Every kid that goes to the Boys and Girls Club in Yorkton knows Lorraine Moeller and Erin Roussin.
They might not be sisters by blood, but they certainly are by bond. A big part of that bond? A common love of kids.
When kids come for pizza night, music night, join a camp, workshop or learning to cook, chances are it’s Moeller and Roussin smiling at the door and running the show.
Now, the Boys and Girls Club Yorkton turns 25 years old, and as would only be appropriate, a heck of a birthday bash is planned. Naturally, kids come first.
The $25 for 25 Years campaign is in full swing. For just $25, you can help keep things running in a big way. It helps keep kids fed, pay for costs of the facility. Thanks to generous community donations, Moeller, Roussin and their dedicated staff can keep helping kids.
“When we started, we only had the lower level of the space we’re in now,” said Moeller.
“We didn’t have anywhere near as many programs as we do now. We built it over time. We serve the needs of the community, so when the kids need something, that’s what we aim for.”
The Boys and Girls Club of Canada was formed in 1900, initially for kids from disadvantaged situations with nowhere to go after school. Often, the caring nature of the club is the one lifeline a child has -- and the only hot meal or support they’d get.
“All kids are welcome,” says Moeller, but she stresses how great the need still is.
“We’ve got lots of programs that are fun for kids of all ages. Still, though, lots of kids don’t get a hot meal or have that support at home to make sure they have a place to go. We still provide that place, because every kid deserves a chance.”
Understandably, after school programs are a big part of the Yorkton Boys and Girls club. It’s a place to socialize with peers, but it is also a place to learn life skills. Then as now, often it remains the only place some of the kids can get a hot, nutritious meal, so its operation is critically important to the community.
“When we started, there wasn’t the kind of corporate funding normally available to larger chapters to us,” said Roussin.
“Now, over time, we’ve developed some great partnerships and we’ve been able to come up with some great programs within our budgets.”
Still, though, there are improvements that need to be made.
“Honestly, the single biggest expense for us are wages and rent. Beyond that, though, there’s a few things in Yorkton we’d like to have that the kids need.”
Moeller agrees. “For one, the bus service is improving, but it doesn’t serve a huge area. If you don’t have a car, there’s really no way to get here. Sometimes, if you’re a kid, that’s the difference between you getting a meal for a night or going to bed hungry.”
“So, eventually, we’d like to get a van that can serve as a shuttle so we can pick up kids to make sure they can come here for a healthy meal, have some fun and positive support,” Roussin said.
“We’ll keep offering the same great programs and expand as much as we can.”
Why not donate? Fully tax-deductible. Send an e-Transfer for $25 to [email protected]. You can also pay via cash or cheque in person or mail at 54 Smith St W.
For more information on the Boys and Girls Club Yorkton, visit http://www.boysandgirlsclubofyorkton.ca/
