Thanksgiving and Christmas programs assist residents during season

A dozen people stand in line outside HELP of Southern Nevada, 1640 E. Flamingo Road, at 8 a.m. one day just a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving. They're a small fraction of the thousands who are seeking assistance from the non profit organization this holiday season.

HELP offers three programs -- Turkey-a-Thon, a toy drive and Adopt-a-Family -- in November and December to assist more than 1,200 families for Thanksgiving and 17,000 children for Christmas throughout the Las Vegas Valley.

Abby Quinn, manager of community outreach for HELP, said the loyalty of donors and volunteers is what keeps these programs going year after year.

"We rely heavily on volunteers," Quinn said. "It takes hundreds of volunteers to do what we do. It's the same with our donors. I think the donors see our transparency and the screening we do for each family, and that's what gets those donors coming back to us."

Quinn said HELP partners with several businesses throughout the area, from radio stations such as 97.1-FM The Point to stores such as Walgreens, in collecting food and toys for the holiday programs. Dozens of businesses and schools sponsor toy drives benefiting HELP's distribution to needy families in the valley and with its warehouse-turned-toy-store, where parents can select gifts for their children.

Quinn said the opportunity for those in need to come into HELP and choose toys for their children provides a personal touch to their holiday.

"What we honor about our program is that parents actually get to come through our toy store," Quinn said. "It's really hard for people to come in and get help. (He or she) could be your neighbor or the person who poured your coffee that morning at Starbucks. For these people to come in and choose the toys themselves, we take pride in that."

Wendy Johnstone, who has volunteered with HELP's holiday events for more than five years, said she has witnessed firsthand the impact that HELP's assistance has on recipients.

"I've witnessed a lot of people come through the toy store who are so grateful and overcome with emotion," Johnstone said. "It gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling, knowing I've made a positive impact and that we can help people get back on their feet."

Denise Davie is one of these grateful recipients who was given the opportunity to select toys for her 2-year-old son from HELP's warehouse last year. Davie, who was laid off from her job last year, said she is thankful for what HELP has provided for her family.

"Their help, to me, it means a lot," Davie said. "For families who can't afford gifts, they deserve a Christmas. (The organization) does a tremendous job of helping out."

Like Davie, Quinn said she has seen an increase in the number of people who have been laid off from their jobs seeking assistance from HELP. Many of those people, she said, were previous donors.

"I think what's changed so much is the face of the client," Quinn said. "I've seen people who have donated to us in the past and are now coming here to get assistance. A lot of them have had their job hours cut or have been out of a job for at least a year. It's unfortunate, and I think these numbers are always going to increase."

Quinn said she also has seen an increase in a certain type of donor for the Adopt-a-Family program in which people purchase gifts from a designated family's "wish list."

"It's definitely an honor and a privilege to be 'adopted,' " Quinn said. "It's not presidents and CEOs of big companies adopting these families. It's employees sometimes working for tips, helping families feel really special."

Tyler Hobbs, 15, is one of last year's Adopt-a-Family recipients. Hobbs said having a traditional Christmas was difficult with his mother in the hospital last year, but he was able to enjoy the holiday because of HELP.

"I only asked for clothes, but a week before Christmas, Kristi Swenson (a director at HELP) and some people from the Mirage came over with clothes, bikes and food," Hobbs said. "It made me happy because it shows that people care about others. I think it's a good program, and it shows that people can provide for others and not be selfish."

Quinn, who heads the Adopt-a-Family, said she has seen an outpouring of generosity from the community with the program.

"Las Vegas has so many wonderful people in our community," Quinn said. "I get to know the donor and the family, and it's a great feeling knowing they've made a difference in each other's lives. It doesn't take that much to get that feeling. It only takes a couple hours of your time and to care about your community."

For more information on HELP's holiday programs, visit helpsonv.org or call 369-4357.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-0492.