The Year of Giving in Carson Valley

by Sharlene Irete

People Editor

In just about every edition of The Record-Courier, you'll find a photograph of some smiling people holding a big check, standing in front of a pickup loaded with food or holding up some items being donated to a good cause. There are weekly letters to the editor thanking others for their help.

Carson Valley residents have always seemed to be generous but surpassed themselves in 2008. And not just during the holidays.

During the year, Valley residents have come to the rescue of families hit by hard economic times and personal tragedies such as car accidents and house fires.

People gave money, food, toys and clothing. Some donated blood, kidneys and and even their hair. Groups have rallied to find homes for rescued horses, stray dogs and abandoned cats.

The fun things we do here in the Valley are made possible by people's generosity: the summer concerts and other events in the parks, the free lecture series at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, year-long library events, to name a few.

Service clubs have creative ways to raise money to give back to the community. We enjoy turkey bingo, ham bingo, chili feeds, wine tasting, car shows and art shows while making it possible for the service clubs and scouts to create grants and scholarships.

The Carson Valley Community Food Closet called on the community to help an ever-growing clientele and the community rose to the occasion. The annual KTVN Channel 2 News annual Share Your Holiday food drive broke the previous record for the amount of food and monetary donations made to the food closet.

In these times of having to face government bail-outs of Wall Street and the automotive industry, Carson Valley residents remember to take care of their friends and neighbors.

Pat yourselves on the back.