With school back in session, hundreds of kids took time out from homework Saturday to celebrate a day of fun dedicated to children that also provided some lifelong lessons.
You can tell by looking at the fields of Morton Middle School this was a day of fun. "I like the slides,” said Destiny Donaldson. This was the second year for the Girls and Boys Club celebration simply called Kids Day.
“Number one, we celebrate going back to school and number two, we want to make sure that we have a chance to show kids there's a lot of good things going on in this community,” said Girls and Boys Club President/CEO Ivan Gilreheh.
It may have appeared the games and music were what brought the kids in. “You get to do fun stuff, I just like it,” said 8-year-old Marcus Rouse.
It was clear this day was about more. It was about security for the kids. “This community actually be good, you don't have to worry about people be snatching people up and it's all just having fun, no worries and stuff,” said 10-year-old Keith Forte.
"It's a day where just kids are celebrated and we try to get the parents out here and get the volunteers out here, so the kids know there's adults involved in their lives that actually care about them and want to be a part of their lives,” said volunteer Gwyn Williams.
More than 600 children took part and more than 100 volunteers helped put it together, but the volunteers weren't just giving. “What do I get out of it?” said Williams. “I just love being around the kids. I have just as much fun as they do."
The role models provided a lasting impression, which will help the kids cope with whatever the future holds. A main goal of the Girls and Boys Club is to teach healthy lifestyles. The kids learned about nutrition and the importance of doing well in school.
