Letters sought for Walker’s holiday giveaway

Walker Furniture is seeking letters on behalf of individuals and families in need in Clark County for the company's 16th annual Home for the Holidays program. As in years past, the company will be supplying needy families with a houseful of brand-new furniture in time for the holiday season.

This year, the company will help make the holidays brighter for 20 families, said Larry Alterwitz, chief executive officer of Walker Furniture.

The company relies on the public to submit letters on behalf of prospective recipients. Anyone with an individual or family in mind should send a letter to Walker Furniture describing the situation.

Since 1994, Home for the Holidays has brought some joy and relief to hundreds of valley families that have endured a variety of hardships. Recipients have included single-parent households having difficulty making ends meet, many of them with children suffering from physical or mental disorders; families that lost their homes and belongings to fires; and families that have been affected by illness or domestic violence. The letters describing their needs typically come from teachers and students; health care professionals, social service workers, clergy, friends, neighbors, children and grandchildren.

All letters are reviewed by outside, independent panels. The preliminary panel consists of representatives of HELP of Southern Nevada, which, since 1970, has assisted individuals and families to become self-sufficient through direct services, training and referral.

Letters must be received by Dec. 7.

They should be send to Larry Alterwitz, CEO, Walker Furniture, 301 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89106. Additionally, they can be faxed to 384-7772, e-mailed to pgerace@walkerfurniture.com or hand-delivered to the store.

Furniture deliveries will begin Dec. 17.