By DOTTY NIST
To an audience of children participating in the South Walton Boys & Girls Club’s after-school program, Walton County District 5 Commissioner Cindy Meadows read a statement proclaiming March 23 through March 29, 2014, as Boys & Girls Club week in south Walton County.
Following the proclamation, students participating in the club program provided the commissioner with a tour of the newly-completed 34,000-square-foot facility, which is located on the South Walton Governmental and Educational Center property near the Coastal Branch Library. The tour was part of an open house event held at Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide.
Meadows was joined on the tour by Walton County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Executive Director Jim Bagby and Tim Norris, TDC chairman/South Walton Mosquito Control District commissioner.
The club had formerly served south Walton County youth for approximately 10 years in portable trailers on the property, pending the construction of the new facility.
The proclamation stated: “Whereas, the young people need professional youth services to help them reach their full potential; and whereas there are seven Boys & Girls Club organizations along the Emerald Coast—in Pensacola, Milton, Destin, two in Fort Walton Beach, DeFuniak Springs and South Walton—providing services to more than 1,958 young people annually; and whereas, Boys & Girls Clubs are places where great future start. They are at the forefront of efforts in their three priority outcome areas: academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles; and whereas, Boys & Girls Club organizations in our state help ensure that our young people keep off the streets, offering them a safe and supportive place to go and providing them with quality programs; and whereas, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast will celebrate National Boys & Girls Club Week, 2014, along with some 4,000 Clubs and more than 2 million young people nationwide; now, therefore, I, Cindy Meadows, District 5 County Commissioner of Walton County, FL, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM MARCH 23 THROUGH 29, 2014, AS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB WEEK in south Walton, Florida. And call on all citizens to join with me in recognizing and commending the Boys & Girls Club organizations in our state for providing comprehensive, effective services to the young people in our communities.”
The proclamation had been approved by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners on March 11.
A grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting by the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce are planned for the new South Walton Boys & Girls Club facility from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 22.
Information on the club is available by calling (850) 622-0602.
