LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A popular program that has helped Las Vegas valley families furnish their homes for free for nearly three decades will do the same this year, but with some changes.

This is the 27th year that Walker Furniture will do its “Home for the Holidays” program to assist individuals and families in need in Clark County. The program will provide 35 families with a houseful of furniture. However, the furniture which is usually delivered by Christmas, will be delivered after that date, when it’s safe, due to the pandemic. Because of that, the date to receive letters to nominate a family has been extended.

“For all of us at Walker Furniture, this is always a special time of the year for giving, and with the pandemic this year hitting our community especially hard even more families are going to need a helping hand,” said Larry Alterwitz, owner. “Our Home for the Holidays program is life altering for many folks who for a myriad of unfortunate circumstances have found themselves in rather desperate need for furniture. We feel it’s the least we can do to lift a burden for 35 families.”

Families, or individuals, can be nominated by sending a letter to this link or to this email: submissions@walkerfurniture.com. The letter should describe the person or family’s unfortunate situation. Sending letters early is recommended. The deadline to submit a letter is through Dec. 25. (Letters can also be mailed, see below)

Walker is partnering with Helping Hands of Vegas Valley which will read all the letters, identify and evaluate families and their need when it’s safe to do so.

“This is labor intensive and problematic for volunteers and families possibly being subjected to the virus,” Alterwitz said.

Unlike past years, Alterwitz said in order to meet COVID-19 safety guidelines, the families will receive their furniture at the beginning of 2021.

According to Walker Furniture, “Letters explain extraordinary and often heart-wrenching problems in our community, which run the gamut of hardships including: families with children suffering from physical or mental disorders; the loss of homes and belongings from fires; single-parent households with financial difficulty; and families affected by illness, domestic violence or sexual abuse are just some examples. It’s shocking how many families don’t have beds, chairs, dining table, etc.”

Letters must be received by Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, to be reviewed by the outside, independent panelists. The deliveries will begin in mid-December.

(Letters can also be mailed or dropped off to Walker Furniture’s MLK store 301 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89106)