Austin’s House expects to have many children in crisis staying over the holidays. You can brighten their days with a simple donation.

The best donation is a gift card to a store or cash. This allows Austin’s House to purchase the exact gift that each child wants, even if they arrive on Christmas Eve. A gift card to any local store that carries clothing and toys is perfect. You may also donate gift cards for children’s entertainment such as local movie theaters, fast food restaurants and bowling.

Austin’s House also needs food to stock the pantry. Specific items needed are cereal: oatmeal, Cheerios, Corn Chex, Honey Bunches of Oats and Raisin Bran; canned fruit in light syrup: unsweetened applesauce, peaches, pears, mandarin oranges; crackers: Goldfish, Wheat Thins and Triscuits; snack bars: Nutrigrain or oatmeal bars; baking mixes: cookies, brownies, corn bread and cakes; canned chili, refried beans, canned soup, pasta sauce, pancake mix, syrup, ketchup, mayonnaise, and ranch dressing.

Other items needed are baby wipes, paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, napkins, laundry detergent, dishwashing soap, dishwasher detergent, Clorox cleaning wipes, baby shampoo and children’s hairbrushes.

The staff at Austin’s House has produced a beautiful 2012 calendar featuring artwork drawn by children who have stayed at Austin’s House. Each month brings a warm reminder of another young life that was changed for the better thanks to the fine care provided at this wonderful facility. The 2012 calendar is $10 and all of the money will directly benefit Austin’s House.

Call (775) 267.6711 to donate to Austin’s House — the only emergency children’s shelter in rural Northern Nevada.