Sheriff's association collects 133 coats for kids in need

Representatives of the Douglas County Sheriff's Protective Association delivered 133 slightly used " but freshly laundered " coats Wednesday to the Tahoe Youth & Family Services center in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

Investigator Jeff Schemenauer, association president Deputy Nate Almeida and Deputy James Booth delivered the coats to the center for distribution to Valley and Lake residents.

"It took us two weeks to collect the coats from all Douglas County Sheriff's Office employees," Schemenauer said.

He and his wife Cindy and their 6-year-old daughter chipped in $37 in quarters to wash the coats at the laundromat.

Sizes range from infant to extra large.

Schemenauer said the coats will really be appreciated at the Lake.

"A lot of folks don't realize how harsh the climate can be at the Lake and they are ill-prepared," Schemenauer said. "We don't care where they're distributed as long as they go to someone in need."

The sheriff's association includes 87 deputies, investigators and sergeants.

Executive director Alissa Nourse said the agency had a good partnership with the sheriff's office. Cindy Schemenauer is the grant development coordinator for Tahoe Youth & Family Services.

"It's nice to be able to tell the kids the sheriff's deputies partner with us and got the coats," Nourse said.

She said the organization is always accepting donations to fill their wish list.

"We realize it might be hard these days to write a check, but people can always pick up an extra roll of toilet paper or paper towels and drop it by. Everything helps," she said.

The coat donation coincided with the organization's first anniversary of their Gardnerville Ranchos drop-in center.

"We've had more success than we ever imagined," Nourse said.

The center offers a safe place for children ages 10-18 to drop by.

"We average 15 kids a day," she said. "They come by for food or to just hang out."

The center, at 719 Tillman Lane, is open 2-8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 12-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Information, 782-4202.