Local groups helping others this holiday season

If your group or business is doing something to help the community during the holidays, e-mail the information to editor@nevadaappeal.com, subject line Holiday Help, to be included in this listing. For more ways you can help or receive help, go to www.nevadaappeal.com/helping.

How to help:

• Toys for Tots Donations: Donations for children needing winter jackets will be accepted at the Stodick Estates Holiday Faire, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 at 1380 Stodick Lane in Gardnerville, one mile south of Scolari's. The jackets will go to the Educators Closet that distributes to those in need in that area. Coffee and warm cider will be privided. On sale at the holiday fair will be vintage and collectible jewelry, linens, art, Chanukah, ethnic and Southwest items, antiques, gifts, stocking stuffers, and designer clothes. For more information on the Educators Closet at Gleeson School, call 283-1526.

• Stuff a Cop Car: Santa will be on hand to greet children and to thank people who bring unwrapped, new toys and gifts to stuff a Lyon County police cruiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Smith's Grocery parking lot on Highway 50 in Dayton. Toys will benefit the regional toy drives for children in the Dayton, Silver City, Mound House, Stagecoach and Silver Springs areas. For more information, contact Mary Boettcher at 246-0320 or Wendy Madson at 246-7550.

• Dutch Brothers Donations: The Dutch Bros. Coffee, 1449 S. Carson St., will donate proceeds from every beverage sold Dec. 11 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada. Buck for Kids Day will take place at all 153 Dutch Bros. locations across seven western states. Last year, Dutch Bros. Coffee contributed nearly $65,000 dollars to local children's organizations on Buck for Kids Day.

• Crystal Angels Luncheon: The Crystal Angels, a local philanthropic organization, will host a holiday luncheon Dec. 10 in the ballroom of Antoci's Restaurant in Genoa Lakes. Proceeds from the luncheon will be used to buy Christmas presents for children in need.

The Christmas Tree Fantasy luncheon begins with cocktails at noon, followed by lunch at 1 a.m. A highlight of the luncheon is the Fantasy Tree raffle. Several trees have been beautifully decorated by volunteers and will be raffled during the event. Last year, the group supported 58 children in the Carson Valley during the holidays. The Crystal Angels supports Project Santa Claus, Austin's House and Abbey's Crossing. Tickets are $30 dollars and can be purchased by calling 783-3517.

• Homebound Seniors: Carson City Raiders Booster Club members will be purchasing and delivering gifts to 15 homebound seniors in the community this Christmas. For more information about how you can help or to make a contribution, e-mail Ed Cabello at eccabello@sbcglobal.net or call 246-4662.

• Advocates Food Drive: Advocates to End Domestic Violence is preparing for it's annual food drive from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Governor's Mansion on Mountain Street. The drive is held in conjunction with KTVN Channel 2 and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Call 883-7654 for more information.

• Advocates Holiday Adoption: Advocates to End Domestic Violence offers a Holiday Adoption for victims who have used their services. You can help by adopting someone for Christmas dinner and gifts. Call 883-7654.

• SWIM FOR FISH: The Carson City Parks and Recreation Department's Aquatic Facility will offer a "Food for FISH Swim Day" from 5:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 18. People can swim that day using their pass, paying the admission fee or bringing in a canned food item to help Friends In Service Helping. For more information, call 887-2262.

• Decorations and Donations: Burl Dubose of 1660 Sonoma St. has brightened up the neighborhood with holiday decorations. People driving by to enjoy the display are encouraged to drop off food in the donation box in his yard which will go toward Carson City's Food for Thought program.

• Toys for Tots Donations: Those interested in donating new toys for Toys for Tots should go to dropoff locations at Advance Custom Creations, Applebees, Bella Fiore Wines, Bully's, Capitol City Loans, Carson City, Harley Davidson, Carson City Library, Carson High School, Carson Lanes Bowling , Carson City Toyota, Carson Valley Inn - Gardnerville, CC Meneley School - Gardnerville Ranchos, Chili's , Chromalloy, City National Bank - College Parkway, Marriott Courtyard, Mike's Pharmacy, Decades, Doctor Smash Designs, Doppelgangers, Fandango Casino, Gold Dust West, Gold's Gym, Grocery Outlet, Hollywood Beauty Center, IHOP, Jacks Valley School, Jenny Craig, Les Schwab - South Carson, Les Schwab - North Carson, Marine's Recruiting Office, NV State Railroad Museum, Pau-Wa-Lu School - Gardnerville Ranchos, Pick and Pull - Hwy 50 East, Raleys - Gardnerville, Red's Old 395, Rite Aid - Gardnerville, Slot World, Timbers, Tumblewinds Gymnastics - Minden, United Blood Services, UPS - Hwy 50, UPS South - Topsy Lane, Walmart North, Walmart South, Wells Fargo Financial.

