Donations Sought For Area Homeless

By JENNA RHUDE

Moapa Valley Progress

Judy Smith is a local woman with a huge heart. Last year, while watching the news, Judy saw an interview with Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, a Las Vegas organization which provides services to homeless youth 24 hours a day. The program touched her heart when she heard that there were 14,000 homeless youth in Clark County, Nevada.

Judy immediately took action and began organizing donation locations at several Moapa Valley businesses. She partnered with the Partnership organization and was able to provide the group with hygiene kits, socks, and underwear all from local donations. She received so many items in various sizes that she donated quite a lot to Capalappa Family Resource Center and some to W. Mack Lyon Middle School in Overton, Nevada.

Impressed with the number of items donated last year, Judy decided to do it again this year. She is now accepting donations of all kinds.
“All donations will benefit our valley,” said Judy. “Everything will stay here. I want to reach out to the high school as well as the middle school and help them fill a need.”

We want to make the items available to anyone in need,” she explained. “No one should feel ashamed to ask for help. This valley is amazing. We are so fortunate to live here. People are so generous.”

Donations will be accepted throughout the month of October. Items needed are backpacks, hygiene products (travel size only), school supplies, caps, hats, gloves, toys, and feminine products. All items must be new.
“Last year we received hats crocheted and knitted by local ladies, and those are amazing,” Judy said. “We’d love to have more.”

The drop-off location in Logandale is American Family Insurance. The drop-off in Moapa is Muddy River Bar and Grill. Several places in Overton are accepting the donations as well: Inside Scoop, Cal’s Auto Repair, Clea’s Moapa Valley Realty, Sage Health and Becca’s Beauty Salon.