#Gift2Giving: Guardians of the Children Offering Support, Courage for Area Youth

UNION GROVE – For any adult that’s ever made a court appearance, it can be one of the most terrifying experiences in life.

For a child, it’s even worse.

Guardians of the Children – Belle City is a local nonprofit that assists abused and neglected children in Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties.

If summoned to testify, the adopted “littles” can breathe easier knowing they’ll enter the courtroom with their own entourage.

“They’re our heroes,” said Kelly “Siren” Stein, Guardians of the Children – Belle City Treasurer.

“A lot of the littles say the only reason they’re able to go up and talk about what happened to them is because we’re there. They can look up at us instead of the perpetrator.”

The nonprofit has over 30 members. You can often hear them coming long before they arrive on their Harley Davidsons, decked out in leather, tattoos and shades.

“We’re a very welcoming group,” said Gert “Neptune” Grohman, Guardians of the Children – Belle City President. “Only a couple of us are scary.”

The organization accompanies area children in the courtroom approximately 20 times a year, according to Grohman.

Grohman spent 10 years as a firefighter/EMT. He’s witnessed firsthand the effects abuse can have on a child.

“I saw a lot of things during that time that got me motivated to join the Guardians and give back,” Grohman said.

Stein shared her own story of how she was abused when she was three years old.

“I didn’t come out with that story until I joined the Guardians,” Stein said. “I held it in for 38 years.”

In support of Guardians of the Children – Belle City, Community State Bank’s Kristi Koehn joined 14 of her coworkers and donated through the bank’s seventh annual #Gift2Giving employee-driven donation campaign.

Community State Bank’s Barb Blazina, Ryan Boransky, Nate Buchanan, Denise Engelhardt, Ellen Galvan, Linda Hrupka, Karen Jorgensen, Shanandoor Kanter, Josh Koehn, Dave Moyer, Gretchen Neu, Nicole Ranow, Katie Stolp and Sarah Watkins.

Guardians of the Children – Belle City is one of 17 area nonprofits chosen as a recipient of over $15,000 raised through the campaign.

Community State Bank gives each of its employees $150 to donate to a nonprofit organization of their choice. In addition to the bank-provided funds, Community State Bank matches any employee donation up to $150.

To read more about Community State Bank’s #Gift2Giving campaign, visit www.csb.bank/gift2giving.