Anonymous benefactor to match donations to Boys & Girls Club

An anonymous donor has pledged to match up to $25,000 of donations from the community for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada by the end of the year. Director Hal Hansen said it comes at the perfect time.“It will get us into the black,” Hansen said. “We’re operating at a deficit right now.”For the second year in a row, the former Carson City resident and business owner who wishes to remain anonymous has made the offer to the club.“We just couldn’t believe it,” Hansen said. “You just don’t expect a big donation like that.”He said he anticipates the community will come through on its end of the deal.“We met the match last year,” he said. “In fact, we exceeded it.”Hansen said the club relies heavily on individual contributors.“The most money given in the U.S. is by individuals,” he said. “It’s not by foundations or business.”And the recession has taken its toll on that. As the economy has slumped, he said, more people are in need of the affordable child care the club offers, with enrollment numbers exceeding 2,500 kids. At the same time, he said, the amount of money people donate has declined. The foundation grants the club once relied on have become more competitive in a market where more organizations are in need, he said. “We’ve had a 4 percent increase in enrollment,” he said. “We haven’t given raises in four years.”He said one full-time position was shifted to part-time.“We hate to do any more of that,” he said. “If you do, you’re going to lose people. We want to make sure we can keep the good staff we have.”Hansen said he hopes the promise of a matching donation will encourage more people to give.“Everybody likes that,” he said. “They see their dollar can be doubled. It’s very attractive.”You Can HelpDonations may be dropped off at or mailed to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, 1870 Russell Way, Carson City, NV 89706 or at the website bgcwn.org. For more information, call Hal Hansen at 882-8820.