District 39 Assemblyman Ken Gray, Lodge 2670 State Major Project Director Antoinette Casselberry, Exalted Ruler Ann Marie Neacy and Douglas County Commissioner Mark Gardner.
The Tahoe-Douglas Elks recently hosted a “Caribbean Delight Night” fundraiser to benefit the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City. More than 130 people attended the dinner, many attired in beach wear to complement the island-themed event.
For more than 55 years, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children has provided “a safe, nurturing home with therapeutic residential treatment services to thousands of abused and neglected children in Nevada” (stjudesranch.org). With a mission of, “Transforming the lives of abused and at-risk children, young adults and families by empowering them to create new choices and new hope in a caring community,” the facility offers services and programs that include a Transitional Living Program for young adults and employment and education assistance for those aging out of foster care.
St. Jude’s is currently building a residential Healing Center to provide trauma specific treatment and care for child victims of sex trafficking. As one of only a few residential therapeutic treatment centers of its kind in the nation, the Healing Center will expand on St. Jude’s existing programs and services to help “bring hope and healing to vulnerable victims.”
In his address to event attendees, guest speaker Assemblyman Ken Gray highlighted the Nevada Legislature’s efforts to combat human trafficking, better protect vulnerable people, and take a more victim-centered approach to trafficking laws.
The Elks expressed gratitude to the organizations and business who donated items to the evening’s raffles and auctions, and all proceeds support St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.
To learn more about the Tahoe-Douglas Elks Lodge, visit tahoedouglaselks.org.
Free reading workshops and Spring book sale
Parents and caregivers of children through age 5 are invited to participate in the Every Child Ready to Read program hosted by the Douglas County Public Library.
A parent and caregiver education initiative, Every Child Ready to Read encourages adults to nurture and support children’s early literacy skills using five practices: singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing. Classes are free of charge and scheduled as follows:
Feb. 20, 3:30–4:30 p.m. in the Minden Library meeting room
Feb. 28, 11 a.m.–noon in the Zephyr Cove Library meeting room
May 14, 3:30–4:30 p.m. in the Minden Library meeting room
May 21, 11 a.m.–noon in the Zephyr Cove Library meeting room
The library’s Minden branch is located at 1625 Library Lane; the Lake Tahoe branch is located at 233 Warrior Way in Zephyr Cove. Connect with the library on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube; visit their webpage, or call 775-782-9841 for more information.
The Every Child Ready to Read program is sponsored by the Friends of the Douglas County Public Library.
Spring Book Sale
The Friends of the Douglas County Public Library host their first book sale of 2024 on February 16 and 17 in the Minden library meeting room.
On Friday, a Friends-only preview sale takes place from Noon-3 p.m., but anyone can join the Friends that day and enjoy a 10% discount on all purchases. The sale opens to the public on Friday from 3-5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
“The Friends of the Douglas County Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of library supporters dedicated to supporting, contributing to and promoting the Douglas County Public Library” (library.douglascountynv.gov). They provide funding for programs and projects dedicated to literacy and learning, and proceeds from quarterly book sales help support those efforts.
Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.
