drive for Christmas, and barrels are set up in many Dayton businesses for toy donations. Donors may receive a Merry Christmas themselves.
According to Bridget Thompson, of Healthy Communities, anyone who donates $100 or more in toys or cash will be eligible for a raffle, with the prize being two passes to Diamond Peak Ski Resort.
Also, the business that collects the most toys will receive a free lunch for 15 from the Pizza Factory in Dayton.
"We thought we'd add something to make it fun for donors," Thompson said, adding that to qualify for the prizes, donors must turn their donations in at the Dayton Community Center location.
Other drop-off areas in Dayton are the UPS Store, Pizza Factory, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Stor-All, Makin' Coffee, Legado Country Club, Coldwell Banker and Subway, and in Mound House at the General Store.
Another change this year is that parents will be able to select the toys from the donations for their children.
"We wanted to give the parents the opportunity to choose this year," Thompson said. "They get to pick something they know their children will enjoy, rather than us guessing what the children will enjoy."
To receive toys for their children, parents can obtain signup sheets at the Dayton Community Center, Lyon County Human Services office, Lyon County Utilities, Dayton Library, General Store, Bread of Life Church and Building Blocks Child Care Center.
Information sheets must be returned to the Dayton Community Center between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. by Dec. 15. If it is difficult to drop off forms between those hours, Thompson said Healthy Communities can provide assistance.
The toys will be distributed at the annual Breakfast with Santa from 8-11 a.m. Dec. 16 at the Dayton Community Center. The Dayton Kiwanis will help provide the breakfast, and Santa will pose for photos with the children. Dayton area teens will also help out with the event, Thompson said.
The toy drive is for children in the communities along the Dayton corridor, Thompson said, including Dayton, Mound House, Silver City and Mark Twain.
Thompson said that all donations received in the Dayton area will be given there. She added that monetary donations are also being accepted, and will be used for last-minute, age- and gender-specific toy purchases.
• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.
You can help
WHAT: Dayton Toy Drive
WHEN: Through Dec. 15
WHERE: Drop off toys in Dayton at the UPS Store, Pizza Factory, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Stor-All, Makin' Coffee, Legado Country Club, Coldwell Banker and Subway, and in Mound House at the General Store
CALL: 246-7550
To receive toys
Sign up sheets are available at:
• Dayton Community Center, 170 Pike St., Dayton
• Lyon County Human Services Office in Occidental Square, Dayton
• Lyon County Utilities on Lakes Boulevard, Dayton
• Dayton Library, Old Dayton Valley Road, Dayton
• General Store, Highway 50, Mound House
• Bread of Life Church, Highway 50, Mound House
• Building Blocks Child Care Center, Occidental Square between 6 a.m.Ð2 p.m.
Information sheets must be returned to the Dayton Community Center between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. by Dec. 15. If it is difficult to drop off forms between those hours, call Healthy Communities at 246-7550 for assistance.