4 Million Kids And Counting Celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week

Boys & Girls Clubs of America Invites Public to Discover Local Clubs

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Mar 24, 2015, 01:00 ET

ATLANTA, March 24, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Boys & Girls Clubs of America kicked off National Boys & Girls Club Week this week to celebrate the nearly 4 million kids served. During the week, Boys & Girls Club locations across the country and on BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations around the world are opening their doors and inviting the community to experience Clubs first-hand.

The weeklong celebration honors the more than 4,100 Clubs who offer evidence-based programs and advocate for positive outcomes for youth in the areas of academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good citizenship and character. Through Club tours, open houses and community events, Clubs will have the opportunity to showcase their best-in-class programming and highlight the important role they play in enhancing the lives of young people.

"For more than 100 years we've provided a safe place for kids to spend time out-of-school, where they can grow into healthy, productive, successful young people and achieve great futures," said Jim Clark, president and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "National Boys & Girls Club Week is a special time when we recognize the amazing impact Clubs have on communities and youth throughout the country. It's an exciting celebration that we look forward to year after year."

During National Boys & Girls Club Week, supporters can visit bgca.org/bgcweek to take a virtual Club tour, sponsored by Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. Viewers can travel through actual rooms that are inside local Clubs and discover how Clubs help young people reach their full potential.

More than 400 Clubs from around the country also showed their Club spirit by decorating Club doors as part of the Blue Door Decorating Campaign, presented by Lowe's. The public can vote on bgca.org/bgcweek until Friday March 27^th at 12 p.m. EST for their favorite door and the winning Club will receive a $5,000 Lowe's gift card.

This year to proudly shout out their achievements, Clubs will also post photos of their kids holding signs that share where their Great Future started. To follow these photos on social media, use the hashtag #GreatFutures.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.

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SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America