Lyon County Search and Rescue seeking safety vest donations

The Lyon County Sheriff's Search and Rescue is holding its second annual Project Life Vest: Save a Child's Life, and needs donations of new child-sized vests.

The project was formed in 2010 in hopes of preventing future drownings at Lake Lahontan following the 2009 drowning there of a 6-year-old boy during a holiday weekend. Lyon County Sheriff's Lt. Bryan Veil said search and rescue members wanted to be proactive and try and prevent that from happening again.

Lyon County Search and Rescue members started collecting new water safety vests and handed them out to children at Lake Lahontan over the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends last year. Nearly 400 life jackets were fitted and distributed.

The children who received a life jacket also were educated on water safety and the importance of wearing a water safety vest. Last year there were no drownings reported at the lake.

Once again this year at Lake Lahontan, Lyon County Search and Rescue members will hand out life vests during the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends to children up to age 13 who are in need of one. The Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nevada State Parks and U.S. Coast Guard also will be on-hand to help with the event.

Drop off locations for donations are at the Lyon County Sheriff's Office in Yerington, the Fernley substation, Dayton substation, Silver Springs substation and Nevada Uniforms located on Keystone Avenue, in Reno.

Additionally, a fundraiser is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday.

Search and rescue will be holding its second annual Family Bingo Night, at the Mason Valley Boys & Girls Club.

This event is the main fundraiser for Project Life Vest.

There are many prizes to be given away during the bingo, as well as raffle prizes.

The Lyon County 4-H Mentoring Program and Yerington Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization will be providing a concession stand for the event.

Guests who bring a new life vest to the Bingo Night will receive a free bingo card to use all night.

If you are unable to drop off a life vest, a search and rescue member can pick it up by calling either Lt. Bryan Veil at (775) 577-5096 or Patty Polish at (775) 848-0252.

Cash donations also can be made to go toward the purchase of life vests. Send a check or money order payable to Lyon County Search and Rescue, at P.O. 1932, Dayton, Nev., 89403.