Cramming the Cruiser on Wednesday in front of Walmart are, from left, Jim Saling, fire department; Jamie Lee, Churchill County Senior Center; Nevada Highway Patrol Troopers Trent Barnes, Tony Bake, Mark Fox and James Farmer; and Ralph Hamman, chief, fire department.
Nevada Highway Patrol troopers with help from the Fallon / Churchill Volunteer Fire Department filled the cruisers on Wednesday for Churchill County seniors Wednesday.
Troopers from the Fallon/Fernley District Office gathered in front of Walmart and within two hours of beginning their second annual Cram the Cruiser campaign, shoppers had donated enough items to fill almost two vehicles.
“Everything we collect goes to seniors and stays here in Fallon,” said Trooper Trent Barnes. “It is still amazing how many people donate. They are very supportive.”
Barnes said troopers in the Fallon and Fernley area wanted to assist senior citizens during the holidays because the elderly are sometimes forgotten.
Jamie Lee, director of the Churchill County Senior Center, said the help has been overwhelming.
“They collect and then help deliver the donations,” Lee said of the NHP.
Lee said the senior population of Churchill County continues to grow, as evidenced by the increased number of dinners delivered by the Meals on Wheels program. With the Cram the Cruiser campaign, Lee said seniors are receiving practical items that are needed on a daily basis. Each senior, said Lee, filled out a wish list of needed items. Lee said the donations make a big difference in many senior citizens’ lives.