Addy LaCost, left, and Haylee LaCost, right, along with their parents. Addy won the contest and will compete on Feb. 8. Photo by Dave Stewart
The Carson Valley Lions hosted their club-level Student Speaker contest on Jan. 20. This year’s competition asks participants to explore whether community service ought to be a requirement for high school graduation. Siblings and Gardnerville Ranchos residents Hayley and Addy LaCost both competed in the event, with high school freshman Addy earning first place.
Addy now moves onto the zone contest, which takes place Feb. 8 at the Gardnerville Station. That winner advances to the regional competition scheduled in March. Good luck, Addy.
The Lions are actively recruiting for new members and contemplating next steps for future of the local service group. Student Speaker coordinator Gareth Craner said that increasing the club’s membership roster is imperative in order for the Carson Valley chapter to continue serving the community.
The Carson Valley Lions club chartered in 1953 and initially provided schoolchildren with sight screenings, eye care, and eyeglasses. Throughout the years, the club has maintained a focus on youth, hunger relief, and the environment while also providing vision assistance to adults in need.
With an emphasis on care and service to others, the Lions step in whenever and however needed. During last summer’s Tamarack and Caldor fires, the Carson Valley chapter provided gas cards, bottled water, and sundries to help local families impacted by the blazes, and numerous Southern Nevada Lions chapters lent their support by traveling to Douglas County with donations of goods and water.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Carson Valley Lions is encouraged to attend their next meeting 5:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at the COD Casino, 1593 Esmeralda Avenue in Minden. All are welcome. More information can be found online at e-clubhouse.org/sites/carsonvalleynv/.
Food Closet open house
Carson Valley Community Food Closet hosts their annual open house on Thursday, February 10 from 3-6 p.m. CVCFC Director Sarah Sanchez invites visitors to come in for a tour of the facility and to enjoy some light snacks and refreshments.
“Everything that we accomplish (at the food closet) is due to the generosity of this community,” Sanchez said. “We want everyone to see how they make a difference to those experiencing hunger in Douglas County.”
The non-profit CVCFC provides grocery assistance to those in need with support from individuals, businesses, food merchants, service groups, and churches throughout the Carson Valley.
Volunteers are always welcome to perform a variety of roles that include greeting clients, shelving items, filling food vouchers, and picking up food donations. New volunteer orientations are held the fourth Tuesday of each month at the food closet from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; the next orientation takes place Feb. 22.
CVCFC is located at 1251 Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville. More information can be found online at thefoodcloset.org.
Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.
