Carson City Holiday with a Hero 2016: Buy-in sought for homeless children Christmas campaign
A collaboration of agencies and organizations officially kicked off the 2016 Holiday with a Hero campaign on Wednesday with a goal of giving at least 200 homeless children in Carson City a Christmas experience by providing them gift cards to spend on themselves prior to the holiday.
Entering its 12th year, the holiday giving program is designed around the generosity of Carson City citizens, businesses and their donations that directly benefit local school children, said Carson City Sheriff's Office Sgt. Daniel Gonzales, who co-organizes the event with the Carson City School District, fire department and other city and state agencies.
Last year 237 students from kindergarten through fifth grade each received $100 gift cards for an organized shopping spree at Walmart. Through individual, business and corporate contributions, plus a holiday pub crawl held in downtown Carson City, the program raised nearly $24,000 last year. Organizers hope this year's fundraising effort will match or surpass last year's totals.
Getting the word out now with this year’s fundraising effort, organizers are extending the Holiday with a Hero invitation to all Carson City agencies, companies, small business owners by challenging department heads and managers to help in the effort by forming micro-fundraisers to generate the cash needed.
“These are Carson City kids who attend Carson City schools. This is our community and we’re asking for a buy-in from the entire community,” said Gonzales. “This is something that is here, happening now and there will always be a demand. We’re asking the community to help us meet our goals so we can reach these kids.”
If 40 local agencies, businesses and restaurants would set a $500 fundraising goal, and raise it through special drinks, dishes, bake sales, jeans days — that would cover 85 percent of what is needed, Gonzales said. Plans are in the works for a second fundraising pub crawl to be held sometime in December. A date will be announced soon.
The Holiday with a Hero project pairs children from kindergarten through 5th grade with law enforcement officers, firefighters, members of the U.S. military and public officials, school district and community volunteers. The event provides each child gift cards to shop for things they need such as clothing and shoes as well as a toy to call their own.
The students have been identified as part of the McKinney-Vento program through the Carson City School District. This program helps children who’s families are identified as homeless, living in shelters, motel rooms and not having permanent homes, said Peggy Sweetland, special projects coordinator and McKinney-Vento students in transition liaison for the Carson City School District.
The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.
For the second year, Carson City Fire Department has entered into the fundraising arm of the Holiday with a Hero campaign. CCFD Engineer Lance Caras notes firefighting is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week profession, where individual firefighters are on-duty to the community even when they’re off duty.
“Just as Carson City Sheriff’s Office responds to calls, we see the side of the community that others don’t see, and see some of the same kids when we are on some of the same calls,” said Caras. "This event is a way for us show our off-duty side, to come together, give and make this a great event.”
Other agencies involved in this year’s fundraising effort are Carson City courts, Nevada Highway Patrol, Nevada Parole and Probation, Department of Corrections, Department of Forestry, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and East Fork Fire Protection District.
Wednesday, Dec. 21 will be the giving day. Children will again be paired with volunteers who will lead them on the shopping spree. Santa Claus is brought to Walmart via Care Flight, where the children meet with him and then shop with volunteers using the gift cards. The children are encouraged to buy necessities plus they can use the card to buy a toy for themselves. Last year more than 300 people volunteered for the event.
The community is urged to bring their donations to the following locations between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Make checks payable to "Holiday With a Hero."
— The Carson City Sheriff’s Office administration building, 911 East Musser Street.
— Carson City Fire Department, Station 51, 777 South Stewart Street.
— The Carson City School District office, 1402 West King Street or send to PO Box 603, Carson City, 89702.
— Bank of the West, 2976 N Carson Street between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
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