Boys & Girls Club moving to L-E school

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club has finalized plans to move to a new, larger building this summer.

The club will move from 1303 Milam St. to C.K. Bender Elementary School in Liberty-Eylau Independent School District. The larger venue will allow the club to serve more children, increasing the capacity from 40 to 150. Club members will also have use of the gym, library and cafeteria.

The added space was much-needed. “One of the successes of the club is to be able to bring kids together like that. We were limited not just with classroom space, but with outside space,” said Maj. David Feeser, Salvation Army director. “We couldn’t do any kind of organized sports because we didn’t have room, but being at the new location, we’ll be able to take care of all that. Now we’re only limited by our imagination. Whatever the kids need done, we’re able to do.”

Club programming will enhance participants’ lives in several ways.

“One is we’ll be helping kids with education. We’ll be able to assist schools in getting test scores up. We’re also going to have character and leadership programs for some of the older kids,” Feeser said. “We’ll be able to help kids with physical health by having outside activities and sports. … We’re even looking at art and music and things like that. We’ll truly be able to help the whole child.”

Operations are set to begin Aug. 18 at the new site. Liberty-Eylau and Texarkana Independent School District will help by busing members to and from the club. The Salvation Army is working to provide transportation for children from Texarkana, Ark., School District.

“We’ll be giving information out to kids at the end of the school year,” Feeser said.

The program will be very affordable for families, with an annual membership fee around $20 to $25 and a monthly rate of $15 to $20.

“Regular day care and after-school programs are expensive to operate. With the help of our partners and donors, we’re able to bring that cost down. We’re passing it straight on to parents,” Feeser said. “Scholarships will be available for those who are in desperate need to take care of kids, so we can have slots for as many kids as possible.”

The Clay Eichler Memorial Fund is providing needed funding for the first year of operation.

“Their goal for fundraising is $150,000 to $180,000 for the first year,” Feeser said.

An open house will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 5 at the new site, 2300 Buchanan Road, Texarkana, Texas.