Boys & Girls Clubs See Families Hit Hard By The Economy
BRIGHTON, Colo (CBS4) - The Smart Girls club meets in the education room at the Robert M. Shopneck Branch of the Boys and Girls Club. The club is for girls ages 9 to 13. It's part of the Boys & Girls Club program that helps develop character.
"We're trying to learn about good things and to be respectful and all that," said Mariah Baca Chavez, 9, a 2 year member of the club.
Baca Chavez and her sister, Elizabeth, spend all their after school time at the club and take part in many of the program.
"We actually go home when the club closes," Baca Chavez told CBS4.
Home for the girls is their grandparents house. They've lived there since they were just babies.
"Like our mom didn't want us," said Elizabeth, 9.
"So we live with them," Mariah finished.
This year the family's finances are tight. The girls grandfather lost his job last year.
"We lost our house. I've lost my car. I've lost my car. I've lost my job. I've lost everything, but I'm still thanking God that I still have my family," said Guadalupe Chavez, Mariah and Elizabeth's grandfather.
Even though the sisters know there won't be much for Christmas, they're still hoping for some Holiday magic.
"People say that Santa's not real. So they don't believe in Santa. They think their parents bring the presents," Mariah explained. "But I think Santa's real and his elves."
You can be Santa for Mariah and Elizabeth and all the kids at the Boys and Girls Clubs by dropping a new toy in the Care 4 Colorado bins at any metro area King Soopers store. The collection bins will be out through December 31st.
- Written for the Web by CBS4 Special Projects Producer Libby Smith
