Share the spirit of the holidays

'Tis the season for gratitude and for giving. There are many ways in which you can spread some holiday cheer in our community.

Project Santa Claus

Project Santa Claus has their Angel Trees posted throughout the valley. You can help make a child's Christmas merry and bright by selecting an angel from one of the trees and returning the wrapped gift to the same location by Dec. 15.

Gardnerville Angel Tree locations are Carson Valley Medical Center, Raley's, Scolari's, Sharkey's Topaz Lodge and Casino and Wells Fargo Bank. Minden Angel Tree locations are: Bently Biofuels Outpost, Designing with Nature, Rite of Passage, Taylor-York Salon, Tumblewind and World Gym.

As part of Project Santa Claus, Carson Valley Medical Center is hosting a youth bike helmet drive through Dec. 13. New helmets for toddlers up to teenagers may be dropped off at 1107 Highway 395 in Gardnerville.

Volunteers are needed to help assemble, wrap and sort gifts. Older children and adults can simply show up at the Douglas County Fairgrounds pavilion building Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 15-18. Workdays will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and the building is heated. There is no need to bring anything; duties will be assigned once you arrive.

For information, contact Marilyn Malkmus at 782-4931.

Carson Valley Community Food Closet

Our local food closet needs donations of turkeys and holiday food items in time for Christmas. Donations may be dropped off from 12:30-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 1255 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville. Food closet clients will receive holiday food on Dec. 21.

DAWG gifts

The Douglas Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) has a gift tree set up at Max's Pet Supplies in order to supply shelter animals with items such as kibble, leashes and toys. Tax-deductible monetary gifts are also welcomed and go toward spay and neuter fees, medical emergencies, health problems, training and special diets.

Donations are being accepted Monday through Friday until Dec. 20. For more information, to www.dawgrescue.com or stop by Max's Pet Supplies in the Raley's shopping center in Gardnerville.

It's easy to get lost in busy-ness this time of year. Be kind to yourself by doing something that makes your heart happy: treat yourself to a seasonal coffee or tea, read a holiday story to a child, take a drive around town and look at all the beautiful light displays, sit near a fire and enjoy the warmth and crackle. There is magic all around us.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com