Good Deeds

"Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." John 13:34.

From Operation Stocking Stuffer to Operation Easter Basket, Catholic Charites of Northern Nevada believes in carrying our service organization's passionate purpose well beyond the holiday season. 

On August 16, 2021, the Kabul airport was a scene of discord and panic as Afghanistan residents and Americans alike rushed to flee the region as the Taliban assumed its rule. On August 17, the Truckee Meadows flooded our organization with offers to help.  

His name is Beauregard Jackson Pickett-Burnside (Beau to his fans), and he believes in karma – specifically, the Karma Box Project. The middle-aged pug, with his trademark dangling tongue, is companion to Brooke Lampert, a local chef, caterer and community food philanthropist. This winter, the pair has added filling Karma Boxes to their philanthropic mission.

The Reno-Tahoe community already had enough to worry about this holiday season: A global pandemic; parents working from home; kids distance learning in the next room. And then families were asked to evacuate what should have been their safe havens due to the Pinehaven fire, leaving dozens of families wondering if they would have a home to come back to for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

Yes, it’s officially time to start holiday shopping (for those who didn’t start in August), which means it’s also a good time to support local community organizations and their holiday wish lists. Luckily for us, they have made it very fun to do so!

Here are just some of the ways to support our Northern Nevada organizations and the underserved people in our community that they’re helping. 

Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada (GSSN) honored 79 girls at the virtual All That Glitters Celebration — an annual recognition honoring Girl Scouts who have earned the highest awards (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) in Girl Scouting, as well as the Crutchfield-Healy Scholarship Recipient — in a virtual format on Saturday, September 26.

Before the global pandemic brought local events to a grinding halt, “About Town Deb” — aka Debbie McCarthy — spent most of her time attending events and fundraisers, traveling and  helping our community in other ways. So when the COVID shutdown sent everyone home, she didn’t know what to do with herself.

To make matters worse, she was sidelined at a time when people needed her positivity more than ever.

When someone shares their talents with the world in order to put a smile on people’s faces, we think that’s an action worth celebrating. That’s why we decided to reach out to photographer and UNR student Isaac Hoops, who has been documenting the Silver Legacy’s messages of community support. He shared his work with the world — and even allowed us to use his image as our cover photo on Facebook. Here’s our conversation with Isaac about his art, his background and how he stays positive in the face of a global pandemic. 

Think back to every wedding, prom or birthday party you’ve ever been to. What made it fun? Of course the people did, but what else? I’m guessing it had something to do with the fantastic, exactly-right-for-the-occasion tunes — the songs that required you to get up and dance, or at least tap your foot.

Many Northern Nevadans are developing newfound skills in the art of sewing face masks as a result of the current pandemic. And while healthcare workers, grocery store employees and neighbors are often the recipients, one population is particularly vulnerable when it comes to falling through the cracks for receiving these potentially live-saving tools: families in need. 

To address this important population, iCelerate - High Sierra Industries (HSI) went to work.