Storey County residents have received more help this Christmas than ever before, according to Paula Scott of the Community Chest of Storey County.
The nonprofit community service organization sponsors an annual food drive and Angel Tree program, and Scott said the response was overwhelming.
"This year has been the best we ever had," she said. "We had the biggest turnout for the food drives."
Scott, the organization's youth activities director who ran the operation this year, said 92 families would receive food baskets that would include perishables such as milk, butter and eggs.
She credited cooperation from the Storey County Sheriff's Office, the Storey County Volunteer Fire Department and Virginia City's post office and donations from community members for the increase in donations.
In addition to the 92 food baskets, 42 children in the county will be receiving toys, and all 96 angels from the Angel Tree were adopted, Scott said.
"This is the first time we had all the angels adopted," she added.
Scott said the items will be distributed today at the Odd Fellows Hall, 15 North B St., in Virginia City.
The Chaplain's Corps of the Storey County Sheriff's Department helped out by donating $1,000 it collected to the Community Chest's effort.
Storey County Sheriff Jim Miller praised residents for their contributions.
"They did their part to make the sentiment of the season last," he said.
Donors as varied as the Old Bridge Ranch and Wild Horse Saloon and Spa, Storey County's two brothels, joined with the Silver Barons Motorcycle Club, Toys for Tots of Carson City, the Firehouse Barbecue, the shops at Zepha's Cove in Virginia City, the local gas station and the local Boy Scout troop to collect food and toys.
-- Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111 ext. 351.
You can help
For information on the Community Chest's Christmas food and toy drive, call (775) 847-9311.
