Opinion : Club does many positive things for our ‘village’ : Sidney Herald, Sidney, Montana

Club does many positive things for our ‘village’

Published on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 7:08 PM MDT

Why a Boys and Girls Club in Richland County? That was the lead of an article written in February 2003 when the idea of starting a club in Richland County was just that – an idea.

With the hard work of community members, the doors opened for the Boys & Girls Club of Richland County in January 2004. The average attendance was around 40 children with the club dues being $30 per year. Money was raised through donations, fundraising and federal grants. Volunteers were needed to help with programs and to make sure the club was a safe place to learn and grow.

Presently, the average daily attendance is more than 100 members, and just as the attendance has grown, so has the needs. More volunteers are needed, as is donations. But to continue to register more members into the club, our community must step up and show its support, just as Reynolds Market did in its Pepsi promotion and how Valley View IGA is with its 12-pack soft drink coupon in today’s paper.

Comments on the Herald website state:

“We need to come together and help out this organization! Can any of you think of one after school program that has as many children? No is the answer because this is the only one! What would we do without them!? We all need to do something, each one of us!”

“Support our club if you can and help us to find ways to make sure this important program remains in our community. Remember it is about our young people and like it is said ‘IT TAKES A VILLAGE.’ ”

But are they just words? We hope not.

The needs within the county are numerous, and we have been blessed to have oil funds help alleviate much of those needs. This is just a reminder to not forget about our children. They are the future of our “village.”

Hillary Clinton stressed in her speech, “It Takes a Village to Raise A Child,” that “The village can no longer be defined as a place on a map, or as a list of people or organizations, but its essence remains the same: It is the network of values and relationships that support and affect our lives.”

Our children will thrive only if we as a community help provide for them. Are you willing to step up and show your support? Call 433-6763, e-mail bgclub@midrivers.com or go to www.richlandbgc.org today.

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