Posted 7:59 am Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Boys and Girls Clubs Expanding to Lindale
LINDALE -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of East Texas said it has taken the first steps to expand to Lindale.
The Tyler-based youth service group received a $25,000 donation from the Food Fast Children's Charities to establish a site at Velma Penny Elementary School in Lindale, BGCET announced.
The organization would provide supervised after-school care on the campus that included homework assistance and enrichment activities.
Students in kindergarten through sixth grade would be eligible to attend.
An Advisory Board led by Red Brown is overseeing development of the site.
"Opening a Boys & Girls Club in Lindale is a significant investment in the future of our community," Brown said in a statement released by BGCET.
"Nothing is more important for the future of Lindale than the proper teaching and mentoring of our children."
Lindale ISD Superintendent, Stan Surratt, said, the district is excited about the partnership. "Their organization does a great job helping kids, and that is our main duty here at the school -- to help kids."
Jay Misenheimer, president of Food Fast Children's Charities, said, "When I found out that the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Texas was considering a club in the Lindale area, I went directly to Red Brown to get all of the information I could. Red and his advisory board had a great concept and their ideas fit right into Food Fast Children's Charities mission."
Also serving on the Lindale advisory board are Ginger Sims, vice president, and members Bryan Bradford, Pam Burton, Mike Combs, Shelby Glover, Scot Kuslak, Casey Neal, Tim Pratt, Stan Surratt, Carolyn Todd, Joann West, Heather Wilson and Kelli Young.
BGCET has headquarters at 504 W. 32nd St. in Tyler and offers after-school sites at TISD's Andy Woods, Bell, Caldwell, Douglas, Jack, Owens and Rice elementary schools and Cumberland Academy.
It also sponsors recreation sports leagues and special events for youth.
