Boys & Girls Club moves to new location

Former elementary building gives group room to grow

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club made a big move this week. The club relocated from its original location on Milam Street to the C.K. Bender Elementary School building on Buchanan Road.

The doors will open at the new club Aug. 20.

The move affords the Boys & Girls Club more classroom space and more room outside for physical activities and sports, theerby increasing their capacity from 40 children to between 100 and 150.

“With the other location we were limited by number of people we could have in building so we always had waiting list and we were also limited by space we had outside,” said Maj. David Feeser, Salvation Army commander.

“Right now we have about 60 kids signed up but we’re putting up fliers at the schools so we expect more kids to sign up.”

The yearly membership fee is being waved for those who sign up for the new program and the only cost will be $25 a month.

Depending on the school district, children will either get picked up by the Salvation Army, bused in or transported by their parents. The program will be available Monday through Friday from the close of school until 6:30 p.m.

While at the club they will receive assistance with their homework and participate in enrichment activities.

“We provide age-specific programming in five areas— education, physical fitness, arts, spiritual development and also character-and-leadership develop so it truly is a holistic program for kids. This gives them access to things they didn’t have access to before,” Feeser said. “One of the focuses of the Boys & Girls Club is to make them productive members of society … and to give them the tools they need to make it in life.”

For more information or to get an application to join the club, call the Salvation Army at 870-774-2701.