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Thursday, Mar 28th

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You are here: Community Features Nellie the pony joins Boys and Girls Club

Nellie the pony joins Boys and Girls Club

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The Boys and Girls Club of Gallup welcomed a new equine member on Feb. 4, courtesy of the Gallup Wells Fargo branch.  The stuffed pony, Nellie, was earned by the Gallup Wells Fargo employees for exceptional customer service, and they in turn decided to gift it to a local nonprofit organization.

Antonio Marquez of Wells Fargo attended Boys and Girls Club in his youth, and felt strongly that they deserved Nellie this year.

“It’s inspirational to see people helping these kids build a future,” he said.

“We knew this giant pony would bring a smile to the kids’ faces,” added Garret Waltz, also from Wells Fargo.

Nellie certainly didn’t disappoint.  Smiles abounded as the kids rushed to welcome their new pony.

Marisa Hutchison, current CEO and former unit director for Boys and Girls Club of Gallup, was thrilled at the honor and the joy it brought her members. She has been in Gallup for over ten years and working with Boys and Girls Club for eight of them.  “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I love it,” she said.

Boys and Girls Club provides a safe space for children to learn, study, exercise, read, and build life skills after school and during the summer months.

“All kids are welcome here,”  Hutchinson said.

Reyes Garcia has been working with Hutchison for three years now, and he enjoys being able to help kids reach their full potential.

“I try to keep them motivated,” he said. “They can do anything they set their minds to.”

Boys and Girls Club of Gallup is always accepting donations to help provide healthy food and learning materials for its members. To donate or inquire about enrollment, call (505) 488-2378 or visit 416 W. Princeton Ave.