Tucson Local Heroes: Nonprofit Staff Didn't Stop During Pandemic

TUCSON, AZ — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. Together with Ring, we're working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Laurie Wetterschneider, who nominated the entire staff of Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson. Wetterschneider has been on the Board of Directors for the organization for 30 years and is awed by the staff's continued commitment to the at-risk youth they serve, even in the middle of a global pandemic. The state shut down earlier this year but the staff continued to work and care for the children of essential workers and first responders throughout the city.

Name: Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson Staff

State: AZ

Home town: Tucson

Hero's job: Child care or elder care

Relationship to nominee: I have served on the Board of Directors for over 30 years and I marvel at the staff's commitment to our at-risk youth.

Reason for recognition: Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson serves over 12,000 at-risk youth throughout the six Tucson clubhouses. During this unprecedented time of COVID-19, our clubs opened to the children of the first responders and and essential workers.

One thing to know: They only charge $20 per school year for use of all club facilities and if a child cannot afford it, they can do some work around the clubhouse to earn their membership.

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here.

This article originally appeared on the Tucson Patch