As holiday approaches, so do opportunities to help

The days will be growing colder as winter approaches. The cold threatens those who cannot afford to buy coats, especially children.

An annual coat drive is held to collect new or gently used coats of all sizes. You can drop off coats, as well as warm sweaters, pullovers and clothing to the Kids in Transition program.

This program supports children in need of assistance . Those who qualify are children in transitional housing, motels, hotels, campgrounds, doubling up, foster care or emergency shelters.

Sometimes foster children arrive with only the clothes on their backs.

Now, there is a new clothes closet designed to assist our community's foster children return to school with confidence " in clothes that fit and feel great.

If you have clothing your children have outgrown and that are in excellent condition, please donate them.

Contributions of shoes, pants, tops, new socks, and packaged undergarments in all sizes are greatly needed for children in these programs.

So many times children don't even have socks. You can help provide foster children with some of the basic necessities they often go without.

I know this Christmas is going to be tough for everyone. We all can see by the news across the country, lay-offs, budget cuts and slow sales that everyone is affected.

But Austin House has prepared a special holiday wish list for the children at the emergency shelter who might not be able to be home for the holidays.

Any donation would be great to help local children enjoy Christmas in the shelter.

They are hoping for great gift cards to local stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, Borders, Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, Amazon.com, Old Navy and Michael's.

Even gift cards to local movie theaters, Blockbuster video rentals, local restaurants or fast food, bowling and the Douglas County Swim Center ... anything you think a child would enjoy would be greatly appreciated.

Carson City Emblem Club 507 is sponsoring a Christmas Fantasy Wine Tasting and Gift Basket Show,

Enjoy delicious red, white and sparkling wines from the northern and southern hemisphere, from Washington State to South America.

Shop the wonderful gift baskets for purchase " a little early shopping never hurts.

Christmas Fantasy Wine Tasting and Gift Basket Show

WHO: Carson City Emblem Club 507 

WHAT: Wine tasting and shopping

WHERE: Elk's Lodge, 515 N. Nevada St.

WHEN: 5-8 p.m. Friday and 2-5 p.m. Saturday

COST: 10 per person

CONTACT: 882-2177 or call Carol Park at 882-3751

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

Carson City Emblem Club 507 is sponsoring a Christmas Fantasy Wine Tasting and Gift Basket Show,

Enjoy delicious red, white and sparkling wines from the northern and southern hemisphere, from Washington State to South America.

Shop the wonderful gift baskets for purchase " a little early shopping never hurts.

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