Jelly Bean Dance a success
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
The Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie – Strathmore Club, has only been in Strathmore since the summer last year, but they are already making themselves well known in the community.
“It’s gone really well, we’re running programs every day. It’s really growing quite quickly,” said Shannon Zieman, Program Coordinator for BGCA-Strathmore Club.
On April 1, the Torch Club, a leadership and empowerment program within the BGC for children ages 11 to 13, held a Jelly Bean Dance. They had to come up with fundraising ideas for the community, and for the club. She said the Torch members brainstormed a bunch of ideas and the dance was the one they settled on.
“They did really well, they had their canteen that was really successful and then we had lots of kids show up,” said Zieman.
She said the kids raised a little over $700 for their group. The dance was open to everyone in the community, and about 120 kids of all ages showed up to dance and have fun. The BGC plans to make the dance either an annual or bi-annual event, depending on the kids in the program.
The Torch Club is trying to raise money for a retreat in May, a weekend camp where Torch Groups across Alberta get together to have fun and make new friends; learn how to be strong leaders and make a difference in their community.
Zieman said the next fundraising project the club is planning in the community is to support club programs. BGC relies heavily on the support of the community to carry out our many programs and services to the youth and families in Strathmore.
Zieman said currently their focus is planning their 8 week long summer programs and recruiting volunteers. Volunteers are the foundation of our success. Volunteers are needed to help support programs and we are also looking for volunteers to sit on our Fund Development Committee.
Anyone looking to volunteer their time can call Shannon Zieman at 403-325-0134 or email szieman@bgcairdrie.com. Check out our website www.bgcairdrie.com for more information on programs and volunteer, employment opportunities.