Giving Tree donates $6,700 to Mounted Posse

The Northern Nevada Giving Tree donated $6,700 to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Posse on Tuesday.

“We are so appreciative of their donations and support,” said Douglas County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse President Mo Parga. “This is going to help us a lot.”

Parga said the money will be used for safety equipment and some will be donated to the Veteran’s Transition Center.

“We already donated some of the money to the Carson Valley wrestling team in July,” said Parga.

The Mounted Posse was nominated to receive the money during the Northern Nevada’s Giving Tree’s quarterly event on July 18.

“They do so much good for the community and so many people in the community still don’t really even know about them,” said Toni Van Wrinkle.

Van Wrinkle said The Northern Nevada Giving Tree meets the second Thursday of the month each quarter of the year at the Carson Valley Inn and will help any 501 C3 nonprofits established in Douglas County. During meetings, members pitch a nonprofit to the group, add their monetary contribution and the group votes on which to serve.

“The Posse come each time, and they participate each time, all using their own money,” said Van Wrinkle. “So, not only do they use their own horses all the time, but they donate their time and money too in supporting other groups.”

The Mounted Posse is dedicated to community service through the use of horses, riders and non-riding personnel with the mission to increase safety of the community, enhance the image of law enforcement, demonstrate support of veterans, and support youth through scholarship opportunities. They often participate in ceremonial rides, parades, assist with crowd and traffic control, search and rescue assistance and more. 

Established in 2017, the Northern Nevada Giving Tree is a nonprofit and the brainchild of Ginger Easley and Toni Van Winkle, dedicated to raising and supporting other 501 C3 nonprofits in Douglas County.

Since its beginning, Northern Nevada Giving Tree has raised and donated to DAWG, Suicide Prevention, The Carson Valley Food Closet, ME for Incredible Youth, Austin’s House, The Carson Valley Arts Council, CVMC Hospital Foundation and more. They’ve helped many organizations stay afloat during the 2020 pandemic and helped families during the Tamarack and Caldor fires, said Easley.

“When people have a need we put it out there and whoever feels it on their heart, comes together and it’s such a wonderful community, everyone comes together,” said Van Wrinkle.