In the Las Vegas Valley of southern Nevada, Walker Furniture’s annual Home for the Holidays event is as much a December tradition as ribbons and mistletoe.
For 26 years now, residents of southern Nevada nominate families they think are deserving of Walker’s help in furnishing their homes. Walker Furniture is helping 35 families this month as part of its program.
Home For The Holidays is the largest annual charitable endeavor for Walker, which has a long history of contributing to worthwhile community causes. Owner Larry Alterwitz said Walker employees at the company’s two stores enjoy making the program a success because they see up close how the furniture impacts a family. “Every year we see so many people with so much need,” he said. “And we do it because it brings so much joy to us, to our employees. We are helping somebody build their lives.”
Deliveries begin
Last week, the HFA member began making delivering rooms of furniture to surprised families as part of the community-driven program. The Sanchez family of Las Vegas was one of those families. Henry and Ruth Sanchez have two small children and a teenager.
The Sanchez family was nominated by Mario Rodriguez, pastor at a Las Vegas church.
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Rodriguez met the Sanchez family a year ago at his church’s farmer’s market and food pantry. Henry and Ruth Sanchez are now working and also taking a financial class.
Rodriguez says the family has made a lot of progress. Until the furniture arrived, the Sanchez family spent many nights sleeping on the floor of their apartment.
“It’s something that was very unexpected,” said Henry Sanchez. “God opens doors somehow.”
