Minden Village holiday benefit is today

Minden Village businesses are hosting a holiday celebration of wagon rides, caroling, visits from Santa, food and drink from 3-7 p.m. today.

Borges Stables will give rides around the Minden Village complex with their decorated wagon pulled by a tractor.

Singers are welcome to join in Christmas caroling led by Monique Haviland, local singer and owner of Bodywise Physical Therapy Fitness. Haviland will be joined by Savannah Smith, daughter of Sweetie Pies owner Wendy Smith.

Santa Claus attends the holiday celebration with visits to Sierra Nevada Trading Co. throughout the month.

Complimentary holiday cookies, cider and other treats will be available at Artisans International Gallery, Bella Vita Wine and Cheese Shop, Cold Stone Creamery, Sierra Nevada Trading Co. and Sweetie Pies.

More goodies will be at 88 Cups hosted by AG Edwards, Business Bank, Charles Schwab, Syncon and Dawn and Pat King from Mediation and Management. Wasabi's Asian Bistro and Quizno's will also be open.

The Minden Village business owners have adopted Project Santa Claus and Carson Valley Community Food Closet as their causes for the holidays. A donation drive began Nov. 20 and runs through Sunday.

Drop off food, mittens, hats, warm shoes, paper goods, plastic-ware and new unwrapped toys during regular business hours at any of these locations: AG Edwards, Cold Stone Creamery, Business Bank, Charles Schwab, Douglas Disposal, Lake Tahoe Mortgage or Sierra Nevada Trading Co.

For every item donated to the food closet or Project Santa Claus, a discount or special offer coupon is given from one of these participating Minden Village businesses: 88 Cups, Alpine Medical, Artisans International Gallery, Bella Vita, Cold Stone Creamery, Quizno's, Sierra Nevada Trading Co. or Sweetie Pies. Other sponsors are Carson Valley Mortgage and First American Title.

Minden Village is at Highway 395 and Lucerne Street in Minden.