To kick-off
National Boys & Girls Club Week, Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County invites
the community to join more than 4,100 Clubs across the nation in its effort
to empower America’s youth by supporting the ‘Youth Bill of Rights’ on
change.org.
The effort calls
attention to the importance of providing children and teens with a place and
platform where they are encouraged to express their concerns and engage in
community initiatives. Along with the Bill of Rights, Boys & Girls Clubs of
Porter County will host community events and activities that highlight the
many ways that the Club is empowering the next generation of leaders in our
Porter County communities.
The Youth Bill of
Rights, written by Club members, is an example of how youth are supported at
Boys & Girls Clubs. Young voices have the power to create social and
community change and in this election year Club teens are advocating for
their rights and voices to be heard.
“Boys & Girls Clubs
of Porter County is dedicated to making a positive influence on children and
teens in our communities. We are proud of the work that our Clubs are doing
to make this community great,” said Ryan Smiley, president of Boys & Girls
Clubs of Porter County. “During this celebration we hope that the community
is motivated by the things going on at our Clubs and are inspired to support
our efforts.”
With the theme
‘Celebrate Red, White and Boys & Girls Club BLUE,’ National Boys & Girls
Clubs Week, March 7-12, will feature the many ways Boys & Girls Clubs of
Porter County is opening the door to great futures for children and teens
Porter County.
During the week,
the following activities and special programs will be happening at Boys &
Girls Clubs of Porter County. Community members are invited to participate
and take Club tours all week long:
*Â Monday,
March 7: Duneland Club is hosting a Favorite Teacher Day. Teachers are
invited to visit the Club, interact with their Club students, and learn what
the Club has to offer. This is an open activity from after-school until the
Club closes at 6:30 p.m.
*Â Tuesday,
March 8: Duneland Club is inviting Chesterton High School students to
visit the Club from 3 to 5 p.m., take a tour, and learn what the new Club
will have to offer once expansion begins at the end of March. Portage Club
will be unveiling their new Comcast Internet Essentials Computer Lab. In
partnership with Comcast, this lab is now open to the community from 12 to 2
p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. The grand opening of the lab will take
place from 5 to 6 p.m.
*Â Wednesday,
March 9: South Haven Club is excited to host a ribbon cutting on their
Club’s new ArcelorMittal STEM Incubator Lab. Join our Club members in
celebrating this exciting new Club room and program from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Valparaiso Club is hosting a Basketball Demonstration Clinic for those who
registered for the Spring Basketball League from 6 to 7 p.m.
*Â Thursday,
March 10: Duneland and South Haven Clubs will be holding a community
service project by collecting water to be shipped to Flint, MI during their
water crisis. The South Haven Club is partnering with Northwest Indiana
Truck Club who will ship the water to Flint. The goal is to collect 25+
cases of water. The South Haven Club is requesting all water donations be
given by March 10. For more information, contact Kristen Baker or Jason
Kegebein at (219)-759-2565. Duneland Club’s water drive begins on
March 10. For more information about this Club’s water drive, contact Joe
Juarez at (219)-926-9770. Valparaiso Club is hosting a free dance for youth
ages 5 to 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. This is open to all youth both members and
non-members.
*Â Monday -
Thursday, March 7-10: Valparaiso Club is inviting all children who are not
members to attend the Club for free. The Club also will be holding a prize
raffle during the dance on Thursday. Prizes will include a grand prize of a
$20 gift card from a list of available choices.
Boys & Girls Clubs
of Porter County’s Kidstop sites will also host activities all week long
including Jeopardy on Monday, March 7; Spirit Day on Tuesday, March 8;
Community Service Day on Wednesday, March 9; Healthy Habits Day on Thursday,
March 10; and Bring in a Friend and attend Kidscamp for free on Friday,
March 11.
Also during
National Boys & Girls Clubs Week, Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute and
Computer Services, Inc. are serving as Blue Jeans for Blue Door sponsors. On
Friday through the whole month, Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute employees
will pay a small fee to wear blue jeans. Computer Services, Inc. employees
will be doing the same on March 11. Their fee for wearing blue jeans,
matched by their companies, will be donated to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter
County.
Learn about
membership, volunteer opportunities, or how to make a tax deductible
donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County by phoning 464-7282, or
visit bgcpoco.org, facebook.com/bgcpoco, and twitter.com/bgcpoco
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