I was speaking for the Boys & Girls Club at a 6:00 a.m. United Way campaign this morning when I met the officer manager who was excited that their agency speaker was from the Boys & Girls Club. She had been a member of the Clubs, worked in the Clubs, and her kids have gone to the Clubs.

This is not an uncommon experience. Twice last week I met two of our past members who were working at their place of business. They smiled and hollered, “Hello Mr. Mark!” We were able to catch up on what was going on in their lives in the few minutes available to us but it reinforced my belief there are so many who have benefited from a life at the Club. Whether they attended as child, worked there as a young adult, or they have used the Clubs for the development of their children, the Clubs have played a vital role in their family’s life long development. It is what we do… providing a safe environment for kids after school where they get help with school work, guidance in making good decisions, opportunities to be mentored by positive adult role models, while they are having fun!

You don’t have to get up and go speak at 6 a.m. to find the impact of the Boys & Girls Club, you will find it everywhere in the day to day workings of our community.