Boys & Girls Clubs Present Gift Cards To 73 Sonoma-Marin Families

SONOMA AND MARIN COUNTIES, CA — With the support of the community and individual partners, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin provided over $33,000 in gift cards to 73 families in need this holiday season.

Usually, through the Gifting Great Futures Holiday Drive, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin receives and wraps several hundred gifts for the children and families it serves throughout the year.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic and the social-distance regulations that came with it, this year the nonprofit received only gift cards which were then distributed to families in need.

"With so many Club families affected by the pandemic, the need was especially large this year," said Nick Agius, marketing director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin.

Starting in October, staff with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin wrote over 70 letters on behalf of their members and families who were struggling with providing gifts for the holidays. The Club then worked closely with community partners to distribute the letters across the county and seek donations.

Fortunately, Agius said, the generosity of the local community matched the need, resulting in 717 gift cards donated totaling $33,430.

"We are grateful for all of those who supported our kids this holiday season," said Jennifer Weiss, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin. "In such a difficult year, ending 2020 by supporting families at the holidays is exceptionally meaningful. We truly could not have made this happen without the love and support of so many exceptional partners."

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin serves 10,000 youth annually and has locations in Cloverdale, Geyserville, Healdsburg, Windsor, Mark West, Roseland, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, West Sonoma County and Marin City.