Holiday toy drives in full-swing around Nye County
As Christmas Day is less than three weeks away, several local groups and agencies are now in their annual fund and toy raising postures.
One such group is the Pahrump Disability Outreach Program, also known as “PDOP,” described as a small non-profit organization dedicated to the support of children with disabilities and their families.
PDOP also concentrates on educating the community regarding various childhood disabilities.
As of late, the organization’s focus is on making Christmas 2017 a memorable one for all area youngsters.
Co-founder Stephanie Lopez stood fast at the entrance of Walmart on Saturday, collecting any and all new, packaged toys destined for the less fortunate children in the valley.
“This is the Positive Pahrump, Pahrump Disability Outreach Program and the Nye County Sheriff’s Office Toy Drive,” Lopez said. “This is our eighth annual toy drive and it’s been going great so far. We did a toy drive collection at the elementary schools last week, where we collected two truckloads. I have only been out here for just one hour and I’ve managed to collect a cart full of toys. We’re doing very well so far.”
Lopez also said a similar event was hosted on Saturday for residents in Beatty, where deputies collected toys and clothing at the Family Dollar retailer.
Those toys will be delivered to the Happy Burro business in Beatty on Dec. 9, from 1 to 3 p.m.
In Pahrump, the toys will be distributed from the NyE Communities Coalition Campus at 1020 E. Wilson Road from 8 a.m to 1 p.m, on Saturday, Dec. 16.
Additionally, Lopez said a similar event is planned for the community of Tonopah coming up this weekend, as the organization will collect toys at the Family Dollar store located at 1301 Erie Street on Saturday, Dec. 9, for the “Fill the Cruiser” event, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
The Salvation Army will be distributing the toys in the Tonopah community.
Toys can also be dropped off at the Nye County Sheriff’s Office at 101 Radar Road.
“These toy drives are on a first-come, first-serve basis for anyone who needs assistance,” Lopez said. “We do ask that people not ‘double-dip,’ so we can make sure that these children in the county can receive a gift.
“It’s a toy drive, but we also accept items like books or any other kind of educational items.”
Lopez said the Pahrump Disability Outreach Program was founded roughly eight years ago at a time when there were no local groups providing important information or resources in the community for parents of children with disabilities.
The toy drive, Lopez noted, came about several years ago, following a conversation with her own two children.
“My two boys came one day and they were talking about their friends, who didn’t even have basic necessities like a decent pair of shoes and socks,” she recalled. “We started this with the hope of allowing the less fortunate kids in the valley to have a memorable Christmas Day.”
For additional information on the PDOP/NCSO Christmas Toy Drive program, call 702-516-0847, or 775-751-4234.
Email donations can be made at toydrive@pdop.info
All donations are tax deductible.
Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes
