It was two years ago when Susan Sorenson, director of Northern Nevada Dream Center, was sitting at a roundtable talking to her colleagues about how they can make a difference during the holidays.
The major concern was how to create comfort for individuals that are living in hotels and in need.
“We have a huge heart for that,” she said. “They don’t have families and not a lot of food.”
Just from that conversation, Sorenson and other members of NNDC took action and arranged a Christmas feast for all, called Dream Christmas.
The charity event’s first year in 2015 was success but as for this year, the NNDC is expecting more.
The event is planning to serve at least 500 people with 140 volunteers to help, said Sorenson.
“We have buses picking up people from those hotels to bring them to the event,” she said. “We’re going to give them a desert bar with hot chocolate. We’re going to give them gift bags full of items they need. We’re going to give them an opportunity to see Santa.”
Volunteers include Minden’s Catering For Causes, which is catering at the event for free. Students of Carson High School also are helping out at the event, as a part of their senior projects.
“We want to make a home for them,” Sorenson said. “They deserve to connect with others during the meal and holidays.”
The NNDC established in 2010 and the non-profit organization is affiliated with the Capital Christian Church. Some of the organization’s priorities include visiting disadvantaged neighborhoods to deliver groceries and clothing in trucks. Recently, the organization concluded their Pie to the Rescue drive to support families during Thanksgiving. Local restaurants such as Adele’s, The Firkin & Fox, and LA Bakery bought pies for the cause.
Also every year, the NNDC holds a toiletry drive to donate items to the homeless. They also have a Dream outreach program for those in need and teach the basics of Microsoft programming.
There is no staff at the NNDC — it’s all volunteer based.
Although Dream Christmas is full on volunteers, Sorenson said the organization still could use donations of coats, food and monetary donations. So far, NNDC gathered 133 pairs of mittens for the event, thanks to the Carson City Stop & Shop association.
The Christmas Feast takes place Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. on 1600 Snyder Ave.
For more information, call Sorenson at 775-443-4090 or visit nndreamcenter.org.
