Reno, Nev. Nov. 1, 2023. As part of November being Adoption Awareness Month, the Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA) is calling on the community to help hundreds of Washoe County’s most vulnerable children in care for the upcoming holiday season.
KOLO TV, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), Target, and HSA are hosting the 2023 KOLO Cares Children in Care Stuff a Bus Drive-By Donation Drive on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. Staff will be collecting new, winter clothes from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. HSA will distribute the donations to foster and adoptive children at the HSA Family Engagement Center throughout the next several months.
The community is asked to drop-off donations at the RTC bus, in front of the Target in Sparks, which is located near Legends Mall, at 1550 East Lincoln Way. Brand new clothing items needed include: jackets, coats, gloves, socks, blankets sweatpants, boots, beanies, hooded sweatshirts, and gift cards.
“More than 600 children in care need help bundling up this fall and this is a great opportunity for Washoe County to embrace these children by giving them a new jacket, gloves or something warm to have before winter sets in,” said HSA Children’s Division Director Ryan Gustafson. “Many of these children have had a tough go in their lives and its amazing to see how a simple donation can make all the difference in a child’s mood. A simple gift truly does turn a frown upside down.”
Who: Target, RTC, KOLO TV, KOLO Cares and HSA.
What: Children in Care Stuff A Bus Drive-By Donation Drive.
When: Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: Target, located at 1550 E Lincoln Way Sparks, NV
Contact: Chris Ciarlo at Cciarlo@washoecounty.gov.
Media: Interviews and b-roll available throughout the day.
Have a Heart Foster Care Open House
In addition to the Children in Care Donation Drive, HSA is pleased to host a Foster Care Open House, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at the Family Engagement Center, located at 905 East Prater Way, in Sparks. The open house aims to inform and engage individuals, families, and community members of the vital and rewarding roles foster parents, adoptive parents, and mentors play for foster children in Washoe County. Whether you are considering opening your heart and home to a child, wish to provide guidance and support as a mentor, or have been curious about the process of becoming a foster parent, an adoptive parent, or a mentor, this event is designed to provide you with valuable information, resources and supports, and explore the many ways you can make a positive impact in the lives of children in need.
HSA is in dire need of foster and adoptive parents. To learn more about fostering or adopting, email HSA at haveaheartinfo@washoecounty.gov, or head to our website.
# # #