• Toys for Tots HELP NEEDED: Joyce Buckingham, executive director of the Ron Wood Family Resource Center is in need of volunteers to help pack and drive. To help, call 884-2269.

• Jenny Craig: Jenny Craig is calling on Carson City to come together and help out those in need, and challenges other businesses to do the same. They are collecting pet food for "Pets of the homeless," blankets and canned food items for the needy, winter coats, gloves, hats, and scarves for children in need. Those who want to help can come in and pick up a tag off the tree and buy an item for a family in the domestic violence shelter or for a senior they have adopted. Everyone who donates an item will receive a free 30-day Jenny Craig program just in time for January, a raffle ticket and more. Go to 444 E. William St., Ste. 14, or call for more information 884-0400.

• Be a Santa to a Senior: The popular campaign that in 2008 delivered more than 1,000 gifts to local needy seniors is under way again this holiday season. Walmart has partnered with a local senior-care services to make sure that isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship through the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help with the gift-wrapping event Dec. 13 in Carson City, contact the Home Instead Senior Care office at 775-336-5333. For tree locations go to beasantatoasenior.com.

• Help Homeless Animals: The community will have an opportunity to help homeless animals this holiday season. MAX'S Pet Supplies, located in the Raley's Shopping Center in Gardnerville on Highway 395, and the Douglas Animal Welfare Group are partnering to supply much-needed items for the animals. A holiday gift tree will be displayed at Max's from Nov. 27 to Dec. 22. The tree will display ornaments filled with specific requests. Those wishing to help can purchase and donate the requested item. The selected gift will be added to Max's Big Gift Box for later pickup by a DAWG member and delivered to the Douglas County Animal Shelter before Christmas. The store opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information visit dawgrescue.com.

• Gift Cards needed: The Carson City Foster Home Support and Recruitment Coalition's annual St. Nicholas Day Gift Card Party will be from 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 10 at Comma Coffee. The coalition is inviting those who would like to help to bring a gift card from a store, or even make a cash contribution that can be used to purchase gift cards. Checks should be made out to CASA of Carson City and marked in the lower left corner, "For Gift Cards." These gift cards are usually placed in the hands of foster parents to help with sudden incidental child needs, often clothes, toys, activities. Carson City children are in need of foster homes in Carson City. For more info on the Coalition e-mail casaofcc@earthlink.net or contact Marylee Mockford at 775-423-8566, ext. 235.

• Friends to All: Santa and volunteers will visit seniors in their homes for a photograph and a gift. To make a monetary donation, make checks payable to Retired Senior Volunteer Program with a memo "Friends to All" and send it to Friends to All, c/o Fountainhead Associates, In., 312 W. Fourth St., Carson City, NV 89703. They can also use donations such as packaged food items, gift certificates, puzzle books, slipper socks, etc. For more information, call 884-0180 or 343-2402.

• FISH Needs Turkeys: Families are signing up with Friends In Service Helping for help with traditional Christmas dinners, said Jim Peckham, FISH's executive director. They expect to help about 700 families for Christmas. Financial donations and turkeys can be delivered to FISH, 138 E. Long St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Christmas with a Cop: Carson City Sheriff's Office is in need of donations to brighten the holidays for area youngsters. Send checks made payable to Carson City Sheriff's Office and annotated in the memo line "Christmas with a Cop." Mail to or drop off at 911 E. Musser St., 89702. For more information, call Detective Dena Lacy at 887-2020 ext. 41405 or Detective Daniel Gonzales at ext. 41407.

• Shop With a Sheriff: Lyon County Sheriff's Office is coordinating its second annual Shop With a Sheriff Dec. 12 at the Fernley Walmart. Monetary donations will go to provide children from needy families with Christmas gifts. To donate or sponsor a child for $100, call Deputy Julie Redmond at 246-6200 or 577-5023.

