A miracle on Carson Street

By the time the last family leaves the Toys for Tots warehouse each day, the warehouse is usually bare.

"Last week, we were running out every day," said Director Joyce Buckingham. "We were scraping to get by."

Buckingham said the miracle is that new donations continue to come in to provide Christmas presents for Carson City's children in need.

"We have had an outpouring of support," she said.

Last weekend's drive hosted by Marines at the two local Walmarts was a success, she said, and on Tuesday she received a $2,000 donation from the Builder's Association of Western Nevada.

Mark Turner, president of BAWN, said the organization was spurred to action after reading a newspaper article about the need for toys.

"Our organization has gone through a lot of changes this year," he said. "So it was a good year to look at the community as a whole and see what BAWN could do to provide something for those in need this Christmas season."

The association also donated $1,000 to Friends in Service Helping.

FISH Director Jim Peckham said the money helps critical programs.

"We have people in four counties coming to us for clothing, food, furniture, medical services," he said. "Whatever resources we have, we take care of them."

Buckingham said the monetary contributions are crucial to make sure all children are served because most donations are aimed at ages 4-10, leaving out toddlers and teens.

"That's huge," she said. "That enables me to go down and putty in those holes as needed."

Buckingham said other businesses have made substantial contributions as well. Walmart donated toys and services, while Dick Campagni donated the use of the old Subaru dealership for warehouse space.

Others have been creative, like Capital City Loans that offered incentives for customers to donate unwrapped toys to the program.

Although she is grateful for the support of businesses, Buckingham said she's equally appreciative to the individual donors.

"One lady turned in her coins for just a few dollars," she said. "What people can afford, they give."

The hotline for those is need expired Tuesday, but Buckingham will continue to help anyone who missed the deadline through the Ron Wood Family Resource Center.

Donations to the program will also continue to be accepted at 65 locations throughout Carson City.

"This is such a loving community," Buckingham said. "As soon as we indicate the need, they're there. We're lucky to live here."