The Bath Road location of the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston recognized and celebrated a new source of funding from Britt Smith and his Kingston company.
Homestead Land Holdings Limited has donated $700,000 over the span of eight years, the largest donation the local Boys and Girls Club has ever received.
“There was an initial cheque that came that we’ll be using to purchase the play zone behind us and some other updates in the facility. The rest will be spread out to $50,000 a year,” said Peter Kingston, the president of the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors.
According to the Smith family, supporting local youth is a top priority.
About 5,000 kids visit the Kingston Boys and Girls Club each year.
Whether it’s to splash in the pool, eat a scrumptious snack or explore the jungle gym, every corner of the more than 60,000-square-foot facility is packed with action.
Evan McAllister, a club regular, has been visiting what he calls his favourite place for almost a decade.
“There’s a bunch of people that make you feel accepted. It’s just a fun, safe place to be. It’s really helped me with my life… gets me scholarships… gets me jobs,” said McAllister, who is now the youth recreational leader.
McAllister is looking forward to two more years in the teen program but hopes to continue his involvement with the organization after that.
“I think I spend more time here than I do at my house, just because I love it here so much,” McAllister said, a testament to the club’s motto ‘Great Futures Start Here.’