Food sale raises funds for Fontana Boys and Girls Club
By Lt. Rosie Thomas
California Institution for Women (CIW) Acting Warden Richard Montes, recently presented the Boys and Girls Club of Fontana with a check for $11,995.
The donation was made thanks to the efforts of those incarcerated at CIW. Self-help and recreation activity groups worked together to choose which organization would receive the January 2020 sale proceeds. They agreed to make a difference in the lives of youths, thus selecting the Fontana Boys and Girls Club organization.
The club was established in 1989 by a law enforcement officer, school board member and a health care facilitator. The Fontana location is one of five facilities in San Bernardino County. Before COVID-19, those facilities would assist 600 youths, but due to the virus, the numbers have been lower. The Fontana facility, due to physical distancing, can now only accommodate 70 youth. Club staff have been able to continue organizing activities and outreach since April 1, 2020, by providing online activities.
The club continues to provide homework assistance, leadership activities, crafts, nutritional activities, cooking classes, social and emotional support.
“I am so honored CIW chose our organization as the recipient of a donation. The funds will be used 100 percent for the kids on needed supplies such as computers, pencils, packs, supplies and technology,” said Terri Schneider, Chief Executive Officer of the Fontana club.
Schneider also expressed donations are welcome. Most popular items are school supplies, pre-packaged snacks, hygiene items, socks, hats, coats, gloves and flash drives. Additionally, due to COVID-19, sanitization protocols prohibit the sharing of pens, pencils, markers and various supplies, which call for the facility to issue each youth a “pencil pack” which included; pens, pencils, paper, rulers, crayons, markers. Schneider stated, “The joy the youths get from having items which are their very own and to know someone cares enough to give them something means everything to them.”
If you would like help the Boys and Girls club organization, you may contact
Frances Hernandez, Director of Resource Development, at francisbgcf@gmail.com or www.bgfontana.org