Holiday cheer isn’t just something invented by greeting card companies. We’re into the time of year that the nights get longer and darker, right on up ‘til the Winter Solstice, and a little extra effort to be nice and brighten someone’s day can go a long way. And given the sort of year we’ve had, it’s more important than ever to come together as a community and help all of our members make it through. So if you’re looking for an event or activity that offers a chance to share good spirits, here are a few you might consider. Photo at left: Pixabay, Jill Wellington.
Prestige Care at the Carson Tahoe Care Center invites people to send a note, a card, drawings and such to help bring some seasonal joy to the residents on Mountain Street in Carson City. There are a few guidelines to follow to make sure your message has the most impact, and they include making the notes handwritten, the words large enough to be easy to read and the message positive and heartfelt. They suggest that if you send children’s artwork along that you consider having their signature and age at the bottom of the drawing. And they also ask that you not date your cards or letters, because everything that comes in will be thoroughly screened and disinfected for the health and safety of the residents and that can take a few days. Items can be sent to Carson Tahoe Care Center at 1001 Mountain Street, Carson City, NV 89703, or if you prefer to drop them off in person, you can call the facility and someone will meet you at the door for pick up. Photo at right: Pixabay, Sabine van Erp.
And a little farther south in Gardnerville, the Carson Valley Senior Living and Memory Care Facility has a roster of residents who are interested in being pen pals and sharing letters with people. Check out their Facebook Page for a list of participating folk and the mailing address of the facility.
At the Carson City Senior Citizens Center, the Meals on Wheels program is a big part of the services they offer for the community, and this season is a great time to help support the cause. One way to do so is if you happen to be in the market for a new vehicle. Through January 4, every new Subaru that is bought or leased results in a cash donation, and Meals on Wheels is one of the national participating charities in the event. Of course, you don’t have to buy a new car in order to help out; direct donations to Meals on Wheels can be made on the website. The Carson City Senior Center is also partnered up with See’s Candies, so if a collection of classic chocolates is on your gift list this year, you can purchase it online and also help support local seniors. But don’t dilly-dally, because the candy ordering period closes on December 4. Photo at left: Pixabay, Zuza79.
And speaking of food, the Carson Valley Community Food Closet helps provide food to more than 400 local residents monthly and can always use a hand, whether it’s financial assistance, food donations or volunteer support. You can visit their website to find information to donate funds, whether online or by mail, as well as a list of the types of food donations that will have the most beneficial impact and a volunteer form. Their turkey trot for this season is wrapped up, but the next event on the Food Closet’s calendar is the Share Your Christmas Drive-by Food Drive. All day long on Friday, December 11, you can go to the Carson Valley Inn and drop off a financial donation or a non-perishable food item, and you don’t even have to get out of the car, volunteers will unload for you. Photo at right: Facebook, Carson Valley Community Food Closet.
Spread the word and just remember, we’re all in this together.
About the Author Keith Rugg
R. Keith Rugg has worked on staff for a number of local publications, including Lake Tahoe Action Magazine, the Tahoe Daily Tribune and the Reno Gazette-Journal.
