Sparks police and fire departments come together for Holiday with a Hero event
Last Wednesday, December 8, volunteers from the Sparks Fire and Sparks Police departments gave local kids a Christmas to remember by treating them to a shopping spree at Target at the Legends Outlet in Sparks as part of its annual Holiday with a Hero event. Thanks to the Nugget Casino Resort, Sparks Fire, and Sparks Police Association, 60 kids in the foster care system identified through Washoe County Social Services were each given $100 to buy their own Christmas presents.
Sparks Police, Sparks Fire and other officials came together last week for the Holiday with a Hero event that benefits local children in Washoe County.
Many kids wanted to use the money to buy gifts for their loved ones, but ended up finding clothing, toys, books, shoes, and other items that help make their own holiday a bit more comfortable and happier.
“One little girl- four or five years old maybe- picked out a beautiful red sparkly party dress and was so excited,” says City of Sparks Community Relations Manager Julie Duewel, adding that the Lego section was also a big hit in Target.
“It’s such a great event because the kids get $100 each to spend on themselves and Sparks Fire and Police love to volunteer and see the smiles on kids’ faces,” she adds.
The Nugget donated $2,000 on behalf of the Sparks Fire department and another $2,000 on behalf of Sparks Police, and the Sparks Firefighters Local Chapter 1265 and Sparks Police Association contributed another $1,000 each to bring the total to $6,000 to distribute to local children in need. On top of that, Target covered all the tax on purchases made during the event.
Recently, the William N. Pennington Foundation also gave a $145,000 grant to the Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA) to treat 700 kids in the greater Washoe County area to shopping sprees on select days in December. This holiday money was part of a $326,250 grant given to HSA earlier in the year to also help kids in need with clothing and school supplies. This additional money makes this holiday a little bit more special to Sparks/Washoe County kids.
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