Angel trees sprout up for holidays

Staff Reports

Sponsor a child in need for Christmas by picking an angel from one of the Project Santa Claus Angel Trees in Carson Valley businesses. The angels include information about a child and one gift request. Wrapped gifts should be returned to Angel Tree locations by Dec. 16 to be distributed to families a few days before Christmas.

Angel Trees are located in Minden at Taylor-York Salon, 1625 Highway 395; Tumblewind, 1600 Esmeralda Avenue and Bently Biofuels, 1350 Buckeye Road, and in Gardnerville at Sharkey's Casino, Raley's, Scolari's, R & T Cleaners at 1389 Lampe Drive and Carson Valley Medical Center at 1107 Highway 395, and at the Topaz Lodge, 1979 Highway 395.

In 2008, 811 children were sponsored by Douglas County residents with about 900 children expected this year due to the difficult economic time, according to Project Santa Claus Director Marilyn Malkmus. Project Santa Claus provides the children for the Angel Trees from families of need in Douglas County.

Project Santa Claus benefits children of Carson Valley Community Food Closet families approved by Douglas County and Washoe Tribal social service departments, children of Family Support Council families approved by their case workers, children in the Court Appointed Special Advocate program of Douglas County approved by their caseworkers and with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Project Santa Claus is not affiliated with Toys for Tots.

Contributions are tax deductible as Project Santa Claus is an IRS 501 (c)(3) organization, tax ID No. 88-0258742. Monetary donations may be mailed to Project Santa Claus, P. O. Box 3031, Gardnerville, NV. 89410.

Information, Marilyn Malkmus, 782-4931.