Project Santa makes sure every child has a present under the tree

Hundreds of parents stood in a snowstorm on Thursday morning at the Douglas County Fairgrounds waiting to pick up presents for their children.

"My kids wouldn't have any presents under the tree if it weren't for Project Santa Claus," said a Gardnerville mother of three.

Another Gardnerville mother said she felt looked down upon because she couldn't afford presents for her kids.

"The thought of my children waking up without anything under the tree is just heartbreaking," she said. "This is a gift from God."

A mother from Indian Hills said Douglas County was one place where people took care of each other.

"The gifts are excellent," she said. "Whoever puts it together pours their hearts and souls into it. They help parents who can't afford what their kids deserve."

About 25 volunteers were busy inside the fairgrounds building sorting gift bags, clothes and more than 180 bicycles. Residents of Rite of Passage and China Spring and Aurora Pines Youth Camp were among the volunteers.

"These kids volunteering have had a rough time themselves, but now they can have the experience of giving," said Marilyn Malkmus, director of Project Santa Claus for the last 15 years. "I think 86 bikes came from China Spring and Aurora Pines with the help of the Kiwanis Club."

Malkmus said that other donations came from churches, businesses and schools.

"It's difficult to ask for help. Some people are embarrassed to be here," she said. "But this is how the world should work: everyone doing whatever they can to help others."

Malkmus said that 297 families with more than 600 children qualified for the program. She said that besides bikes, children would be receiving books, blankets, mittens, hats and other toys parents requested.

"This year it's anything to do with Spider-Man and those BRATZ dolls," she said. "There were only six requests for Barbies. I guess she's on her way out."

Families filled the fairgrounds building. Residents from China Spring, all wearing Santa hats, helped transport bikes through the snowy weather. Other volunteers helped parents select warm clothes for the season.

Volunteer Gary Dove said Project Santa Claus was a year-long ordeal and couldn't happen without the dedication of Malkmus and Sandy Deyo, manager of the bicycle donations.

"I've been doing this since 1994, and it's the greatest thing in the world," said Deyo. "I'm only sorry that some of the people who donated can't be here to see the smiles on these kids' faces. To see their grins is worth 15 Christmases."

Deyo walked over to the front of line to help with a bicycle order.

"Look at this stuff," he said with a sweep of his arm. "This is what this Valley does."