Fallon brings Christmas joy every year

Many individuals and organizations in Churchill County stepped up this year to make the holidays a better occasion for many county residents.

Beginning with the Thanksgiving festivities, the Christian Life Center should be commended for its annual Thanksgiving meal that drew about 900 people to the convention center. Likewise, the American Legion Post 16 and its many volunteers from the community and Naval Air Station Fallon packaged and delivered 110 meals. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas, the American Legion helps the Churchill County Senior Center in delivering Meals on Wheels. Afterward, the American Legion provided meals to anyone from the community.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1002 had an afternoon Thanksgiving day dinner as did the Fallon Elks Lodge. They opened their doors for anyone in the community who needed a warm meal.

The city of Fallon always kicks off the Christmas season with the annual tree lighting on Maine Street and open house at both City Hall and the Douglass House. A tradition since 1929, the tree lighting gives families an opportunity to come downtown, watch the lighting and allow the children to sit on Santa’s lap and give him their wish list.

Organizations such as the Masonic Lodge hand out free cocoa and cookies.

Numerous craft fairs sold both convention and unique items with proceeds earmarked for community activities or scholarships.

The city sponsored its annual Comstock Cowboys Christmas show with proceeds going to the Mayor’s Youth Fund.

Fallon can also be proud of the community endeavor to collect and distribute toys for families. Many children receiving toys come from one-parent families.

The annual Iron Order Motorcycle Club Kids Fallon Toy Run with help from the American Legion Post 16 collected many toys to help the U.S. Marine Coprps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Businesses assisted by displaying special boxes for people to drop off toys. The toy donations were presented to the Marine Corps League High Desert Detachment for Toys for Tots and cash donations to the Fallon Youth Club.

The Churchill County Social Services and the Independent Telephone Pioneer Association 3101 Churchill County worked with Wishing Tree to ensure every needy child received toys.

The Salvation Army’s group of volunteers also got into the holiday spirit as did the Nevada Highway Patrol with its Cram the Cruiser event to help senior citizens.

For each vehicle sold, Fallon Auto Mall donated $50 toward one of 14 organizations on its list. Fallon Auto Mall generated more than $40,000 in local donations.

If we forgot anyone, please email us at news@lahontanvalleynews.com, and we’ll mention you in our next editorial.