Dear Guild Members:

As a recent Guild member, I have become increasingly aware of all the wonderful programming and contributions provided by The Children's Service Guild of Southern Nevada to our community's children that fall under the protection und supervision of the Family Court system. However, I write this letter today not as a Guild member, but rather as a grateful parent whose family has been directly touched by the generosity and kind contributions provided by the organization.

As you may or may not know, all of my seven children are adopted. As a result of their pre-adoption circumstances, they all came into contact with the Family Court and Department of Family Services. Most of my children were identified as special needs and were in foster care at one time or another. Some even spent time in temporary housing at the Child Haven campus. A few of them remember their pre-adoptive life and some of them have limited to no recollection. For those that recall or have fleeting visions of their earlier life, some of the memories are not so pleasant and scarred with the disruptive encounters of parental drug addiction and abuse, poor and squalor living conditions, lack of food. homelessness, constant moves, terrifying violence and the intervening response of police and bright lights.

For a little kid having to experience such chaotic and overwhelmingly frightening events is heartbreaking to say the least. Anger, loneliness, confusion, severe sadness, insecurities. being incredibly scared of the circumstances and the unknown, being separated from loved ones, as well as the physical and other emotional sears and impairments, are all common feelings and tragic effects of such horrific events that my children, and others alike, have experienced. Nevertheless, during their difficult journey. one of the constant rays of hope and happiness was the presence and services provided by The Children's Service Guild of Southern Nevada. With your help, my children (as well as others) were, and have been able to experience happier days during their ongoing and otherwise dismal ordeal. Some of my children, while at Child Haven, recall times doing lighthearted arts and crafts, coloring pictures. participating in holiday parties, being able to play with other children in a safe and kid-friendly environment and simply put, encountering adults that provided ongoing kindness, care, smiles. and positive reinforcement. These are just some of the ways that all of you have touched the young lives of so many.

The Guild never stops giving loads of compassion. The group is a constant force of extending good will and humanitarian work to children in need. With this in mind, children in need are ALWAYS at the forefront for al that the Guild does – educational supplies and equipment for Child Haven, limitless fund-raising events to provide additional services and programming assistance, emergency clothing for kids at Child Haven, and of course the scholarship program for graduating seniors which my daughter Heather has personally benefitted from. The list of good deeds and help provided by the Guild is ongoing and endless.

With the Guild's approaching 50th anniversary, my husband. Chuck Soberinsky, and myself would just like to say thank you for all that each and every one of you have done to help our children, as well as other young lives in the community. The Guild is a beautiful blessing that continues to help children and encourage. Your relentless work is a testimony to all that is good in this world. Please know that your kindness and caring acts, no matter how small, have a lasting effect on a young person. My children are living proof of this. For so many and the children that have experienced so much grief and trauma in their young lives, the Guild remains a shining star. Thank you for all that you do. Happy'50th birthday, Children's Service Guild of Southern Nevada!

Forever grateful,

Nancy M. Bolton