20-30 Club helps with back-to-school shopping

For the first time in three years, members of Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club No. 85 were able to fulfill their commitment to provide at least 50 kids with back-to-school clothes.

This year 80 children between Douglas County and Carson City were given $100 each and a volunteer to go shopping at Walmart on Topsy Lane during the club’s annual back-to-school shopping spree Aug 26.

“This is my second favorite event,” said Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club Vice President Dustin Anderson. “The Easter Egg Hunt is fun and we do a lot of other events throughout the year, but this is where we get really hands-on and where we get to interact with the kids.”

Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club president Aaron Meeden said the club raises funds throughout the year for their annual shopping spree through fundraisers such as the Carson Valley Days event and from donations from other clubs, businesses and services.

Then, the club reaches out to schools, social services and other programs to help as many kids possible.

“It’s a list of people who might be new to the area or just need the assistance,” said the club’s immediate past president Robbie Boulais. “This year we were able to help out more in need and the Carson Club also had 30 of their own.”

During Saturday’s event the Carson Valley and Carson City 20-30 clubs, a selection of volunteers and the Lions Club helped families shop.

Boulais said the Lions Club has financially supported the shopping event for 20 years and has volunteered during the event for at least nine years. This year they donated $1,000 to the program.

“They not only continue to donate financially, but they come out here and show their support and volunteer to take the kids shopping too,” said Boulais. “We appreciate everything they do.”

Boulais said this is one of the events where they receive the most appreciation for what the 20-30 clubs does for the children in Douglas County.

“We do what we can to make it special for them and we like to let the kids feel like it’s their day to shop,” said Boulais. “We receive a lot of thank yous and social services tells us about the appreciation calls they receive from families too.”

The Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club is a volunteer service club dedicated to improve the lives of children in the Carson Valley. Visit carsonvalley2030.com, Carson Valley Active 20-30 Club No. 85 on Facebook or follow on Instagram at CarsonValleyRedVests