Boys & Girls Clubs Often A Second Home For Members
DENVER (CBS4) - The CBS4 Care 4 Colorado Toy Drive is collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. Over the years of doing stories at the clubs, one thing that CBS4 has heard consistently is that the club is like a second family to the children. That is especially true for 15-year-old Mikaela.
"I like how we're all a family," Mikaela told CBS4.
She's hoping to win the Youth of the Year Award, which honors teens who excel in school, in sports, and in leadership and service. She hopes winning Youth of the Year as well as all her work at the club will help her achieve more than her parents.
"They have good jobs, but they didn't have the college career, and I know I need the college career to go bigger in life," she explained.
Mikaela is a natural role model at the club. She reads to younger members, lends a sympathetic ear to her peers, and most importantly mentors her own sister.
"Just because my dad is gone, doesn't mean she has to blame it on herself," Mikaela said.
The girls dad has been incarcerated this year, putting a financial squeeze on the family.
"My mom works, but to pay the bills, insurance and all… everything… it's just hard."
Mikaela turns to her Boys and Girls Club family for support, structure, and a little kindness at Christmas.
"Just getting one thing would mean a lot to me because someone spent their time and money just on me," Mikaela said.
You can help all the kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver by dropping of a toy at the CBS4 Care 4 Colorado collection on Thursday, December 17. CBS4 staff members will be at the King Soopers at Colorado & Yale from 4:30am to 7pm.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: More Information On Care 4 Colorado Toy Drive
Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.
