STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Learn about the Papoose Club, a nonprofit volunteer organization that supports youth groups in the Wood River Valley, when the group holds an Open House Social on Monday, Sept. 23.

The event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. that night at the Wood River Sustainability Center, 308 S. River St. in Hailey. It will include drinks and appetizers provided by Al McCord.

The Papoose Club started in the 1950s as a club allowing Moms to take turns babysitting while others went skiing. It evolved into a group that raises funds from flipping pancakes at the Wagon Days pancake breakfast and the Holiday Bazaar held every year in early December.

The funds are dispensed to various organizations involved with youth.

Club members also put on the Nordic Cup and the Kindercup ski race, which is the kick-off for ski racing for youngsters as young as 3.

“It involves a low-key fun, flexible commitment. And it ‘s worth it when you get a thank you letter from kids you gave money to,” said Krista Gehrke, who has been involved in the club for 10 years.

“Just the Kindercup alone is reason enough to belong,” she added. “I did it when I was three and it was amazing fun. And my son landed on the front page of the paper when he did it at 3. He just started training with the national Paralympic team to go to the 2022 games in Beijing.”

Those who intend to attend are asked to RSVP at vp@papooseclub.org to make sure there are plenty of appetizers.

For more information, visit www.papooseclub.org.