A Penny For Your Thoughts

Partnerships are important to everything we do in our community, and that importance was demonstrated last week at a lively celebration of the new partnership between the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) Culmore Character Club and Cox Communications. More than 50 youngsters gathered at the Culmore United Methodist Church to enjoy ice cream, music, and a few speeches about the new partnership. For decades, the church has provided space and resources for programs serving the Culmore community.

The children presented a brief concert directed by World Children’s Choir director Sandra Hanes, and participated with guest musician Kofi Dennis, a Wolf Trap drummer, who got everyone involved using small basket-like instruments with rice or beans inside to make rhythmic sounds. The music partnership has brought additional opportunities to Club youth.

Cox Communications contributed $5000 for Club programs, and plans a long-term relationship with the Club by providing volunteers and free cable and high-speed Internet service to the Club’s computer lab. Cox’s Public Affairs Manager, Tania Hindert, attended the celebration, and brought a television crew to record the festivities. Mason District School Board Member Kaye Kory, BGCGW Board Chairman Leslie Atkins, and I also spoke.

This summer the Club served 20 teens in a leadership camp, and 50 youth ages 6-12 during a six-week summer day camp. A similar program is operated every day after classes during the school year. Through partnerships, the original Character Club has expanded from a small after-school program serving only elementary age children to a year-round Boys and Girls Club serving youth from 6-18. The Club provides supervised activities and a safe and nurturing place for children in the Culmore area. Future plans include partnering with the Korean American Youth Association (KAYA) to provide language and music classes in a Saturday school at the church.

If you are interested in having your child become a member of the Club in the fall, are interested in donating time or money to the Club, or just want to learn more about this wonderful program, please contact the program director, Wonhee Kang, at 703/820-5206, or visit www.bgcgw.org.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will host a public hearing this evening from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Willston Multicultural Center, 6131 Willston Drive in Falls Church, to present plans for a pedestrian bridge over Route 50 near Seven Corners. The pedestrian bridge, which has been discussed for years, now has funding identified and is in design. The bridge will connect the residential apartment areas of Willston with the Seven Corners Shopping Center and its transit hub. The VDOT presentation begins at 6:00 p.m.

Don’t forget National Night Out on Tuesday, August 3. Turn on your porch light, stroll through your neighborhood, or get together with your Neighborhood Watch to promote community cooperation and keep your neighborhood safe!