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Holiday Crawl draws hundreds, raises money for program giving Carson City kids a Christmas

The Carson City community held its third annual Holiday Crawl Benefit 2017 on Saturday to raise money for the Holiday with a Hero campaign that gives local homeless children a chance to shop for themselves and family for Christmas. The downtown Carson City event was attended by more than 400 people, up about 100 from last year, organizers say.

The Holiday Crawl is a fundraising arm of the Holiday with a Hero project that 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 a gift card to shop for things they need such as clothing and shoes as well as a toy to call their own. See the Facebook page here for more information.

The Holiday With a Hero program is co-organized by Carson City Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Daniel Gonzales, Carson City School District, Carson City Courts, Department of Corrections, and local fire departments. The outreach of this program, however, goes far beyond the local participating agencies by engaging the entire community.

“The people of Carson City monetarily support giving these kids a Christmas. It’s heartwarming to know that I live in a community that believes and cares,” said Gonzales.

He made it clear that while the participation from public service agencies is vast and provides the vital foot power required, the focus is on the community and above all the homeless students in need.
“This is a community event, and the community always steps up,” he said.

Any Carson City agency, company, or small business is encouraged to help in the effort by forming micro-fundraiser events. Local clubs, groups, teams, etc.. can also join in by hosting a fundraising event. Hypothetically, 50 small fundraisers with a $500 goal could raise the $25,000 needed.

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 a gift card 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.

On Dec. 20, students will be paired with volunteers who will lead them on the shopping spree. Santa Claus will land at Walmart via Care Flight, where the children will meet with him and then shop using their gift card alongside a public service hero volunteer.

The community is urged to deliver 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."

Deliver your donation to one of the following locations
— 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 - Students In Transition, 604 West Musser Street
— Bank of the West, 2976 N Carson Street between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Mail checks to:
Carson City Sheriffs Office
C/O Holiday with a Hero
911 East Musser St.
Carson City, NV 89701

Businesses interested in supporting the Holiday Crawl event can e-mail holidaywithahero@gmail.com for more information.

Go here for a video from KOLO Channel 8.

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UPDATE 2:38 p.m.: Firefighters from Storey are also now responding.

UPDATE 2:33 p.m.: Multiple vehicles on the property are engulfed in flame.

***

Around 2:15 p.m. a fire was reported at 34 Newman Lane in Mound House.

Firefighters from Carson City and Lyon County are enroute to the scene.

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UPDATE 1:15 p.m.: Update 05-03-24 at 1:15 p.m.
One student has reported an alleged weapon sighting. It has not been corroborated, but school officials and the sheriff’s office are investigating out an abundance of caution.

***

UPDATE 12:50 p.m.: The following update was provided by the district:

Carson High School was put on lockdown this afternoon around 12:15 p.m. No person was injured. There is an active situation being investigated in cooperation with the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. We will provide more information as it becomes known. The school is secure. Do not go to the school. No entrances will be permitted at time. The district will provide updates every 30 minutes. Expect the next update at 1:15 p.m.

***

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