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Boys and Girls Clubs take part in week-long celebration

Mahari Miller "gets down" at National Boys and Girls' Club week with Jordan Bates.
By Erin O'Connor

Staff Writer



WEST SPRINGFIELD - Boys and Girls Clubs across the country took part in the celebration of National Boys and Girls Club Week (NBGCW) between March 25 through March 31 and the West Springfield facility was no exception.

"The whole country and all of the boys and girls celebrate the impact the club has on the kids' lives through sports, the Torch Club and other club programs," Devon Lambert, the club Athletic director and organizer of the event said to Reminder Publications.

The "Idol Competition" was the event for March 28 and it involved boys and girls competing for first place by using their talents such as singing, soccer skills, dancing and jump roping to see who could make it to the top.

The grand prize went to Loana Soria.

Boys and Girls Club week is said to be an opportunity for members of the community to see how the clubs do their work.

Some of the ways in which Boys and Girls Clubs interact with the community include homework help, open houses, parades, picnics, performances and fundraisers.

For more than 75 years NBGCW has been a tradition in the Club's history. It originated as a grassroots effort in the northeast. The week currently spans coast-to-coast and overseas on U.S. military bases.

The idea of the Club began in 1860 with several women in Hartford, Conn. who believed that boys who roamed the streets should have an alternative. The name changed to the Boys and Girls Club of America in 1990.

If interested in volunteering for the club located at 615 Main St. or signing a child up for the programs then call 736-1831 for more information.

April is Boys and Girls Club month.