2018 Annual Report

A PLACE
WHERE I FEEL
IMPORTANT
What is a day like at the Boys & Girls Club? In our
ongoing new series, we spend a day with a Club
member to give our audience a snapshot of what our
Clubs provide to members.
Concrete is a truly beautiful area, nestled where the
Baker river converges with the powerful Skagit river
and surrounded by the Cascades. Heading south
on Superior Ave., the road travels right underneath
the High School building before opening up to a separate
valley and a crisp view of a lone snow-covered peak. The
entire Concrete School District sits on one campus, with K-6
and 7-12 separated by a vast field. Each now has a Boys &
Girls Club that operates from when school gets out at 2:30
pm till 6:30 pm, Monday thru Friday.
Days at the Concrete Elementary Boys & Girls Club start with
a snack in the cafeteria when school lets out. Then, members
line up by grade and head over to an adjacent modular
building. This particular Friday was clear and cold. When Site
Director, Lela Kennedy, announced the day’s activities, she
added at the very end “...and yes, we will get a chance to
play outside,” an announcement met with cheers by Club
members despite the frigid temperature. “But first,” continued
Lela, “it’s time to announce some awards.”
All Clubs give monthly awards to members who display
exemplary behavior in several categories such as Youth of
the Month, Homework All-Star, Good Sportsmanship Award,
and Artist of the Month. “Can I get a drum roll please,” Lela
announced before each was award was given, and each
drum roll seemed to carry on longer than the next, as kids
seemed eager to get out their wiggles. Then it was time to
break out into the days’ activities; wreath-making, flag football,
basketball, and a spelling bee.
Kenna chose wreath-making to start. Kenna, age 10, is in 5th
grade and became a member when the Club first opened in
October. As she cut out her paper plate wreath and began
to paint it green, Kenna was eager to share about her Club
experience. “I used to not know how to do division, and I
was doing bad at math, but here they make you good at
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