Tough As Nails holds successful first community workshop

On Feb. 8, Tough as Nails held its first community workshop entitled "Share the Love" at the Rosalia Middle School gym.

The goal of the event was to assemble 60 activity kits for hospital donations. The activity kits will be donated to Sacred Heart Children's Hospital including the child psychiatric ward in Spokane.

Tough As Nails is also working on reaching out to other hospitals to extend the reach of the non-profit.

There were more than 30 people in attendance who packed the 60 kits in just under 25 minutes. The kits at this event included two nontoxic fabric markers, a blank pillowcase, a pair of fuzzy socks and a personalized Wish tag.

The Wish tag holds a handwritten wish. This is usually a short message that gives encouragement, comfort and support to those who will be receiving the kits.

Along with the kit assembling at the event, there was also snacks, music and a photo booth for those in attendance.

"We are greatly appreciative to all who took time from their day to help us assemble kits," said Caryn Bothman, one of the founders of Tough As Nails. "We are looking forward to hosting more events in the coming months."

Bothman mentioned that if any group or organization is interested in helping assemble kits they are encouraged to reach out to Tough As Nails at toughasnails@tankits.org.

The non-profit was created by Bothman, her three daughters and husband in 2018 to honor their six-year-old cousin who battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

For 2020, Tough As Nails has the goal of donating 50-100 kits per month.

"Our mission is to create and donate craft, activity and care kits to hospitalized kids with an emphasis on community involvement," Bothman said. "We invite people to be involved in whichever capacity best suits their desire to serve, whether it's financially, donations of supplies or gifts of time."