Fifty Dollars. That’s all it will cost you. It’s an amazing deal. One I could hardly believe. Fifty dollars buys you an annual membership to the local Zionsville Boys and Girls Club, complete with free afterschool care for your kids for the whole year. Yes, I did say “free.” Actually, it’s part of the fifty bucks.
As I was touring the Club East on Mulberry Street, I was amazed at what I saw – gym, arts and crafts, rec room for community dances, study area, ping pong tables, and even a driving simulator for teens to practice. The excitement began as children poured in, elementary through high school, around 3:30 from buses that picked them up at each school (that’s part of the 50 bucks too). At both the Club West and this location, there are about 130 students on average that use the facility daily.
One room I had to revisit from my tour was the art room, named the Whimsical Room by former volunteer turned staff member, Bill Moore. He showed me the Name in Lights Wall with drawings of names by each of the young artists. He said it’s the first thing he has his students create because it’s the most important word he/she will learn and should be displayed proudly. The names covered the wall and it’s clear there was jockeying for position to see whose name could reach the ceiling. I didn’t ask how the names got up there.
What an amazing find as I wandered around town this week! It is a wonderful community center which I learned is completely supported by the community with no funding being provided by the national boys and girls club.
Fifty bucks and your support IS making a difference. Stop by and check it out for yourself. Have a wonderful Spring Break. By the way, the Boys & Girls club will be open if you’re in town!