Group offers big donation to motivate others to give

A Carson City business Thursday made a donation to the "Holiday with a Hero" program in the hopes that they can kick-start the fundraising effort.

Sharon Swanson, owner of Nevada Premier Properties, through her group "Circle of Friendship" presented detectives Daniel Gonzales, Dena Lacy and Carson City courts judicial management assistant Wendy Sachs with a $1,000 check to help fund a Christmas shopping spree for 160 children in Carson City who are in need.

"We hope this will inspire other businesses to help out, too," said Swanson.

She said she decided a year ago to start up "Circle of Friendship" to collect items and raise money through rummage sales for local charities. Among their other beneficiaries have been Food For Thought, FISH and Carson Cancer Advocates.

"It's exciting that a company would come forward to kick off the event with such a large donation. That will help us to serve 10 kids," said Gonzales.

Formerly called Christmas with a Cop, Holiday with a Hero is a shopping spree for Carson City children identified by the school district as living in motels, campgrounds or with other families. The event takes place Dec. 16.

While in previous years the program reached out to children in elementary and middle school, the need this year is so great, the maximum of 160 children is being met by the elementary school students alone.

The goal, said Lacy, is to raise enough money to give each child a $100 shopping spree at Walmart. The children are escorted by a Hero volunteer, Walmart waives the sales tax and lunch is provided. Volunteers also wrap the items the children buy so they can put them under their Christmas trees at home. Some years, the children have used the gift card to buy a Christmas tree.

All cash donations can be dropped off or mailed to the Carson City Sheriff's Office, 911 E. Musser St., Carson City, 89701. Write "Holiday with a Hero" in the memo field.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Lacy at 887-2020 ext. 41405 or Detective Daniel Gonzales at ext. 41407.