What started out as a charity that shared the magic of the holidays with local children has now become a lifeline of support that immediately provides South Lake Tahoe families with financial assistance when they are in crisis.
The 501c3 non-profit was founded in 1994 and has helped low-income families on a year-round basis with one-time crisis funding, but that role is now growing due to the current COVID-19 health and economic crisis. Tahoe Magic recently launched its new website TahoeMagic to show how those in need can be assisted.
Tahoe Magic works with various referring agencies and community donations to keep families warm and in their homes at times when unexpected circumstances may dictate otherwise.
Working exclusively through referral agencies that screen and vet the needs of families in crisis to Tahoe Magic, the non-profit can quickly and directly assist low-income families by helping with shelter and basic needs. The referring agency provides Tahoe Magic with billing information and Tahoe Magic then pays directly to that party.
Referring agencies include: Lake Tahoe Unified School District (Mt. Tallac, South Tahoe High School, South Tahoe Middle School, LTUSD school nurses); Mckinney Vento liaison for homeless youth; South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center; Live Violence Free; Tahoe Youth and Family Services; South Lake Tahoe Boys and Girls Club; El Dorado County Head Start and Early Head Start; El Dorado County Child Protective Service; El Dorado County Mental Health Services; CASA El Dorado; El Dorado County Public Health; Barton Memorial Hospital; and Dr. Mireya Ortega, High Sierra Dental Care.
Funding contributors have included: El Dorado Community Foundation; Lake Tahoe Visitor’s Authority, Barton Community Foundation, Tahoe Women’s Community Fund and most importantly, individual donors.
Originally appeared on South Tahoe Now