Thank you to The Democrat for their recent coverage letting the community know about the financial challenges we’ve been facing at the Boys & Girls Club. In response to many questions of when — if — we will reopen, the answer is yes!

We intend to resume our youth services programs by Aug. 24, and will be open at least three days a week.

We’ve had several very generous concerned citizens answer our call for help. We are very grateful to you. We’ve received word that our club will receive grant funding from the Mississippi Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. We’ve submitted applications to other sources for proposed club funding. We’re planning fundraisers.

The club is still operational and will reopen, but even with some grant funding, we will continue to need community support.

Like many non-profits, the Boys & Girls Club has already been operating on a budget that has been cut to the bone. We have one full-time employee. Everyone else is either seasonal or part-time. When you equate that with the number of children we serve, the return on a person’s donation is staggering.

Many families have benefited from our services. Where else can someone else pick up your child from school, make sure their homework is done, and give them recreation at no charge? It’s time that everyone — families who access this service, businesses and citizens who care about the future of our youth and our community — step up and help raise some funds. And those funds stay local helping to provide programs for our kids!

Volunteer to serve on a committee; attend our golf tournament on Sept. 25; have a fundraiser at your church or business; offer your time and talents serving as a board member, or volunteer at the club.

The Boys & Girls Club serves the whole community — we want — and need the whole community involved!

Call or come by, 601-304-5548, 64 Homochitto St., Natchez. E-mail us at boysmiss@bellsouth.net.

Thank you.

R. Fay Minor

chief professional officer