Donations sought for Boys & Girls Club COVID-19 Relief Fund

Here is a press release from Boys & Girls Clubs of Inland Valley:

MENIFEE -- Boys & Girls Clubs of Inland Valley announced in April a fundraising campaign aimed at supporting COVID-19 relief efforts in the Menifee and Perris areas. In times of tragedy and crisis, Boys & Girls Clubs have stepped up to provide safe places for kids and teens. Today, the organization is committed more than ever to ensure Club staff, members, families, and communities have the resources and support they need to navigate these uncertain times – while also partnering with state and local officials to do more.

"In a time of uncertainty, it is crucial we stand together as a community," said John Whann, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Inland Valley. "As a service agency, we feel privileged that we can still serve our community and provide a much-needed Grab & Go meal service. We have always provided free meals after school for our children in our Clubs, but now we serve all children and families in our community and the surrounding areas.

"We now serve about 2,000 meals a week, but our goal is 5,000 meals. We feel that the service we are providing for our community during these uncertain times will ensure our community, children and families will come out of this stronger than ever. With that being said, we would like to thank everyone that has supported us during this time. We would also like to thank our volunteers and finally Mr. Sam and Miss Susana for their relentlessness dedication and passion to serve our children, families and community."

This campaign would have not been possible without the support of corporate and community partners who have already supported our COVID-19 Relief Fund. Those partners include: Menifee Bicycles, Semper Patrol, SoCalGas, Ann Romagnoli, Ebony Epps, Tara Muzychenko, Emily Phippen, Casey Price, Bonnie Gore, Angela Hatfield, Ashley Harris, Deanna Howard, The Whann Family, Colleen Young-Morrison, Suzanna Whann Ferebee, Mary Beth Miller, Erika Cocco, Nikki Leishman Prosser, Silvia Culver, Valerie-Flynt Dinis, The Loria Family, Emilee Stowell, Vicki Carpenter of Coldwell Banker, The Bucket Guy, Chief Patrick Walsh, Tahnee Sanchez, The Lambros Family, Camden Brown and Family, Kim Webb, Nicole Farrell, and Veronica Pena.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Inland Valley is committed to providing vital relief services immediately. However, communities will need Clubs more than ever as the nation emerges from this time. The COVID-19 Relief Fund will also enable Club doors to re-open so that they can continue to provide out-of-school time services to current members and the local community.

With unemployment on the rise and the long-term economic impact of COVID-19 unknown, it’s crucial that we equip our young people with the essential skills to successfully enter the workforce. Also, when our Clubs re-open, there is a concern that mental health resources will be needed to help youth as they transition out of this difficult time.

To donate and to learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Inland Valley, visit www.menifeebgc.org. To learn more about what Boys & Girls Clubs are doing in communities all across the nation, visit www.bgca.org.