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Bluebag Media
A safe place for
kids; a price that can’t be beat
GREENVILLE – “We charge $2 a year for a membership,” said Tom Jenkins,
director of the Greenville Boys & Girls Club. “Then we turn around
and give them a $7 T-shirt,” said club employee Justin, also known
locally as Dr. Dark. Jenkins grinned and said, “No, we don’t make any
money off of it, but the T-shirt is good promotion for the club.”
Jenkins has been with the club for 17 years. He added he’s been to a
number of Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. “Some are nicer
than this, but they also charge $20 to $22 a month for memberships.”
The Greenville club averages about 450 kids a month… “And the vast
majority of them wouldn’t be able to afford that.”
The club has a budget of $50,000 to $52,000 a year and gets the
majority of its funding from United Way. “We also take donations, hold
fundraisers like the 127 Yard Sale every year,” Jenkins said.
“We provide a safe place for kids to come after school for activities,”
he added, noting the club is for all kids, seven to 15. It is open five
days a week; Monday through Thursday 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 1 to 4
p.m.
Justin said one of their plans for the day was to teach kids to play
9-Ball; Jenkins added there was a time when all of the pool tables were
taken… “They had to get in line to play on one. Now, they’re all into
video games...
Read the rest of the article at Bluebag Media
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