The Carson City School District's Kids in Transition and the Sheriff's Department are desperate for cash donations to take 200 needy Carson City children on the Christmas with a Cop shopping spree next week.
Organizer Detective Dena Lacy said because of the downturn in the economy, fewer donations are coming in " and an additional 70 children are in need.
"We need the community's help," she said.
Last year, 130 children from the city's elementary and middle schools were each given a $100 gift card to Wal-Mart.
The children were escorted through the store by a Sheriff's Department deputy or law enforcement employee and allowed to purchase whatever age-appropriate items they wanted.
The shopping spree relies heavily on community donations, while the school district matches the funds.
Lacy said there's little in the kitty for this year's event.
"We are running low," she said. "Please help."
Jeannette Famoso, Kids in Transition coordinator, said donations across the board are down this year.
"The kids that are being chosen for this program are the ones that aren't getting 'adopted' by other (charitable) groups," she said. "For most of these kids, this will be their only Christmas. We are going to try to encourage them that they keep everything wrapped so they can put it under their Christmas tree. That's so sad."
Donations can be made to Carson City Sheriff's Department, 911 E. Musser St., 89706. Please make checks payable to the Carson City School District, and note in the memo "Christmas with a Cop."