Austin’s House is honored by Carson Valley Chamber

The Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce recently named Austin’s House this year’s Nonprofit Organization of the Year at its Community Awards Gala.

Austin’s House was honored for caring for 65 children who attended over a dozen different schools over the last year. The staff drove the children to 415 medical and dental appointments, cooked and served 4,720 meals and held 10 birthday parties.

Shele Pandl of Century 21 Clark Properties nominated Austin’s House for the award.

“I believe this organization truly exemplifies the values of teamwork, perseverance, commitment to children and passion for a worthy cause that Douglas County and the Carson Valley are known for,” Pandl stated. “They partnered with the community to build a wonderful facility, and more importantly, have provided compassionate care to abused and neglected children for more than seven years. In good times and bad, Austin’s House has proven ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way,’” Pandl said.

Austin’s House, the only emergency children’s shelter in rural Northern Nevada, is sustained through donations of cash, food, clothing and other basic necessities.

Children from Carson City, Douglas County and surrounding communities are placed at Austin’s House after being removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.

According to Conrad Buedel, president of Austin’s House Board of Directors, the facility has cared for a record number of children over the past year and the need for its services has increased significantly since opening in 2007.

For more information or to participate in this year’s Austin’s House Appeal for Kids campaign, call 775-267-6711, or go to www.austinshouse.org.