Rodeo Foundation Denim Drive goes through December - KOLO

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - The Reno Rodeo Foundation's 11th annual Denim Drive for 2017 is Nov. 13 through Dec. 31, collecting money and new clothing donations across 14 Northern Nevada counties for abused and neglected infants, children and teens who have been rescued from unsafe homes.

Since 2006, the Reno Rodeo Foundation has donated almost $1 million in new clothes for kids in foster care and protective custody. There are thousands of foster children being served in Northern Nevada with new children arriving in the system daily, most without basic clothing.

“It may be one pair of jeans, but it makes a world of difference to these children who have survived circumstances most of us can’t even imagine,” said Larry Frugoli, President of the Reno Rodeo Foundation. “These donations create a frame of mind. Giving new clothes to a neglected, abused and abandoned child offers a sense of well-being and comfort and sends a deeper message that someone cares about them as they begin their foster care journey.”

More than 100 locations will host donation bins to collect new jeans, new socks, new shirts and new underwear. An interactive map with all donation locations can be accessed here.

Donors can also contribute to the 2017 Denim Drive at all Nevada State Bank Northern Nevada branches, Famous Dave’s, Squeeze In locations and Scolari’s Food & Drug Markets by purchasing a “Donate a Dollar for Denim” pocket with 100 percent of every dollar donated used to purchase additional new clothing throughout the year.

“The monetary donations make a tremendous impact because we can purchase clothes in specific sizes to fill specific needs,” explained Clara Andriola, Executive Director. “The total number of kids in care nationwide has increased for each of the last three years on record. With all indications pointing to an increase in need, and as the only organization in Northern Nevada that provides new clothing to foster children every day around the clock, support for the Denim Drive is vital.”

Donors can also make monetary donations online via PayPal on the Reno Rodeo Foundation website in addition to making donations over the phone or by mailing a check to the Reno Rodeo Foundation.
In addition to the donation drop-off and “Donate a Dollar for Denim” locations available during the entire drive, the Northern Nevada community can support the Denim Drive during several special events:

Denim Drive at Wolf Pack Football – Saturday, Nov. 11
The Nevada Wolf Pack and the San Jose State Spartans will clash on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. at Mackay Stadium for the annual Have a Heart Adoption Awareness Football Game. The Washoe County Human Services Agency and University of Nevada Athletics are teaming up to celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month by inviting foster and adoptive families to join Pack fans for food and fun at the football game. Wolf Pack Women’s Basketball Head Coach and adoptive parent, Amanda Levens, will join families for an afternoon of festivities. Fans are encouraged to support the Have a Heart Foster Care and Adoption Program and the Reno Rodeo Denim Drive by donating new jeans, socks, underwear or cash at the game.

Crafts for Christmas at The Nugget – Nov. 24-26
The Nugget Casino Resort is holding a holiday gift fair Thanksgiving weekend from noon to 6 p.m Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The event is free to attend and features a wide variety of Christmas craft and gift booths, food and drink demonstrations, holiday performances, gift wrapping and appearances by Santa Clause from noon to 4 p.m. each day. Denim Drive collection bins will be available at Crafts for Christmas and the Reno Rodeo will have special demonstrations on Friday, Nov. 24 and Saturday, Nov. 25 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Dine and Donate at Famous Dave’s – Thursday, Nov. 30
Throughout the entire Denim Drive campaign, guests who bring in a new clothing item or donate $10 will receive a $5 gift certificate to Famous Dave’s. Guests can donate separately or “Round Up for the Kids” by adding a donation to their dining checks. Dine at Famous Dave’s on Thursday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and they’ll donate 15 percent of the check to the Denim Drive.

Breakfast with Santa at Meadowood Mall – Saturday, Dec. 2
Join the Reno Rodeo Foundation on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Breakfast with Santa at Meadowood Mall. Reno Rodeo Foundation and Reno Rodeo Association Team 355 Volunteers will be offering free hayrides and kids can test out their roping skills on roping dummy steers in front of JCPenney near the Cheesecake Factory. Denim Drive donations can be dropped off at guest services and participating stores throughout Meadowood Mall.

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