Boys & Girls Club celebrate Day for Kids

(Newburgh) - The “Boys & Girls Club Day for Kids” is a day set aside each year to celebrate and honor America’s children. Rev. Nelson McAllister, Chief Professional Officer of the Glenn E Hines Memorial Boys & Girls Club said, “This day is about celebrating kids, children, grandchildren, or any child by spending some meaningful time with them.”

Research shows that when adults spend meaningful time with children, it helps children develop a positive image and a sense of belonging, usefulness and purpose. Parents and other child care givers know that there is a relationship between the amount of meaningful time adults spend with children and issues facing youth today, such as discipline problems, violence, substances abuse and other dangers to children’s health and happiness.

“The community, and especially parents/care-givers were asked to spend some focused positive time with their children today,” Rev. McAllister said. And that’s what they did. As part of the national effort by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to spend some meaningful, positive time with their children, local parents came to the Glenn Hines Center on Liberty Street last Saturday to share the fun, informative and learning activities that were provided.

Some of the informative and learning activities included information booths set up by the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, Newburgh Free Library (books and handouts), Youth Bureau (with information on youth services) and the Family Health Center performed free medical screening’s.
Additional fun activities were set up in the gym, including a gigantic bubble jumping blow-up, a coloring contest, face painting, games, food and prizes.
This was the first time the Glen Hines Center participated in the national event, however Rev. McAllister plans on continuing the tradition next year, and each year thereafter on the third Saturday in September. Pictured Above: Chief Professional Officer Rev. McAllister with youth that participated in the "Boys & Girls Club Day for Kids."