South Lake Tahoe community takes care of each other during holidays

The Christmas spirit has been evident all through the South Shore over the past few weeks as many people and non-profit agencies have been blessed with donations of money, food and gifts to help make the holidays a bit brighter.

Here are some of the many Santas who've been busy at work:

The South Lake Tahoe Moose Lodge and Women of the Moose filled up 40 boxes with hams and food for families at Tahoe Valley Elementary school. The students decorated the boxes.

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The employees at Liberty Utilities had a pencil box and school supply drive and donated them to the students receiving weekly food bags from Bread and Broth 4 Kids. During their annual holiday employee breakfast, many of the employees who received Safeway gift cards as a gift donated them back to Bread and Broth 4 Kids.

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The Rotary Interact Club at South Tahoe High had a Giving Tree for children receiving services at Live Violence Free. Fellow students and teachers donated gifts for the kids. Members of the club also sold candy canes to raise money for a water well in Africa.

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The South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts has provided a total of $15,000, $5,000 each to three community organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, Christmas Cheer, and Live Violence Free this holiday season.

“We appreciate the support from STAR during a time when there’s a lot of need throughout our region,” said Tom Davis, board member of Christmas Cheer. “These organizations each give to our community on multiple levels and make a difference in many lives.”

The Boys and Girls Club will use their donation for computers and laptops to help their students keep up on new technology. Live Violence Free will be using their donation to support needed maintenance to the confidential shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

STAR is comprised of Edgewood Companies, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Harrah’s/Harveys Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, Lakeside Inn and Casino, MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, and Vail Resorts. The companies work collaboratively on community economic and sustainability issues, including a charity component.

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Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club held a holiday feast for families from both Live Violence Free and those who have become Foster Families. After lunch, the children were treated to visit and gift from Santa while the mothers got to go shopping at a store set up by Sealed With a Kiss.

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Santa's elves spent the day at Walmart spending $6,000 on toys and gifts for people receiving food supplies from Christmas Cheer.

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The South Tahoe Educators’ Association donated $500 to the weekend food bag program for local students, Bread & Broth 4 Kids.

France Carreau, owner of Tahoe Toys and Treasures, sold toys at cost as well as donating many of them, for students receiving the food bags at Tahoe Valley Elementary. She and her mother also gift wrapped all of them.