Two organizations each give $5,000

MOSES LAKE - The Boys & Girls Club of the Columbia Basin received $10,000 in donations from two organizations this month.

Allstate Foundation presented the organization with $5,000 Dec. 5. A second $5,000 donation came in from Weyerhaeuser on Christmas Eve.

Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Brant Mayo said the donation from Allstate Foundation helps run some of the Boys & Girls Club programs.

The donation from Weyerhaeuser helps with tasks such as supporting staffing levels and keeping equipment updated.

Mayo said the organization typically operates with a $300,000 to $400,000 yearly budget. Contributions this time of year are similar to last year, he said.

"We're right about where we were (last year)," Mayo said. "Nothing too dramatic one way or the other."

Allstate agent Debra Graser, who helped facilitate the donation, said this year is the third year the organization received a grant from Allstate Foundation.

"There's just a lot of low-income children around this area, and it's just so important for them to have mentors and have a place to do homework, and to have a place to go," Graser said.

Graser is a member of the Boys & Girls Club board.

Mayo said The Boys & Girls Club relies on consistent donors. As with most non-profits, the organization has just enough money to survive, he said.

"You're never doing OK," Mayo said. "You can always use more."

The Boys & Girls Club has approximately 1,000 members, and an average of 160 to 170 children show up at the organization each day, Mayo said.