Douglas student could win $10,000 savings bond

Last spring, Jessica Reynolds and 17 other students at Carson Valley Middle School in Gardnerville submitted a public service announcement promoting teen seat belt use for the third annual "Fasten Your Seat belt ... Go Far!" contest.

Reynolds was named one of three finalists from more than 550 PSAs submitted. In Reynolds' short film, a teen driver who ignores a warning on seat belt use from her mother learns that her decision can have a life-changing impact, altering not only a friendship, but her own seat belt use as well. She is now a student at Douglas High School.

The contest purpose was to use positive peer pressure to convince teens to wear safety belts and reverse the trend of nearly 5,500 deaths of their age group each year.

Viewers are asked to vote for the PSA they consider most compelling at www.vw.com/seat belt through Friday. The winner will be announced Nov. 28.

All of the finalists will each receive a digital video camera, with the grand-prize winner receiving a $10,000 savings bond; the second-place winner receiving a $3,000 savings bond and the third-place winner, a $1,500 savings bonds. Teachers of the three finalists are receiving a $3,000 Apple G5 computer with flat screen monitor and Final Cut Pro Express software for classroom use and a $100 Scholastic gift certificate.

Family to Family Connection workshops slated

Family to Family Connection, at the Ron Wood Family Resource Center at 212 E. Winnie Lane, is offering two remaining courses throughout this month. They include "Setting Limits for the 6-12 month old," at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and "Learn Baby Sign," 10:30 a.m. Nov. 29. To register, call 884-2269.

Also, the center is having a fundraiser and selling Marie Callendar pies for Thanksgiving. The center needs to sell 1,500. Pie choices are apple, pumpkin or pecan. They cost $10, and will be available for pick up Tuesday. Pies must be ordered by noon today. Pie gift certificates are also available.

Gift basket sale Dec. 3

The Storey Senior Center, on Six Mile Canyon Road, is hosting a gift basket sale from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 3. The large gift baskets include themes of children's books and toys, cooking books and kitchen gadgets, classic literature and teas, and antiquarian books and gourmet coffees. For more information, call Quest Lakes at 847-0742.

National Donor Sabbath celebrated this month

National Donor Sabbath was celebrated this month by implementing activities to increase awareness of the critical need for organs and tissues and the miracle of transplantation.

This year was the 10th anniversary of National Donor Sabbath, a weekend when faith communities all over the nation observe this opportunity to discuss donation with their families.

Participation in National Donor Sabbath has increased each year, but more individuals must become aware of donation. People need to talk to their families and make their intentions known. There are almost 90,000 men, women and children in the United States who are in need of a lifesaving organ transplant. The need for organs still far exceeds the number donated.

"I would like to call on all Nevadans to please give careful thought to giving by becoming an organ and tissue donor," said Frankie Sue Del Papa, co-chairwoman for the Nevada Organ and Tissue Donation Task Force. "The decision you make today will help save lives tomorrow."

For more information, see www.donor-awareness.org/spirituality.html. For more information on organ donation and the Nevada Organ and Tissue Donation Task Force, go to www.giftoflife.nv.gov.