Here are some programs designed to help police, homeless and children

I received an e-mail from a longtime friend, Judy Naves, whom I met many years ago when she volunteered at Classy Seconds.

She has donated endless hours helping an array of services projects in Carson City and just dropped me a line to ask where she can help out now. The irony is I had just visited Borders Book Store and ran into Diane Bertram.

Everyone knows Diane from the Carson City Sheriff's Department. She taught the D.A.R.E. program to my children. Now she is running another great program called V.I.P's, which stands for Volunteer in Partnership with the Sheriff program. What is great about this program are the services the volunteers can help with.

One volunteer, Maize Jesse, is working on creating a new Web site and I am sure, knowing Maize, it will be outstanding. This program helps our community as a whole in providing a support to our sheriff's department.

So if you are 18 or older with an interest in helping law enforcement and the community, check in with Diane. She is such an awesome individual and will match you up with what you would be interested in.

Volunteer in Partnership with the Sheriff program

WHEN: Anytime.

CONTACT: Diane Bertram at (775) 887-2020, ext 1149 for additional information and an application, or e-mail DBertram@ci.carson-city.nv.us

• • •

The Presbyterian Church joined with the local Methodist church in kick-off for the interfaith service and Homeless Tent City. The day starts with dinner, then an interfaith service o help bring attention to the plight of homelessness.

Most people try to ignore we have homeless here in the Carson City area as well as in Nevada in general. I worked as the child homeless advocate for the Carson City School District for eight years, and I can tell you we definitely have homeless people here.

I had the opportunity to travel the state and see it is not an isolated problem. I can tell you most the families I visited didn't have tents, so consider yourself lucky to pitch a tent Feb 18.

Organizer Elizabeth Dorway said, "People need to come together from Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City to let policy makers know homelessness is intolerable!"

Tent City

WHERE: Kick off at 4 p.m. in front of the Legislature. Dinner will be served at the Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m. The interfaith service will be at the Methodist Church at 7 p.m.

WHEN: Feb. 18-19

CONTACT: If you are coming to Tent City or dinner please R.S.V.P. with Elizabeth Dorway at ihndirector@sbcglobal.net or 284-5566.

• • •

I wanted to update all of you who have written or called to help assist in the new emergency children's shelter.

First, I wanted to thank everyone for the support and express how great our community is. I also wanted to acknowledge that many of you stated you never realized we had a children's shelter.

It's not publicized because of the circumstances in which the children are placed within this very special home.

I can't thank all of you enough for making a difference in so many children's lives.

This shelter operates all year long, so you may continue to assist them. I also want to thank the private donor who gave Father Jerry the remaining money needed for the children's shelter. May you know how much that means to these children. Thank you!

Jim Powell wrote the following to Justin Harris, who organized this grassroots campaign to help children.

"Justin,

Thank you so much for your efforts in obtaining donations to the shelter, and please accept my utmost expressions of gratitude for those who have donated. Our Sacramento office would like to send out all of the appropriate letters of appreciation early next week. Before they do so, are there any more donations? I don't want to forget thanking the many individuals that helped. Please let me know and God Bless, Jim."

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

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