Boys & Girls Clubs put together kid-approved holiday wish list
JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Highland Lakes provides a safe place to play, learn and eat for more than 200 Burnet County kids every day.
“If we keep them engaged, keep them coming back, then the likelihood they will be involved in a criminal act or tempted to use drugs, anything that could steer them in the wrong direction, won’t happen if they’re here with us,” executive director Bill Drake said.
So when the organization puts together a wish list for its Marble Falls and Burnet units, it tends to look pretty similar to a list any of their kids might write for themselves.
Drake said the club’s wish list can be broken down into five categories:
- Board games such as Connect-4, Life and Twister and any set of cards are always popular.
- Gym and physical education equipment such as soft-top scooters, dodge balls and dance ribbons
- A radio/stereo system is needed for the gym for general use and dance instruction.
- Art and school supplies for classes and tutoring
- Age-appropriate DVDs rated G, PG or PG-13
Drake said the Burnet unit serves an average of 65-75 kids a day, while the Marble Falls Unit averages about 140 children.
Anyone wanting to give to the club this Christmas can also do so with a donation. The club accepts donations via PayPal or credit card at its website, www.bgc-hl.com.
Families pay $15 per month for their children to go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Highland Lakes during the school year and $30 per month in the summer. Donations help with operations and keeping those fees low.
“We’re committed to being here,” Drake said. “And we look forward to another 15, 30, 40 or 50 years.”
jared@thepicayune.com