More than 160 Carson City elementary school children, many identified as homeless, living in shelters or with parents and family members in motel rooms, were treated as the heroes they are early Tuesday morning.
With a loud chant of "Santa" the jolly bearded man in the red suit arrived at the parking lot of Walmart on Market Street by way of a CareFlight air ambulance to deliver tidings of great joy to 168 Carson City school children by giving them a chance to shop for themselves and meet up with adults they can now consider trusted friends.
The 9th annual Holiday with a Hero project pairs children with law enforcement officers, firefighters, members of the U.S. military and public officials. The event provided each child $90 gift cards to shop for things they need such as clothing and shoes as well as a toy to call their own. Money was collected in the Carson City community through various fundraisers held during the year.
Organizers said this year's fundraisers netted about $14,000, far less than the $20,000 goal they had hoped for, but the project isn't so much about money, but about the spirit of Christmas and giving.
"This wouldn't work without everyone pitching in to help," said Carson City Sgt. Daniel Gonzales, who coordinates the project. "Holiday with a Hero is about building partnerships. Partnerships with the kids, the schools, among law enforcement, firemen, the military. This is about doing what's good and right for children in the community."