Vail Valley: Nonprofit groups hold a fund-raiser Thursday

Two Vail Valley nonprofit groups, Meet the Wilderness and SOS Outreach, will benefit from a “girl’s night out” event June 25.

The event is at the home of Bonnie Vesey, 92 Allen Circle in Homestead, from 6 to 9 p.m.

SOS Outreach and Meet the Wilderness recently combined their efforts to better use their resources and provide consistent, year-round programming to underserved youth. The inaugural summer of year-round programs has begun, with more than 200 local youngsters participating.

Programs include rock climbing, week-long wilderness trips and trips to the Colorado National Monument for fourth-graders.

Cash is always welcome, but the groups also welcome equipment donations. They could use:

• Tarps: Heavy duty, waterproof 8×10 or 10×12 feet.

• Backpacks: 3000 to 5000 cubic inch backpacking packs.

• Tents: two-man to eight-man tents are needed.

• Raincoats: Waterproof raincoats with hoods, adult sizes.

• Ponchos: Heavy duty waterproof rain ponchos.

• Sleeping Bags: 10-20 degree synthetic bags, regular or long adult

• Sleeping Pads: Foam cell or self-inflating.

To learn more, call Michelle Hartel 970-926-9292, or Bonnie Vesey, 376-4431.