The Power of Giving Back

Between Spring Fling, catching up on school work, scrambling for those last points in class and of course, those everyday obligations, it seems as if McDaniel College students are busier than ever. However, on April 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., students have the opportunity to take a break from their hectic schedules and participate in Comcast Cares Day at the Westminster Boys and Girls Club.

Comcast is one of the multiple sponsors of the Westminster Boys and Girls Club, along with Koons Toyota of Westminster and a couple of small local businesses. A few years ago Comcast donated a handful of flat screen computer monitors, creating the opportunity for children at the Club to access the internet and do online assignments during the designated homework time.

This year, Comcast is promoting their Comcast Cares Day at the Boys and Girls Club. Volunteers are needed to help paint the Club, clean up the tri-street area surrounding the Club, and participate in a landscaping project on West Main Street and Monroe Street.

For each person that volunteers, the Boys and Girls Club will receive a $20 donation from Comcast.

“When people volunteer, they are not only giving back to the community but they are helping to offset costs and keep the Club up and running,” said Claire Lawson, a sophomore who volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club throughout the school year.

The Westminster Boys and Girls club is an essential asset to the Westminster community. It provides children a place to go after school which in turn keeps them off the street.

According to the Club’s mission statement, its goal is, “To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.”

However, without funding the help of volunteers this mission statement is impossible to achieve.

“Each year we charge a family $20 for the after school program for the entire year, but in actuality, it costs the club $2,000 per child,” said the Westminster Boys and Girls Club Program Director Dave Sampson.

According to Sampson, there are a total of 95 kids enrolled in the Club’s after school program, with a daily attendance of between 55 and 60.

Outside of Comcast Cares Day, McDaniel students work with the Boys and Girls Club throughout the year. Every year, The Westminster Boys and Girls Club teams up with McDaniel College to provide students the opportunity to work and volunteer. Currently, the Boys and Girls Club employs 20 students through work study positions, and has another four students who volunteer.

Lawson said, “I have a very busy schedule, as do many of us. However, seeing the smile on the kids faces’ down at the Club makes taking an hour out of my day worth it.”

The Boys and Girls club will be taking volunteer registration throughout the week, as well as, the morning of. To RSVP please contact Dave Sampson at dsampson@bgcwestminster.org