With ongoing requests for children's Christmas gifts still being taken, the Toys For Tots program in Carson City was presented with generous gifts of cash and children's toys on behalf of the Capitol Police division of the Nevada Department of Public Safety and the Nevada State Law Enforcement Officers' Association.
For the past several weeks, officers and staff members from the Capitol Police division of the Nevada Department of Public Safety have been collecting new unwrapped toys, bicycles, and warm clothing in Carson City to assist the U.S. Marine Corps with their annual Toys for Tots collection drive effort.
All of the toys and bicycles and other items collected this season were officially presented to Toys for Tots and Marine Corp Staff Sgt. Nathan Gamboa at the Nevada State Capitol Lobby on Wednesday. They will be distributed to thousands of families in need throughout Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties.
With more than 100 drop off sites throughout the region and, locally, two weekends of commitment by the U.S. Marines at 3 Walmart stores in Carson City and Douglas County, thousands of toys and cash has been collected that will go to children this holiday season, said Joyce Buckingham, Toys for Tots coordinator and executive director of the Ron Wood Family Resource Center in Carson City.
"We couldn't have done it without the generous support and hard work from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, all the NHP troopers out there and the Nevada Law Enforcement Association, the Capitol Police and our Marines," said Buckingham. "There will be many families who will have a better Christmas this year because of your efforts."
While economic numbers continue to show improvement in Nevada, more families seem to be impacted this holiday season than during the recession years, said Buckingham. There's been great demand for not only toys but bicycles and clothing. For those who haven't given yet but wish to do so, there is a demand for items suited for children 10 to 17. Sporting goods are always in demand, as are art supplies and games.
Donations of new unwrapped items can be taken to the Ron Wood Family Resource Center, 2621 Northgate Lane, Carson City. Money donations are also appreciated and will go directly to the purchase of this year's Christmas gifts.