The children living at the Nest domestic violence shelter have been enjoying summer in the courtyard, thanks to donations of sporting equipment from the Elks Lodge #2086 in Ruidoso.
“We know how important family is,” Al Buse, Exalted Ruler of the Elks said. “We had an end-of-the-school-year party and had leftover materials.” The Elks Lodge donated soccer balls, a basketball, a Frisbee, footballs and a bad-mitten set for the children’s recreation program.
Buse said the Elks Lodge saw it as an opportunity to provide playful items for the children at the shelter. “We know how important the shelter is to the community,” he said.
The Elks Lodge has shown their support through cash donations as well. Recently, they donated $2000.
The focus on the children at The Nest is important. According to Nest Advocate Zia Miner, “Children of any age who are in a domestic violence situation, even if the violence is not specifically directed towards them, are greatly affected. The emotions that stem from this type of environment may cause children to act out or draw away from others. Through our program, we help them bring back a sense of normalcy.”
Teaching children how wrong and harmful domestic violence is a way to stop domestic violence in the future. Many of the children who come to The Nest were not able to enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood at home. By donating the sports equipment, the local Elks Lodge has provided hours of fun for the kiddos.