Earlier this month, at Clark County’s Give Joy event, more than 300 good Samaritans distributed toys, laptops and gift cards to some of the valley’s 3,200 foster kids. On the same day, across town, another Clark County event gave away 200 bikes, more than 600 toys and free Christmas trees to families in need.
Now, that’s a lot of people helped — but they’re just some of the folks receiving a bit of assistance from cities and counties around Nevada this holiday season.
In Washoe County, officials provided foster parents with $250 per child this year to spend on designated shopping days. North Las Vegas is also in on the action. The city's own 2025 toy drive generated enough toys for nearly 3,500 children and bicycles for 25.
Wilson Ramos, North Las Vegas' director of community services and engagement, said yearly toy distribution events like these have a tangible impact on young people.
"Some of the kids [at North Las Vegas' drive], as they were sitting on Santa's lap, they were asking for food and just basic necessities. One young kiddo asked if his brother could get his sight back," Ramos said.
Further south, Henderson Parks and Recreation Superintendent Corey Clark said their toy drive (a partnership with National Championship Sports and the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada) generated 1,000 toys and nearly 300 gift cards for local children this year.
Beyond children and their parents, Clark said, seniors are also feeling the squeeze this season. Organizers and volunteers at Henderson's Heritage Park Senior Facility saw that firsthand at the center's special holiday meal on December 18.
Attendance is "up 30 percent, same month, year-over-year," Clark said. "That's definitely a strong indicator that folks are feeling that pressure at home, and so they're they're looking for those affordable alternatives to have at hand. ... We had folks lined up early in the morning at the door, into the parking lot."
Overall, the focus for both Henderson and North Las Vegas this holiday season has been meeting the community where they are, and finding ways to serve them there.
"You name it, we've got it," Ramos said. "It's always a fun but diverse [challenge] for us to do things that are more applicable to the community that we serve."
MORE RESOURCES
Henderson's Holiday Happenings
North Las Vegas Events Calendar
Las Vegas Holiday Happenings
Heritage Park Senior Facility
Dolores Huerta Resource Center
Guests: Corey Clark, parks and recreation superintendent, City of Henderson; Wilson Ramos, director of community services and engagement, North Las Vegas
