BRAD HORN/Nevada Appeal Tanya Edmondson, a counselor at Dayton Elementary School, says that last year, her mitten tree program helped buy Christmas presents for 165 area children.
Dayton children can warm more than their hands this year if enough residents pick a mitten off of the paper Christmas tree.
The mitten tree is on the door of Dayton Elementary School counselor Tanya Edmondson's office, filled with paper mittens containing sizes and wishes of area children. Volunteer Santas are needed to purchase clothing and items to make the wishes come true.
"This is for clothing and toys," Edmondson said. "We call it 'Santa Claus wishes.'"
The Helping Hands program, now in its third year, will help between 150 and 200 children whose needs and desires are on the mittens. Some of the wishes are poignant.
"For some of them, it's their only Christmas present," Edmondson said. "One grandma said the children wanted a Christmas tree."
Others are amusing. "I had one little boy ask for a chew toy for his dog," she said with a laugh. "Another wanted a bathroom because he and his father are always shut out of the bathroom. Too many sisters, I guess."
Those making wishes come true can come to the school at 285 Old Dayton Valley Road between 7:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. to get a mitten from the tree. Or they can call Edmondson at 246-6262, and she will choose a mitten for them and read them the request over the phone.
The program, which is independent from the Central Lyon Youth Connection toy drive, also accepts monetary gifts.
Purchased items must be returned to Dayton Elementary School by Dec. 11.
• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.
You can help
WHAT: Dayton Elementary School Mitten Tree
WHEN: 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 11
WHERE: 285 Old Dayton
Valley Road
CALL: Tanya Edmondson at (775) 246-6262