Boys & Girls Club looks forward to 2012
By Tom Brubaker
(Editor's note: Tom Brubaker is the new chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Altamaha Area.)
Your local Boys & Girls Club in Jesup makes life better for 90 children and their families every single school day and during vacations and summers, too!
The Club is a positive place for kids, and it is more than just an after-school hangout. The Club provides tutoring, homework help, computer classes, art classes, music classes, outdoor playtime, health and wellness education, nutritious snacks, and fun for students ages 5-13.
The Club is on a roll, too! Just six months ago, the Club served 60 children a day! The Club enjoys new leadership--local Miki Thomaston is serving as head of the Board, and as a native of South Georgia, I am serving as the new chief professional officer. Africa Matthews, known by the kids as "Miss Africa," continues in her role as unit director, and Deborah Spellman continues her work as office administrator.
The Club expects 2012 to be the best year in the Club's eight-year history because of two significant improvements in the Club's ability to serve our community:
•Jan. 16 will be a community-wide "Day of Service" to help give our facility on South Eleventh Street a facelift. Volunteers and civic organizations will come together to make our building even better, even more fun for our youth! This is the perfect way for your civic or church group to make a lasting difference in the community!
•The Club plans on reopening its Teen Center in the fall, giving our teens a fun, safe place to spend time and grow with education, games and technology. A major kickoff event during football season will mark the opening of this gathering place for our local teens.
Does the Club change lives? Read what some of our Club members say:
•"It is fun to play with people your own age. You can also go to different classes like computer class, gym, game room, and art class. You can do EVERYTHING! I have fun with the teachers, especially Ms. Ayesha."--Club member, age 12.
•"I meet new friends."--Club member, age 7.
Our Boys & Girls Club is supported solely by your tax-deductible donations and by grants. Giving a gift to the Club helps our youth every day. Investing in the Club makes sense for today and builds our future.
To learn more about how you can help the Club, contact me at (912) 230-5203 or visit the Club at 310 S. Eleventh St.