A Staff Report
Seven young ladies with the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, (BGHNC) received many blessings thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Elizabethtown. Each year the local club takes girls from the Kiwanis Club cottage at the BGHNC shopping and treats them to a meal at San Jose’s Restaurant.
During the holiday season, it’s often easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping for loved ones and preparing festive meals. However, for some, the season can be a challenging time, filled with loneliness and hardship. That’s where the Kiwanis Club of Elizabethtown shines as a beacon of hope and compassion.
BGHNC is dedicated to providing health, healing, and hope to youth and children in distress or at risk. Their mission is to impact young individuals’ lives positively, and they have been doing so for many years. Likewise, the Kiwanis Club of Elizabethtown has been dedicated to helping children and youth for many years.
On December 5, the annual Kiwanis shopping event unfolded, as the girls and staff members from BGHNC met with members of the Kiwanis Club at Leinwand’s. This meeting allowed the girls a shopping spree that would bring smiles to the faces of seven special young ladies. Shoes, coats, clothes, and more awaited the girls as Christmas gifts from the Kiwanis Club.
Ricky Leiwand, with Leinwand’s, shared his impressions, saying, “The girls were some of the most polite and grateful young ladies.”
At BGHNC, they employ the “Teaching Parent Model,” a compassionate approach that focuses on nurturing and guiding young individuals. One aspect of this model involves teaching the girls important life skills, including the art of greeting others. Tom Lamont, Director of Communication and Club Engagement with the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, highlighted this aspect, stating, “The girls have been working on their greeting skills, and they did an excellent job while shopping.”
After the exciting shopping experience at Leinwand’s, the Kiwanis Club continued to spread holiday cheer by hosting a special dinner for the young ladies and BGHNC staff members at San Jose Restaurant in Elizabethtown. The evening was filled with delicious food and the joy of giving as the children were lavished with more gifts.
“With civic organizations like the Kiwanis Club of Elizabethtown, we are making a difference, one child at a time,” Lamont said. The power of community and compassion was evident in every gesture and smile exchanged during this memorable evening.
Dr. Cathy Gantz, another representative with BGHNC, summed up the evening perfectly, saying, “The girls loved it.” The genuine happiness and excitement on the girls’ faces were a testament to the event’s success.
Dr. Lisa Bryan, President of the Kiwanis Club, expressed her gratitude, stating, “It was a wonderful evening.” The Kiwanis Club of Elizabethtown was not only thankful but deeply honored to be able to celebrate Christmas with the BGHNC and make a positive impact in the lives of these young ladies.
In a world often characterized by its fast pace and hectic schedules, it’s heartening to witness the kindness and generosity of organizations like the Kiwanis Club of Elizabethtown. By coming together and extending a helping hand, they remind us that the true spirit of the holiday season lies in giving and making a difference, one child at a time.
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