Project MANA - A Hunger Relief Agency

North Lake Tahoe Bonanza:   Collaboration is a mighty powerful process when applied with planning, purpose and passion for positive outcome. That is exactly what happened this year in the Parasol Holiday Giving Program. This program served 150 families, more than 342 children and 27 seniors who live below the federal poverty guidelines in our community. The richness and success of this program would not have been possible without the incredible collaboration between the following groups and individuals.
Coldwell Banker: For more than 25 years, Coldwell Banker has coordinated the Toys for Tots collection barrels around town and the Toys for Tots Kick-off community party in December. The entrance fee for the party is one new unwrapped toy. This year, as last, Cheryl Delehanty coordinated this successful program which produced over 600 new toys and $4500 in cash donations. The cash donations are used to buy warm coats and snow boots as well as toys for the 10-18 year old age group. Thank you to the many businesses which provided raffle prizes and food for this evening of holiday cheer.
Toys for Tots Barrel locations: Thank you to the following businesses that hosted barrels for Toys for Tots: Coldwell Banker main office and Starbucks, Recreation Center, Parasol Building, IVGID Southwood Office, Fire House at 866 Oriole, Village Market, old and new Elementary Schools, Wells Fargo, Grog and Grist. Thanks to Phil Horan and Andy Whyman for weathering a snowstorm day of barrel pick-up.
The Parasol Community Collaboration Social Services Team: Assisted with program planning, toy sorting and toy purchases.
Kathie Maxwell, Village Square Family Store: Kathie provided 20 percent off all purchases when a customer purchased a gift for Toys for Tots. We saw many red checkered Village Square bags come through the program, providing children with some of the highest-quality toys we have ever seen in the program.
Seasons: Donated a portion of their profits for teen gifts. Owner, Jonathan Nichols also donated time and materials to decorate the Chateau for the Coldwell Banker Toys for Tots Kick-off Party.
Shop with a Cop: The sheriffs department treated 20 of the children enrolled in the Holiday Giving Program to a $100 shopping spree. The Boys and Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe provided assistance with transportation.
Children’s Cabinet of Incline Village: Collaborated with school counselors in October to ensure all children had warm jackets and snow boots.
IVGID Senior Programs: Shelia Leijon and AmeriCorps Member, Shannon Skarritt, registered, coordinated, and shopped till the wee hours for the gifts given to make the lives of 27 seniors a little cheerier for the holidays. Ten-year-old community volunteer, Ben Synder assisted with translations and gift distribution.
IVGID Recreation Center: The Dec. 5 Community Tree Lighting showcased the musical talents of local schoolchildren and adults in the village. The Community Tree Lighting also provided a venue for the arrival on a fire engine of the jolly old man in red. This evening produced over 65 toys for Toys for Tots. Kari Ferguson and the staff of the award-winning Recreation Center headed this successful collaboration.
Incline Girl Scouts Troop: Served up hot chocolate at the Community Tree Lighting.
Incline Tahoe Forest Hospital Auxiliary: This gentle and kind army of pale blue-coated women staffed one entire distribution day as yet another contribution they make to our community.
AmeriCorps Volunteers: Helped sort and distribute toys along with community volunteers. They also helped with registration of families.
Dress the Part(y): Owner Linda Offerdahl added sparkle to our giving by donating a rack full of holiday clothing, from toddler velveteen to evening attire for teens. She also spearheaded the first ever Sip and Shop event at the Village Center on Dec.15. Thank you to all the businesses that helped raise funds for the Parasol Holiday Giving Program in this year’s first annual event.
Knitter’s Guild: Created over 80 hand-made garments with love and care for seniors and children.
North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce: Fueled the Shop Local and Spirit of Holiday Giving Merchant engagement program. Some of the merchants who participated were M Studio, Online Design, Austin’s Restaurant, Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau, Awareness Village, Natura Vital. Thank you all.
Incline High School: Several cheery high school volunteers created tiny packages of candy and hot chocolate as stocking stuffers. As instructed, they quality assured each bag of candy they opened!
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District: Provided transportation for “Santa” and is working to provide in-home flu shots for seniors.
The Senior Nutrition Collaboration: Project MANA and IVGID Senior Programs provided a complete Christmas meal for all seniors.
Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation: The foundation hosts the majority of the Holiday Giving Program activities, including use of the building for storage and distribution of toys and clothing; the website for online donations to Holiday Giving Program and the Holiday Wish List. Foundation staff, like Tim Anderson, building manager and Irma Lebard is instrumental in the smooth running of this program.
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza: Countless inches of news print to help promote the Holiday Giving program and local business.

Yes, Virginia, there really is a very generous Santa Claus spirit when collaboration takes place. If you have not made a difference to someone in our community this year, there is still time to go online and make a donation at www.parasol.org. Click on our Online Donation Center (top right box on the home page) and travel to the bottom of the page of donation categories. Over the next few months, we’ll be shopping, stretching your donated dollars in the sales for jackets and snow boots to ensure all children will have warm clothing next year too! You may also send a check to Parasol Holiday Giving Program, 948 Incline Way, Incline Village, NV 89451.

Submitted with sincere thanks to all who made this holiday merrier and brighter for those in our community by Lynn Berardo, development officer for Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation.