Volunteers roll up sleeves to help club
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RONAN – A group of nearly 60 volunteers got their hands dirty Friday during the Community Build Day at the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County. The community-driven all-day work party attracted volunteers of all ages as they pitched in and did all sorts of tasks from landscaping to window washing.
“We are really community-minded about what we do,” said Amy Vaughan, director of operations for the Boys and Girls Club. “It’s important to have the community be involved and be part of this. It was community money that built this (through donations).”
The outdoor playground set was the primary focus during the build day. Vaughan said the club was able to make the playground project possible after receiving a grant from KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit that builds playgrounds. The playground is located behind the building on what was an open piece of property. Children will be able to jump, climb and swing in the outdoor activity space.
Volunteers were involved with other projects around the club’s new facility where Total Home was once located on U.S. Highway 93. The tasks included light carpentry, cleaning and landscaping. Club organizers utilized volunteer help to get the club ready for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. On Tuesday, Nov. 27, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Ronan will host a dedication and grand opening for the new club from 4-7 p.m.
When the remodel is complete, most likely at the end of next month, the new 19,000-square-foot clubhouse will be more than five times the size of the club’s current facility, which is currently in operation. Once the new clubhouse opens, there will be plenty of room to entertain up to 200 youngsters every day. Feature attractions will include a kitchen and dining space for meals, a technology center, an art room, a game room and a large space that may be utilized for any number of projects. The plan is to have the facility building open for children during club hours. When the club is closed, the community can utilize it for events and meetings.
