PARTNERSHIPS
The Shelter receives donations from groups and individuals in Washoe County. This voluntary support of the Shelter operation dramatically increases the quality of life afforded the children. The following organizations have been actively involved in the Kids Kottage for quite some time.

A&H Insurance: For the past several years, this company has provided the opportunity to their employees to donate money toward the Kottage. The company then gives the corresponding check to the Kottage. Their continued support is greatly appreciated.

Charmanta: Charmanta has supported the Kottage for many years and continues to increase their efforts annually. This year, at Christmas, they donated 50 stuffed Christmas stockings worth $400. For the past seven years they conducted a Trunk or Treat party at Halloween. Over the past several years they have donated end-of-the-year funds for major needs including bicycles and furniture. This year they are donating $6000 worth of new furniture. They have become, and continue to be, a very valuable friend of the Kottage.

Charter Communications: This company has graciously donated cable television service to the Kids Kottage for the past two years.

Children’s Cabinet: The Children’s Cabinet, located adjacent to Kids Kottage, is a non-profit organization providing services to families. These services include, but are not limited to, financial child care assistance, parental training, child evaluations, volunteer services and a clothing closet. The Director of the Children’s Cabinet works closely with the Kottage to provide clothing, toys, donated medical items, games and recreational activities to the Shelter.

Classic Chevys of Reno: This club has given us a substantial cash gift every year at Christmas time for the past several years. It is greatly appreciated.

Dr. James and Anne Carter Hargrove: These supporters of the Kottage give numerous donations every year. Beautiful new clothes, designer swim trunks and food are just a few of the examples. Their total annual donations are usually valued at more than $5,000.

Foster Grandparents: This program provides volunteers to assist staff with child care. These individuals provide children with an elderly role model and a “grandparent’s” perspective. Shelter staff use the Grandparents to provide one-on-one care to the more needy children and infants. Their responsibilities range from feeding and holding infants to helping in arts and crafts activities. ACTION sponsors the program at no cost to the Shelter. Foster Grandparents have been utilized at the Kids Kottage since it opened in March of 1991. Currently there are four grandparents participating in the program. Foster Grandparents provide a valuable service to the Shelter and the children. Through the Grandparent’s interactions, the children can learn “living history.” The love and affection brought to the program by the Foster Grandparents are invaluable.

JAYCEES: The JAYCEES have continued to include Kids Kottage children in their annual shopping spree. Each child is given $100 to spend in Walmart and was accompanied by a JAYCEE member during the trip. The JAYCEES have graciously included Kids Kottage and we hope to do this every Christmas season.

Kiwanis Club: The local Downtown Kiwanis Club has, for the last fifteen years, chosen the Kids Kottage as one of the programs it supports through its Major Emphasis Committee. Through this wonderful service organization, the Kids Kottage staff are able to provide for the residents in many ways. The Kiwanis Club has sponsored a number of programs and projects at the Shelter. They arranged for cable TV hook-up at Kids Kottage. A lockable refrigerator for the nursery was purchased to store infant food, formula and medications. An ear thermometer was purchased so staff can more comfortably take the temperature of the ill children. The club has provided a tree, decorations and presents for the children at Christmas in previous years.

KOLO Channel 8: This TV station has become a solid supporter of the Kottage over the past four years. This support has included monetary donations and special help when asked.

Lifetouch: Each child in care receives a complimentary package of his/her school pictures when they are taken during the school year. Lifetouch has provided this donation for the past eight years to literally hundreds of children.

McGee Center: The McGee Center, which is located across the lawn from Kids Kottage, provides services for children age 8-18 years who have individual or family needs. The facility has a residential capacity of 24 children. Many activities have been successfully shared between the Kids Kottage and the McGee Center. Examples are Planned Parenthood presentations, presentations from the Mounted Patrol and K-9 division of the Reno Police Department, presentations from the Reno Fire Department, special event parties and celebrations (i.e. haunted houses on Halloween, Christmas parties, Cinco De Mayo celebrations, etc.) and shared recreation activities (i.e. touch football, volleyball, soccer, water balloon fights, etc.).

Reno Active 20/30 Club: This organization began its support of Kids Kottage in 1997 with a $2,000 donation for new roller blades, knee and elbow pads, socks, gloves and helmets for each resident. In the past they sponsored a Christmas shopping spree to Mervyn’s for twelve of our children. Each child received $100 to buy clothes and a 20/30 club member escorted each child during the event.

Reno Rodeo Foundation: The Reno Rodeo Foundation has undertaken the huge task of building a gymnasium for the entire campus! The Foundation has raised well over $1.5 million towards this project and we anticipate construction to start this spring. Additional generous donations of new jeans for every resident were appreciated.

Soroptimist Club of Washoe Valley: For the past two years, this wonderful organization has put on a gala Christmas party with games, art projects, a pizza party and a trip from Santa. They solicit gift requests from each child. Each child is then provided the gift they have requested. The club has also conducted ice cream sundae parties during the summerenjoyed by residents and staff members alike.

St. Paul’s Methodist Church: This church has made several donations over the past years, to include clothing, Christmas presents for the children and monetary donations.

Valerie Corson Rios: Ms. Corson Rios has produced an outstanding Christmas party the past five years. She has established a huge network of volunteers and the event has grown enormously over the years. Rides, pizza, art projects, sing-a-longs, wonderful gifts and a visit from Santa make this a day to remember. We look forward to this event for many years to come.

WCDSS: Through a variety of sources, the WCDSS obtains items and services for the Shelter. These services have included upholstery cleaning and equipment repair, donations of toys, clothing, food and special event tickets.

Walmart: The Management Training Class of this organization had a Christmas party this last year at the Kottage with games, activities and a visit from Santa. The organization also personally donates underwear, clothing, etc.