Thanks for toys

EDITOR:

It was difficult to tell if it was Christmas or January last week when a van-load of amazing toys arrived at Family Support Council from the Carson Valley Inn. There were games, tons of books, big blocks for little fingers, shelves made especially for tykes and other wonderful play things previously used in the CVI's Kid's Fun Center.

These toys will go a long way to improve the lives of the children we work with both in our emergency shelter and in our toddler time activity program. For those of you not familiar with these programs, our emergency shelter provides refuge for domestic violence victims and their children fleeing violent homes. In 2009, 61 children stayed in our shelter, after leaving behind everything familiar including their toys.

Toddler time is held so that moms (and sometimes even grandmas) can develop a support network while their children (from 3-16 years each day) play together. Teresa Lundberg, program coordinator, is on hand to model positive parenting skills, answer questions and provide information pertinent to raising toddlers. On behalf of all of Family Support Council's kids, we are most grateful for Carson Valley Inn's wonderful generosity.

Kristie M. Traver

Executive Director

Family Support Council