Dayton goes all out for kids this Christmas

Dayton residents and officials are pulling out all the stops to benefit local kids this holiday season.

They are putting on shows, stuffing cop cars, going shopping and selling Christmas trees, all to make sure needy Dayton children don't do without during the holidays.

"The Twelve Gifts of Christmas," to be performed at Chuck's Old West Grill, formerly the Odeon Hall, on Pike Street in Downtown Dayton at 4 p.m. Dec. 13, will include a variety of presentations from area theater groups and businesses, as well as Dayton school children.

Cookies will be for sale and hot chocolate will be served. Tickets are $12 a person and kids under 10 are admitted free.

No tickets will be sold at the door. Only 100 are available and they can be purchased at area businesses.

For more information on how to get tickets, call 315-2165.

"You won't believe the great talent from our local businesses that will turn out to dazzle and entertain you for a wonderful cause," said Jan Duke, organizer of the event.

All proceeds from this event will be given to the Lyon County Sheriff's office at the end of the program for its "Shop with a Sheriff" program.

"Our goal is to raise at least $1,000 or more from local businesses and community members," said Deputy Julie Redmond, coordinator of "Shop with a Sheriff." "One hundred percent of the donations will be put towards children who have been victims of crime or come from needy families."

Redmond said any amount is needed and is appreciated, and donations must be made before Tuesday. Call 246-6200 or 577-5023.

Checks can be made out to Lyon County Sheriff's Office with "Shop with a Sheriff" in the memo line and can be mailed to: Attn: Brenda Farler, 30 Nevin Way, Yerington, NV 89447.

Redmond also said three more children are needed for the shopping event, to meet the department's goal of helping 10 children, and said if all tickets are sold for "The Twelve Gifts of Christmas, then 12 children can be helped.

"It's going very well, and we are going to take kids from all over Lyon County shopping," she said. "We have $700 raised, so we are trying to get $300 raised, and if the show sells out, that would sponsor 12 children."

Redmond said she volunteered for the program because she likes to help people and be a part of the community.

"It's a lot of work, but it's worth every ounce of time and it sets a good example for my kids," she said.

In addition to the performance, Redmond is also working with Central Lyon Youth Connections on the "Stuff a Cop Car With Toys" event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Community Roots, 60 Second Avenue, Dayton.

The public is asked to help fill a police cruiser with toys, which will be distributed on Dec. 13 at Riverview Elementary School. Call Healthy Communities Coalition at 246-7550 for more information about toy distribution.

Central Lyon Youth Connections is also selling Christmas trees to fund their youth programs at Community Roots.

For more information, call Wendy Madson at CLYC, 250-7884.