The popular rural music festival, Night In The Country, donates to many non-profit organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mason Valley (BGCMV).
The event was in canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. Travis Crowder, BGCMV's chief professional officer, said it has been challenging bringing in revenue equivalent to what the event provides, during the pandemic.
"It typically ends up being about 25 percent of our annual operating for our organization, so it's a large amount," said Crowder. "It's been a tough one for not just us, but a lot of our partners in the community that are going to lose that fundraiser this year. So it's an economic impact that's going to be felt quite strongly through our county."
COVID-19 also presented many other funding challenges for the non-profit organization. Many Boys & Girls Club locations in Northern Nevada had to cancel annual fundraisers and Crowder said donations from private citizens have decreased. Club representatives say many locations rely on donations from benefactors and the local community to fund programs, feed members and provide services to families at a low cost.Â
The Toyota Dealers Association ended up donating about $75,000 to Boys & Girl Club locations in Northern Nevada. The group is typically a sponsor of Night In The Country, however when the event was canceled, it still wanted to find a way to give back to the community.
"Toyota has been a very strong supporter of the Boys & Girls Club via Night In The Country, for several years -- and we're very grateful for them," said Crowder, "The fact that they stepped up and did it again this year when the event was postponed says a lot of the folks associated with Toyota, and their character."
Mason Valley, Truckee Meadows, and Carson Valley groups will receive about $25,000 each.Â
"We haven't stopped giving and we realize it's vital for our community to survive," said Dana Whaley, a representative of Carson City Toyota. He presented a $25,000 check to a Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada location.
Whaley said, "We hope that other people will make donations to help them make it through the whole year because this money will not make it through the whole year. Hopefully it'll get them through the summer."
Area clubs also want to thank its partners for support ongoing support and financial contributions.Â
If you want to donate to a Boys & Girls Club in a Northern Nevada location you can check out the following links:Â