• Shop and Decoration Party: Twenty-five percent of all sales at Evergreen Gene's, 1811 N. Carson St., starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 and 16 will benefit Relay for Life. For more information, call 882-1807 or 530-0946. Evergreen Gene's, Inc. would like to assist any group or organization raise funds. We offer your group a decoration and gift party at the store. We show them various decorating ideas from the international Christmas collection. We also show them various gift ideas and gourmet food items. Everything that is purchased we will total up the sales then give that organization 25 percent of the gross sales. We also give free gift wrapping for that evening.

• Ron Wood Family Resource Center: Cash and food donations are needed to help families throughout the holidays and beyond. Call 884-2269 for more information or go to the resource center at 212 E. Winnie Lane. Monetary donations also can be made to that address.

• Salvation Army: Food and monetary donations can be made to the Salvation Army, 661 Colorado St. For more information, call 887-9120.

• Burlington Coat Factory/FISH coat drive: A coat drive partnership is being conducted through the end of the year. Coats can be donated at Burlington Coat Factory, 4209 S. Carson St., or by calling FISH at 882-3474.

• Metal for Meals: Carson Cans Recycling Company is hosting a fundraiser in support of FISH. The following donations will be accepted: aluminum cans, scrap aluminum, copper, brass, electric motors, insulated copper wire and cable, radiators, car batteries, cell phones, plastic water bottles, lead weights and ammunition brass (restrictions apply). Tax receipts given upon request. Carson Cans is at 3030 Sunrise Dr., Carson City. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Tuesday. Call 885-2260.

• Red Kettle Campaign: The Salvation Army kicked off its Red Kettle Campaign this week with bell ringers throughout the area. Call 887-9120.

• Angel Trees: The Salvation Army will have angel trees around town for those who want to help a child have a merry Christmas. Toys also can be dropped off at the Salvation Army office, 661 Colorado St. Call 887-9120.

• Online Angel Trees: JCPenney is partnering with the Salvation Army to offer online Angel Adoptions in order to be able to reach more children and seniors than ever before. Go to http://angel.jcpenney.com/search.aspx to adopt and shop for your online angel.

• Adopt a family: Any group that would like to adopt a family for Christmas in Dayton or the surrounding area can call 246-7550.

• Pets of the Homeless: Provide pet food or offer your business as a collection site for food for the Feeding Pets of the Homeless nonprofit by calling 841-7163. Those who want to help can also do so online at www.petsofhomeless.org or by mailing a contribution to 2255 Waterford Place, Carson City, NV 89703.

• Great Teddy Bear Roundup: Motel 6 is collecting new small- to medium-sized teddy bears through Dec. 11 to offer comfort to children in need during the holidays. The bears will be donated locally to law enforcement agencies, fire departments or hospitals. Call 885-7710.

• Seeliger Tree Pickup: The 2nd annual Seeliger Elementary School Christmas Tree Pickup Fundraiser is back by popular demand, and will begin Dec. 27 continuing through Jan. 3. Volunteers will pick Christmas trees up from your home (Carson City area only) and deliver it to a recycling facility where it will then be processed into mulch for ground cover. The mulch generated from the trees will be available to Carson City residents at no charge. Donations will help support the Seeliger Elementary School's Parent-Teacher Organization. Recommended donation is $5. Sign up or learn more by e-mailing the PTO at: seeligertreepickup@gmail.com.

• Dayton Food Bank: Needed are meat, nonperishable food, and hygiene items: toilet paper, shampoo, diapers. Donation drop off: Dayton Community Center, 170 Pike St., Dayton, Monday - Friday 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 246-7550.

• Coat Drive: Needed are clean coats, gloves/mittens, hats and scarves of all sizes, new or gently used. Organizers: Stand Tall youth leadership. Donation dropoff: Dayton Community Center, 170 Pike St., 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Fri. Call Laverne Jeffreys at 246-7550.

• Toy drive: Dayton-Silver City-Mound House-Mark Twain Toy Drive needs: Unwrapped gifts for children of all ages; tax deductible monetary donations. Organizers: Healthy Communities Coalition and Community Roots. Donation dropoffs: G.N.C.U., Caldwell Banker, Riverview, Dayton and Sutro Elementary Schools, Storall, Roadrunner, Pizza Factory, Utilities Bldg at 34 Lakes Blvd, 1st & 10 Restaurant, Terrible's Casino, Dayton Post Office, Pioneer Crossing, and Sierra Joes or Dayton Community Center, 170 Pike St., 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon. - Fri. Call Healthy Communities Coalition at 246-7550.

