GCBGC Celebrates National Boys & Girls Club Week

Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club celebrated National Boys & Girls Club Week from Monday, April 9 to Friday, April 13 to recognize the invaluable service Clubs and Club professionals bring to communities like Glen Cove. Almost 150 local youth participated each day during the week long festivity filled with fun activities revolving around this year’s theme, ‘A Place to Become’.

Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club is an after school program serving more than 600 youth between the ages of 6 and 18. The Club offers life enriching programs, experiences and services where kids can learn, play and grow with the help and guidance of supportive mentors and youth development professionals.

To commemorate National Boys & Girls Club week and the role the organization plays in in Glen Cove, the Club held a variety of events each day starting with Twin Day, with members and staff dressing alike, to demonstrate the bond that exists between staff and youth. Career Day on Tuesday engaged community leaders who shared career insight, experiences and advice. Career Day volunteers included The Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department’s 2nd Assistant Chief Marvin Tate, former Fire Chief Dave Spy, Junior Firefighter Mason Kletter and Former Fire Chief Bill Basdavanos; Queens District Attorney Shanise J. O’Neill; Northwell Health, Glen Cove Hospital Pharmacist Allison Raich, Respiratory Therapist Tom Howard; U.S. Marines Staff Sergeant Kenney; and NYS Veterans Home Medical Social Worker Roderick Watson.

Wednesday featured Care Day with members engaging in service to the community by collecting toilet paper for the homeless. On Thursday, the Club celebrated the organization’s Youth Development Professional and the impact they make in the lives of members’ every day. Special recognition was paid to Education Director, Sean O’Callaghan and Associate Director, Desirae O’Neill for their commitment to the Club and Club kids. On Friday, the Club held an Open House Day with member families visiting and engaging in activities.

Boys & Girls Clubs help millions of kids and teens develop essential skills and make lasting connections. National Boys & Girls Club week shines a spotlight on the 61,000 caring, trained youth development professionals who mentor kids and teens every day in 4,300 Clubs across the nation and on U.S. military installations worldwide. Skilled staff help kids dream big and realize their full potential. Whether they have aspirations of becoming an all-star athlete or an astronaut, a Boys & Girls Club is a place to become.

To find out more about Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club, visit www.glencovebgc.org.