Children across the county are still staying engaged and learning new skills.
In April, the Hylton Boys & Girls Club in Dale City reopened to kids of essential employees.
Dale City residents aren’t the only ones who are using its programs.
The club has been serving students from all three branches — the Hylton Club, the General Heiser Boys & Girls Club in Dumfries, and the Martin K. Alloy Boys & Girls Club.
Parents living in the Dumfries area have been dropping their children off at the General Heiser Club, according to Mayor Derrick Wood. They are then bussed over to the Hylton Club.
“I’m excited because this year, during the COVID epidemic, the Boys & Girls Club raised their hand and they stepped out, and they said, ‘What can we do to help essential workers continue to go to work and not worry about where their children are going to go?’” said Wood, who is a board member for the Prince William County and Manassas Boys & Girls Clubs.
The Boys & Girls Club has many supporters.
One of them is the Town of Dumfries.
The Dumfries Town Council sets aside funds in the budget for the non-profit.
It provides about $10,000 in support each year, according to Dumfries Town Manager Keith Rogers.
“I think the Boys & Girls Club is a great and worthy cause and what they’re doing … to continue in spite of having to lay some people off, in spite of having to reduce their staff — but just to continue to stay a course in changing childrens’ lives,” Wood said.
To donate to the Boys & Girls Club or to become a food provider, email Senior Vice President of Operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Jim Almond at jalmond@bgcgw.org or email Senior Director Of Operations for the Virginia region of the Boys & Girls Clubs Of Greater Washington Nadia Pedersen at npedersen@bgcgw.org.
