Carson City's Boys and Girls Club children brighten Carson-Tahoe hospital with artwork and hope
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Sun, 05/03/2020 - 11:04am
While the Boys and Girls Club in Western Nevada in Carson City is currently closed to the public during the pandemic, they have offered their services to a worthy cause: keeping the children of essential first responders safe and happy.
This is the first week the club has been open to the children of hospital workers, firefighters, and essential state workers, according to Katie Leao of the Boys and Girls Club, and they intend to help as many as they can.
"We're trying to serve the community in a meaningful way with our doors closed," said Leao.
Amy Hyne-Sutherland of Carson-Tahoe Hospital said that the children are a welcome sight.
"It's inspiring and hopeful," said Hyne-Sutherland. "It's a serious time and seeing the kids and their art brings a levity to our caregivers who come in every single day, giving it their all and putting their own and health family's health on the line. When they can come in and see the art fro the community's kids, it really brings in love and cheer."
For some medical workers and first responders, having the Boys and Girls Club available for their children makes a difference as to whether or not they can show up for their community.
"We have a number of staff members that it's been amazing for," said Hyne-Sutherland. "For those of us who have school-aged kids, it feels really good to be able to show up for our colleagues and coworkers knowing our kids are in a safe and happy place."
Opening their doors to the children of first responders isn't the only way the Boys and Girls Club is giving back during this time. They're also providing food to the community as well as virtual programming everyday.
"The Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada is igniting positive impact to emerge stronger when this pandemic slows down," said Leao. "Our work is critical to continue to support the youth in Carson City and Carson Valley any way that we are able."
Katie Leao sent the following statement on what the club is up to during the closure:
The Club staff are dedicated to making sure our families are fed, childcare is provided to those who are working, and providing virtual programming and Club on the Go kits to help parents keep their kids engaged and connected to the Club.
We are the front line for youth in our community and working hard to bring some normalcy, support and love to our members and their families.
We are doing whatever it takes to spread hope and messages of love to our communities that have supported us over the last 27 years and continue to provide services to those who need us the most.
Ways people can give to support these programs:
Club on the Go Kits are a keep our kids engaged and active while they are at home and at the Club.
Feeding Our Community, the club provides hot breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner to our members daily on and off campus.
Keeping the Club Safe disinfecting the Clubhouse daily and providing our staff and members with masks, gloves and disinfectant wipes.
Childcare for Essential Workers this fund helps support those youth who need a safe place for childcare while their parents work.
They can donate directly to us at http://bgcwn.org/donate/ or Mail to BGCWN 1870 Russell Way Carson City NV 89706
They can choose us a their Charity on Smile. Amazon (Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada) and send us items from our wish list to put into our Club on the Go backpacks
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