It happens every summer about this time, scores of fans that fill the farmland in Yerington for Night in the Country. Most may not even realize they're helping raise money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley.
Travis Crowder is the Chief Professional Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley. He says he couldn’t be happier with the event. "Hands down, Night in the Country provides pretty much all of our extra resources that we have to have to be able to provide the services that we do.”
There are 1,800 members at three different sites for the club: Silver Springs, Dayton and Yerington. Rural communities that struggle with deep poverty.
Crowder explains, "This past year we provided 85,000 meals, which is the most we've ever done, just in our meal program alone.”
The money is raised through tickets sales – the three day music festival brings in big name country music artists. This year - the Band Perry and Jake Owen. Plus, profits are made renting out campsites - there were about 2,700 this weekend.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley provide more than just meals and after-school care for kids. Club directors say they strive to create responsible, caring citizens. Longtime member, Lily Aguilar, agrees. "The Boys & Girls Club has taught me to like little children more, so that makes me want to become like uh - an elementary school teacher now."
Adds Crowder, "We've got a tremendous amount of awesome kids that are just amazing. One in particular is Jeffery Valladares - is the State Youth of the Year.”
Jeffrey says the club is like home. "I've been there for ten years now, and so the staff there has grown and become the support system that I never had. They are the family."
Jeffrey will be attending the University of Nevada in the fall and already plans on supporting the Boys & Girls Club once he graduates and begins his career. "I always think that once you're ahead, you can't ever forget to look back and to give back."
This year's 14th annual Night in the Country was the biggest yet, with almost 13,000 attendees. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley say thanks to generous sponsors and volunteers they expect to make $400,000 in profits.
For more information, go to http://bgcmasonvalley.org/
