Celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week, March 21-27

Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound joins Boys & Girls Clubs across America to celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week, March 21-27, by hosting several events to emphasize the importance and value of the Clubs in Pierce, Mason, and Kitsap communities. This week has been celebrated nationally for more than 75 years. The organization invites everyone to come visit any of the 9 Branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound and see first-hand the impact being made on today’s youth.

“Boys & Girls Clubs are increasingly playing a vital role in many young people’s lives,” said Mark Starnes, President/CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound. “In today’s economic climate, we offer a positive place for kids whose parents are seeking an economical, safe and enriching environment for their children.” The Clubs offer a safe place for kids to go afterschool with instructive activities in the field of education, the arts, and recreational activities. Each day Club members are given a healthy snack and dinner following USDA guidelines. While it costs the organization $4,500 to provide these services per child each year, parents are charged a fraction of the cost, with a Club mentality that no child will be turned away based on inability to pay. Last year the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound awarded $369,000 in membership and program scholarships to youth so that each child could attend the Club and benefit from the programs and services offered.

Boys & Girls Clubs are unique in the field of child development due to five identifying characteristics. Clubs provide:

• A safe place to learn and grow,
• Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals,
• Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences,
• Hope and opportunity, and
• Peer, staff and volunteer recognition.

Clubs celebrate Boys & Girls Club Week in a variety of ways, all with an emphasis on the five core Club program areas: Character & Leadership Development; Education & Career Development; Health & Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Activities in these five core areas all support Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s overarching goal to help each child reach their full potential and BE GREAT by securing Academic Success, living a healthy lifestyle and distinguishing themselves as young leaders.

The Al Davies Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound will celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week with the BE GREAT theme:

• Brainy Bookworms (Sunday) – Kids read as many books as they can for prizes
• Edible Eats Everywhere (Monday) – Parents provide dishes and menu for a cultural food fair
• Go Green (Tuesday) – Kids create recycle bins and an energy audit will be held
• Radical Rockin Races (Wednesday) – Relay races, tournaments, and a dance
• Egg-cellent Exercises (Thursday) – Day dedicated to physical health to include fitness challenges and recipe cookbook creations
• Awesome Attire (Friday) – Wacky fashion show and clothing drive for Haiti
• Together Tonight (Saturday) – Family movie night and family style dinner

To learn more about these activities and to find a Club in your area, contact the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound at 253.502.4600 or visit www.bg-clubs.com.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound benefits 11,000 children and teens at 9 branches and 7 outreach sites in Pierce, Mason, and Kitsap Counties. The Clubs offer programs designed to enhance personal growth and education, tutoring, computer skills, delinquency prevention, the arts, sports training, league involvement, and much more. Through quality professional staff and a fun, positive environment, the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound assist thousands of kids in developing much needed life skills, self-esteem, and positive values. For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, please call (253) 502-4600 or go online to www.bg-clubs.com.

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