Fernley senior committee to finalize April planting day and a donation letter for local businesses

The Fernley Senior Citizens Advisory Committee discussed scheduling a planting and cleanup day at Desert Memorial Garden Cemetery in April 2026 and preparing a donation letter to solicit plants and fan donations from local businesses.

Jackie Lavoy said she drafted a donation letter based on last year’s version, noting it “has a little coupon at the bottom” and asked members to review the format before finalizing it. The committee discussed whether one letter should cover both the planting and the fan drive or whether to send separate appeals targeted to retailers that supply plants (Lowe’s, Walmart and the Fallon nursery) and other businesses for fan donations.

Albert Torres clarified the committee’s approach to monetary gifts, saying he believed the city code and tax/reporting rules require additional reporting for donations above $10,000; donations below that threshold can be accepted more straightforwardly into the designated fund. Deputy City Clerk Brenda Gosser told the committee the clerk’s office can provide a list of email addresses for most licensed businesses in Fernley to streamline outreach.

Committee members agreed Jackie will contact April (city staff) to confirm whether April 11 or April 18 best suits city participation, and will circulate the revised donation letter electronically for review, with a plan to finalize the letter at the February meeting. The committee also discussed outreach channels — email to licensed businesses as a low-cost first step, with options to place notices in the Fernley Reporter — and cautioned about both spam risk and costs of mail.

Next steps: Lavoy will contact the city staff member (April), revise the donation letter using input from the group and circulate it for approval; the committee will finalize dates and distribution logistics at the February meeting.