Barbara Watson sorts presents at the Douglas County
Fairgrounds for Project Santa Claus on Friday.
Fairgrounds for Project Santa Claus on Friday.
Thousands of bags and boxes wrapped in Christmas-themed paper covered the fairgrounds pavilion floor Friday as more unwrapped presents continued to arrive.
Project Santa Claus volunteers were in full swing preparing the gifts for 350 families and more than 800 children. As of Thursday, all but 15 children had been adopted through the Angel Trees, and shoppers will buy for them using donations.
“Distribution day is very rewarding to see the expression on people's faces that get the gifts,” said Kiwanis President Gary Dove. “On the other hand though, it is very sad that due to the economic times they have to be here.”
The Kiwanis Club of Carson Valley collected used and new bicycles all year for distribution. They were able to give away 170 bicycles and helmets this year.
Minden Rotary member Peggy Frick smiled as she put the last touches of a curly red ribbon around one of her presents.
“I get satisfaction that the kids get presents to open. I am a definite Christmas person,” she said.
Frick estimated she would wrap about 100 gifts before day's end Friday.
For fellow Minden Rotary member Fred Wolin, wrapping jackets without boxes gave him the biggest fits.
“There's no shape to it. Trying to hold it all together you need three hands,” he said.
But, despite wrestling with unruly outerwear, he enjoyed being a part of it all.
“I enjoy giving back to the community, and I like to see children have a nice Christmas.”
Dave Bauer was in charge of ensuring the names on the gifts matched the Angel Tree tags. He was also responsible for organizing the unwrapped gifts by age and gender.
“The hardest part when you're 67 is what does a boy who's 8 want, because what I wanted when I was 8 is different. It forces us older folks to think younger,” he said.
Bauer travels a lot for work, but always takes two weeks off to devote to Project Santa Claus.
“I wish the families that were bringing these things in could see the unbelievable display of their generosity,” he added waving his hand over the rows of presents on the floor.
Since 1988, when Project Santa Claus began, 15,800 Douglas County children have been given a gift for Christmas.
Volunteers have until Tuesday to get all the gifts ready for distribution on Thursday, and more help is always needed.
For more information call Dave Nelson, 790-3502.
Project Santa Claus volunteers were in full swing preparing the gifts for 350 families and more than 800 children. As of Thursday, all but 15 children had been adopted through the Angel Trees, and shoppers will buy for them using donations.
“Distribution day is very rewarding to see the expression on people's faces that get the gifts,” said Kiwanis President Gary Dove. “On the other hand though, it is very sad that due to the economic times they have to be here.”
The Kiwanis Club of Carson Valley collected used and new bicycles all year for distribution. They were able to give away 170 bicycles and helmets this year.
Minden Rotary member Peggy Frick smiled as she put the last touches of a curly red ribbon around one of her presents.
“I get satisfaction that the kids get presents to open. I am a definite Christmas person,” she said.
Frick estimated she would wrap about 100 gifts before day's end Friday.
For fellow Minden Rotary member Fred Wolin, wrapping jackets without boxes gave him the biggest fits.
“There's no shape to it. Trying to hold it all together you need three hands,” he said.
But, despite wrestling with unruly outerwear, he enjoyed being a part of it all.
“I enjoy giving back to the community, and I like to see children have a nice Christmas.”
Dave Bauer was in charge of ensuring the names on the gifts matched the Angel Tree tags. He was also responsible for organizing the unwrapped gifts by age and gender.
“The hardest part when you're 67 is what does a boy who's 8 want, because what I wanted when I was 8 is different. It forces us older folks to think younger,” he said.
Bauer travels a lot for work, but always takes two weeks off to devote to Project Santa Claus.
“I wish the families that were bringing these things in could see the unbelievable display of their generosity,” he added waving his hand over the rows of presents on the floor.
Since 1988, when Project Santa Claus began, 15,800 Douglas County children have been given a gift for Christmas.
Volunteers have until Tuesday to get all the gifts ready for distribution on Thursday, and more help is always needed.
For more information call Dave Nelson, 790-3502.
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