Douglas leadership students spreading Christmas spirit

Douglas High leadership students spent last Wednesday morning driving around Carson Valley delivering gift bags to seniors.

"This is my first year teaching leadership," said Douglas English teacher Karen Lamb. "This is the greatest group of students. They're so dedicated."

The class teamed up with the Douglas County Senior Center for the project.

"Lots of people made donations for the gift bags," said president of the senior center's Young at Heart Club Paul Lockwood. "Carson Valley Inn, Scottsdale Plumbing, Wal-Mart and the Douglas TRIAD all donated. The bags have Christmas ornaments, candy, socks, scarves, gloves and hats."

Lockwood thanked students as they climbed aboard two Douglas Area Rural Transit vans laden with gift bags. One van went to the Gardnerville Ranchos, and the other headed for downtown Gardnerville and Minden.

"We had 94 gift bags and donated half of them yesterday in north county and Topaz," said Lockwood. "The students are going to do the rest today."

The Gardnerville/Minden team first stopped at a home near Gardner Park.

"Golly," said Frances Anker as Douglas students Kyle Heidt and Alyssa Todd delivered her gifts. "This is a surprise."

Ninety-eight-year-old Bea Jones of Minden, who was one of the first settlers of the Mottsville area, expressed similar joy.

"You are so nice," she told students. "I went to Douglas High School when it was in what's now the museum."

Albert Cogozzo of Chichester Estates was asleep when students arrived at his house.

His daughter-in-law Brenda Padovano took the bag for him.

"What a wonderful job you all do," she said. "I know your parents are proud of you."

Senior Raechel Prosser and junior Tara Paiement delivered bags in Kingslane in Gardnerville.

"It makes their day," said Paiement. "We love it."

Dave Payne, another Kingslane resident, said he appreciated what the students were doing.

"What a wonderful thing to do for older people," he said.

After leaving one house, Lamb flashed a big smile towards her students.

"There's nothing like the joy of Christmas."