Holiday celebrations can bring excitement and joy to little ones, but the season of celebration can also be difficult for families who need a little extra support. That’s where the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield comes in.
Year-round, the Club provides activities and resources that are constantly changing to meet the needs of the children. When the holidays roll around, those engagements are themed to reflect the various holidays celebrated by the Club’s families. Program and Facilities Director AJ Kriha and Licensed Childcare Director Charisse Balicki share
some of the ways the Club makes the holidays special for the families it serves.
Within the Club’s building, children from preschool through high school age are involved in musical celebrations, art projects, games, and service projects. One event that has been held for the past several years is the "Christmakwanzaakah Concert" that celebrates different cultures. This performance incorporates various faiths and lets all the Club’s members feel included.
Some of the older Club kids are showing an interest in community service, says AJ, and this is the time of year when they get to explore giving back. The high school-aged Keystone Club has put on a Veterans’ Breakfast, for example. The spirit of creative ideas flow throughout the club in all staffing areas, according to AJ, noting that one of the transportation staffers came up with the suggestion of putting families on one of the Club busses to go view holiday lights – allowing parents to take part without having to play the role of driver.
The Westfield community is instrumental in helping Club staff provide for those families who may not have the resources to provide gifts. “We know our families; we’re connected. We know when our families are going through tough times,” says AJ.
“We are blessed to have a community that’s engaging as well – we get calls from entities who have donations to make, such as a bunch of coats. We have a family that does a shoe drive – looking to provide specific footwear based on needs for style and size. Those donations are very generous,” says Charisse.
Individuals, organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, and other agencies provide help to families in need. A donor may want to support a child of a specific age, gender, or family. Regardless of the donation, these contributions are always anonymous.
To provide support, you can call the club and speak with Chief Operating Officer Kellie Brown, who will make the connection.
Sometimes, based on grant money, the Club provides family meals. Last year the Club provided Christmas hams with all the fixings. “We have board members who donate hams and we get those out to families,” says AJ.
If you would like to help a Club kid or their family this year, reach out at 413-562-2301 to find out how you can contribute.