• Christmas Tree Sales benefit toy Drive: Organizers: Community Roots Nursery will hold a tree sale benefiting the toy drive at the Corner of U.S. 50 East and Second Avenue, Dayton.

• Santa for Seniors gift Drive: Gifts for senior citizens of Dayton to Silver Springs who would otherwise not have Christmas gifts. Contact Barbara Freet at 224-2259 to donate. For information, call organizers Linda and Jack Gordon at 721-3007.

• Kiwanis Need donations: Donations are for a shopping spree for children in need. Kiwanis also sponsor the Dayton Toy Drive breakfast held at 1st & 10 restaurant this year. They also fund a program called "Hope for Families," a last chance housing option for families with children who are facing foreclosure. They can take referrals from social services, schools, etc. Contact Theresa Kenneston at 443-5245.

• DAyton Resource Bank: Dayton Task Force, part of Healthy Communities Coalition, manages the Resource Bank which accepts referrals by teachers, coaches, counselors, nurses, etc. for students who are in need of things such as lab fees for math, art, and culinary arts, gym uniforms, sports physicals, etc. They are constantly in fundraising mode and in need of more volunteers, fundraising opportunities and partners and monetary donations or donations of skills (for instance, hair cuts for students in need). The Resource Bank offers additional help to students during the holidays. One of the items on the regional Toy Drive form offers to substitute payment for an extracurricular fee for a student who would prefer that to other gifts. Contact Sara Ross at 246-7550.

• Hugs from Home: Holiday packages for local soldiers, needs: Cash donations to mail holiday care packages to troops deployed overseas. Cost: $11.95 per box or any amount you can afford to give. Information: Dorothy Wingard, 246-2499.

• Sutro Elementary School Penny Drive: Needs pennies, which will be donated to the Kiwanis of Dayton Township. Drop off at the Sutro Elementary School office at 190 Dayton Village Pkwy., during school hours. Call 246-6270.

• Food for Fines: Your library fine will be erased when you bring the book(s) back and donate canned food to the library's food drive for the Dayton Food Bank. Organizers: Dayton Branch Library. Donation dropoff: 321 Old Dayton Valley Road, Dayton. Call 246-6212.

• Curves Food & Coat Drive: Dayton Curves is collecting food and coats to help supply the Dayton Food Bank and warm coats for people without. Dropoff at Curves in the Riverview Center on Douglas Street, Dayton.

• School Food Bank Drives: Area schools are holding drives for jelly, canned soups, hygiene items, mac and cheese, etc. to benefit the local food bank.

• Toy Drive Helpers Needed: Silver Springs and Stagecoach area toy drive in need of volunteers. Silver Stage Task Force, part of Healthy Communities Coalition, has partnered with Soul'd Out Ministries, Silver Springs Lion's Club, and Boys & Girls Club to raise funds and organize for a regional toy drive for the areas from Stagecoach to Silver Springs this year. The big fundraiser for the Silver Springs area toy drive is gift-wrapping work at Amazon, but volunteers are still desperately needed. All volunteers must be over age 18. The groups hope to raise most of the funds needed for the Toy Drive through two shifts of gift-wrapping work at Amazon on Sunday, Dec. 6, and Tuesday, Dec. 8, but they are in need of additional volunteers to help. On both days volunteers are needed to work 5-hour shifts during one of the following blocks of time: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p. m., 12:30-5:30 p.m., and 5:30-10:30 p.m. Anyone who wants to help with the fundraiser at Amazon or to volunteer during other parts of the toy drive, donate gifts or make monetary donations can contact Mary Boettcher at 246-0320.

• Dayton Valley Elves: Jack and Linda GordonThe couple are spearheading a new community project under the name Dayton Valley Elves, in cooperation with other individuals and groups such as Dayton Senior Center which has the "Santa for Seniors" project of collecting gifts for seniors in the Dayton to Silver Springs areas who would not otherwise have Christmas gifts. The group is also seeking donations for space heaters and firewood for seniors in need. Contact the couple at 721-3007 or call Barbara Fleet at 224-2259 for more information.