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The Suffolk Unit of the Boys & Girls Club celebrated a wonderful donation and a loving club.

T-Mobile donated $14,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia to support the Chesapeake and Suffolk Clubs. The Suffolk club celebrated with a T-Mobile Day filled with games and food.

The donation originally took place in October 2020. However, due to COVID-19, the club was unable to host any sort of celebration event. The Boys & Girls Club Suffolk Unit finally held one on July 16.

To end the normal day of the club’s summer program, the students spent the last two hours outside with games and music. Both the Boys and Girls Club and T-Mobile were present with information about the club and other resources for parents.

“I am very grateful for this donation,” said Montrell Scott, director of the Suffolk Unit Boys & Girls Club Inc. “I’m grateful to make an impact not only on my kids but the kids in the community to make a difference.”

Outside of the current meeting place of the Suffolk club, John F. Kennedy Middle School, students were enjoying fun times together despite the stifling mid-summer heat. Izzy the DJ was present to give the party a proper soundtrack as the kids played corn hole and had sack races. Pelican’s Snoballs came to help the kids stay cool with tasty ice treats. The kids also took the chance to say what difference the club has made on them and why they love it.

“This is great for kids who have been shut up all summer to get back out,” said Leroy Bennett, vice mayor of Suffolk and co-chair of the Suffolk Boys & Girls Club board. “It’s all about the kids. I try to work with the young people and mentor them and change their lives in a good way and what path to go. I want to be a good example of what they can be.”

During the event, kids who participate in the club took the opportunity to talk about their experiences. They shared their favorite parts of the club and what they like most.

“I really like the club,” said Darryl, who is 16 years old. “It’s something to look forward to, and it’s a chance to fellowship with people you can be yourself around.”

T-Mobile also donated pull-string bags with school supplies, cups, balls and information on how to get free internet for students kindergarten through 12th grade doing remote learning.

“It’s really cool that the kids will now have a head start on their school supplies for the next school year,” said Rebecca Myers, the resource development coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Virginia.

The money donated by T-Mobile was used to fund programs and for personal protection equipment and other supplies during the pandemic.

“I’ve been with the board for four years to come here and give back,” said Lakeila Powell, co-chair for the Suffolk Boys & Girls Club board. “They do a lot of good for the community, especially during COVID-19. It’s been a pleasure to serve as co-chair.”

Being an afterschool club, the club did not meet during this past year with the virtual and hybrid schedules. However, the club hopes to resume normal activities this coming year. Luckily, the club is open for the summer to help the local kids have positive activities.

Now, the club is getting ready for its only fundraiser of the year, the Oyster Roast Oct. 2, and hopes the community will come out to support as it has in the past.