BATTLE MOUNTAIN - Roughly 275 dads, stepdads, granddads, uncles, big brothers and K - 8 students showed up for the fourth annual WATCH D.O.G.S. dads and kids event held on Sept. 27.
The event took place at the Battle Mountain Civic Center from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. where the men and the kids they brought were treated to their choice of hot dogs or chili dogs, chips, cookies and bottled water.
The beverage and food stations were run by youth volunteers from Honor Society and supplied by the Battle Mountain Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the Owl Club Restaurant.
Dads and Kids Night is the first of two events held each year to encourage men to volunteer in their child's school as positive male role models through the WATCH D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Students) program.
This first event usually fills the first half of the school year and this year was no exception. While there are still days available, WATCH D.O.G.S. are now scheduled to volunteer in the Lander County School District almost every school day from October through December. The second event, Donuts with Dads, which will be held on Jan. 18, 2013, is expected to fill the remainder.
Eleanor Lemaire Elementary School and Austin Schools Principal Amy Nelson and Battle Mountain Junior High School Principal Michelle Caramella began the event by letting the men in attendance know how much they appreciate having them volunteer in their schools.
Both principals made a plea to the fathers and father figures of students attending both schools, stressing the importance of their continued involvement at school as their children get older.
"It's easy and fun to get dads to volunteer when their kids are little because the kids practically beg them to come," said Nelson. "As they get older, they may not be as vocal about it, but in their hearts, they really want and need their parents to stay involved. They may not want you to hang out with them or talk to them very much while you're there, but they like knowing you are there for them and it really does make a difference."
Nelson went on to say that engaged fathers and positive male role models have been the "missing link" in education, in her opinion, and noted the difference she has seen since the WATCH D.O.G.S program was brought to our school district by members of the Battle Mountain PTA four years ago. PTA also funds the local program.
Next, school district Parent Involvement Coordinator Krissi Tucker updated the crowd on the local and national success of the WATCH D.O.G.S program.
Nationally the program, which was started in one school in Springdale, Alaska, by concerned father Jim Moore, is currently active in nearly 2,200 schools across the country and has been recognized by Congress as a powerful program to engage fathers on a national level.
Locally, Tucker said there are more than 250 registered WATCH D.O.G.S in Battle Mountain alone but would like to see that number increase to at least 300 by the end of this school year.
Once the crowd was quieted down, a 10-minute compilation of news clippings about the history and progression of the WATCH D.O.G.S. program was shown. The video, which can be viewed at Fathers.com/watchdogs, included interviews with dads, stepdads and granddads who volunteer as WATCH D.O.G.S. as well as interviews with kids, teachers and principals.
In the video, Moore explains the importance of engaged fathers and father figures pointing out that nearly 40 percent of children in the United States of America live without their fathers.
The WATCH D.O.G.S program offers the opportunity to combat this epidemic of fatherlessness in our country. It offers fathers and father figures one more way to be engaged in their child's education. And the program is spreading rapidly throughout Nevada.
Lander County was the first northern Nevada school district to adopt the program four years ago. At that time, there were 11 schools participating all in southern Nevada, mostly Las Vegas. Now there are more than 38 schools throughout the state including several northern Nevada schools.
Throughout the event, 15 tickets were drawn for the door prize raffle. Winners were able to choose their prize from the "Man" table while the kids they brought chose prizes from the kids table.
Prizes were donated by local businesses and included some spectacular items such as fishing poles, fishing reels, clothing, gift certificates and even a cordless drill and driver combo kit.
When asked about the donations they received, Tucker said, "Our local business owners are extremely supportive. I work with just about every business in Battle Mountain at some point during the year and I am always amazed by their generosity and willingness to do whatever they can to support our local schools and families. Whether it is a donation of time, materials, advice or promotion, they are always happy to help. We are very lucky to have such a tight-knit community."
Last year, instead of a grand prize drawing at the beginning of the year, three names were drawn at the end of the year for three separate mini vacations which were donated for the WATCH D.O.G.S. and their families.
The first vacation, a trip to Reno that included a one night stay at Grand Sierra Resort and four day passes to Wild Island Family Adventure Water Park, was won by Dave Koll.
The second, a trip to Salt Lake City that included four day passes to Lagoon Water and Amusement Park and $100 to help with travel expenses, was won by Paul Ramsdell.
The final vacation was a staycation in Battle Mountain. This package included a season pass for a family of four to the Battle Mountain Swimming Pool and $100 in gift certificates for up to four local businesses of the winner's choice. That package was won by Scott Leffler.
Details of this year's mini vacations will be revealed during the Donuts with Dads event on Jan. 18, 2013. Having a drawing at the end of the year ensures that the winners are people who have actually spent at least one day volunteering as a WATCH D.O.G. in the schools.
Also, because the winners are drawn on the last day of school, and the vacations they win are good for the whole summer, families are able to go when it is convenient for them.
Tucker said that due to work schedules and financial situations, families aren't always able to take a big vacation.
"Our hope is that no matter what the situation, these mini vacations will allow the winners to spend at least a couple of days relaxing, engaging and making memories with their families over the summer," she said. "It's not the amount of time but the quality of the time spent together that matters most."
The one-hour event concluded with a video entitled "More Like a Dad" by Allen Krehbiel. The video, which can be viewed at fathers.com, in the video archive, features a touching song and slideshow depicting the events and memories made between fathers and sons from childhood to adulthood. Several dads stayed after the event to choose their day to be heroes in the hallways of our schools.
If you or someone you know would like more information about how they can contribute to the safety and education of our youth through the WATCH D.O.G.S program, please contact Tucker (775) 635-2889 or visit fathers.com/watchdogs.
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