Delaware was busy this fall collecting school supplies for Boys and Girls Clubs across the state. Because these Clubs benefit the kids across the entire state, Delaware chose to support the Boys and Girls Clubs in its community service project. The benefits of these Clubs speak for themselves. The Clubs are the fastest growing youth service agency in the state with 37 locations and provide more hours of service to youth than any organization other than schools and detention centers. In 2005, Boys and Girls Clubs provided 120,863 lunches/snacks to the children who participate in the Summer Food Program. In Sussex County, area police reported a 62% decrease in juvenile crime after the Western Sussex Club opened, and 60% of participants in our educational enhancement programs have increased at least one letter grade in each subject tutored.

After schools across the state collected supplies early in the fall semester, Cristine Layton (Wilmington University), Beth Parker (ECMC) and Melissa Rakes (Delaware Tech-Owens) sorted the supplies for delivery to Clubs across the state. Enough supplies were collected to serve four Clubs.

In Wilmington, Beth delivered supplies to the H. Fletcher Brown Club on Spruce Street and Clarence Fraim Club on Union Street, and in Dover, Beth stocked the Boys & Girls Club at Wesley College with new pencils, markers, crayons, paper, glue, backpacks, and more. Cristine delivered the supplies to the Club in Georgetown. All of the schools were extremely appreciative. A thank you note from the Clarence Fraim Club, expressed this gratitude:

Thank you to all of the schools for their donations.