Organizers of Holiday with a Hero say they’re far behind with donations
Fundraising efforts continue to lag for this year’s Carson City Holiday with a Hero, organizers say. In its 10th year, the project pairs Carson City school children with law enforcement officers, firefighters, members of the U.S. military and public officials. The event provides each child with gift cards to shop for things they need such as clothing and shoes as well as a toy to call their own.
The hope is to reach out more than 200 school children from kindergarten through the fifth grade in Carson City who have been identified as being in critical need, said Sgt. Daniel Gonzales who founded the event with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. In order to do that, the program must raise at least $20,000. Thus far, $6,200 has been raised and the clock is ticking.
Because donations have been a struggle, the hope of reaching out to between 300 to 400 kids had to be scaled back to 200, said Gonzales. Last year the program, which also had to be scaled back due to lagging donations, helped 168 local children.
“What we continue to stress is this is a fundraiser that goes directly to the children in our community,” said Gonzales. “These are our kids.”
Through the Carson City School District Students in Transition program, organizers have identified children in the community who are categorized as without permanent homes, living in cars, garages, weekly motel rooms and small residences where there are many families living.
Organizers are hoping to raise enough money to provide $100 gift cards to more than 200 children. The students will be paired with a community “hero” — first responders, military and medical professionals along with representatives from other state and local agencies — for a shopping trip to Walmart.
“It’s about helping those who can’t help themselves,” said Peggy Sweetland, director of the Students in Transition program. “Without Holiday with a Hero, these kids won’t get anything.”
Drop off donations at the following locations:
Carson City Sheriff’s Office, 911 E. Musser St.
Students in Transition building, 604 W. Musser St., building 2
Bank of the West, 2976 N. Carson St.
Carson City Visitors Bureau, 716 N. Carson St.
Grandma Hattie’s Restaurant, 2811 S. Carson St.
Graphics Factory, 1442 E. William St. #1
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