Three of our Boys & Girls Club locations hosted fun, family-friendly events throughout the month of October for Club members and their guardians. Our organization is proud to offer our Club families opportunities to come together, build meaningful relationships and participate in a variety of activities from special dinners to game nights.
The Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club in North Port hosted a family dinner night on October 19, and welcomed nearly 60 guests to enjoy Sonny’s BBQ, as well as, a drawing for prizes, board games and ping pong and air hockey competitions. Families could also have their pictures taken by Forever Anchored Photography.
The Robert and Joan Lee Boys & Girls Club in Venice hosted a Halloween-inspired event on October 24. Outback Steakhouse donated steak, chicken, mashed potatoes and salad for dinner. After the meal, families decorated cookies and carved and painted pumpkins. Special thanks to Grace United Methodist and First Christian Church for donating the pumpkins. Families also participated in a hilarious mummy game where children wrapped their family members in toilet paper.
On October 25, the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club hosted a spaghetti dinner in celebration of Lights On Afterschool, which is a project of the Afterschool Alliance that is dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs. Since 2000, Lights on Afterschool has been celebrated nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America’s children, families and communities.
Teens from the Keystone Club and Club Cafe at the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club organized a Fall Festival fundraiser on Friday, October 26, for younger Club members complete with food, sweet treats, game stations and prizes. The teens created a variety of activities from “Pop the BOO-lloon” and face painting to Monster Bean Bag Toss. All proceeds from the event benefited the Keystone Club and will allow them to participate in opportunities to further develop their leadership skills with special focus on academic success, career preparation and community service.
The Newtown Estates Park and Roy McBean Boys & Girls Clubs will be hosting Halloween celebrations during the evening of October 31. Families at the Newtown Estates Park Boys & Girls Club will come together in costumes for dinner, dancing and entertainment. The Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club will host its annual Trunk or Treat event where children will trick-or-treat from decorated car trunks that fill the Club’s parking lot. Trunk or Treat is in partnership with the Sarasota Police Department and will also feature prizes for the best trunk decorations, free candy and refreshments and costume contests.