EDITOR:
A very simple but heart felt thank you to all the kind and generous people of Douglas County who took Project Santa Claus kids to their hearts in this time of great economic difficulty. Christmas 2009 we helped 786 children from 345 Douglas County families. This couldn't have been possible without overwhelming community support.
Project Santa Claus is a totally volunteer, nonprofit organization that just completed its 20th year of helping Douglas County families of need. We include families cleared for need through Douglas County Social Services, Washoe Tribal Social Services, the Family Support Council, CASA and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
We thank all that sponsored an angel off an Angel Tree, the groups, churches, clubs, businesses and individuals that sponsored kids and also bought new toys, games, new books, mittens and caps. Thank you to those who donated funds so that we could shop for the final kids that were signed up.
Thank you to all came out to the fairgrounds to help with wrapping, sorting, bagging and other tasks. Thank you to those who donated used bikes that were refurbished and to those who donated new bikes and bike helmets. We gave out about 168 bikes to very happy kids. Thank you to those who donated used winter clothing during the fall and to the gals who sorted those clothes and set up a "shop" at the fairgrounds where our families could take the warm clothes they needed.
Sometimes simple is the best way, so again we say simply "thank you" to all the wonderful people of Douglas County for their help during this Christmas season. We wish each of you a peaceful and happy New Year.
Marilyn Malkmus
Project Santa Claus
