Our View: Help Boys & Girls Club, attend Festival of Trees

The Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line has received statewide attention for the work it does providing students with after-school and summertime programs.

Youngsters can have fun, practice on computers, play athletic games or get help doing their homework and a whole lot more.

In a time when most parents are working and often unable to take care of kids after school lets out, the Boys & Girls Club has been a godsend.

Who knows how many of these young people would get in trouble if it weren't for the wholesome activities put on by the talented staff at the Boys & Girls Club?

But the club, like so many valuable programs in our community, faces tough financial times.

Government support has declined as the demand for the club's services has increased. Nearly 200 young people use the club's after-school services. The place is bursting at the seams, and there is a waiting list.

Q. What can you do to help the Boys & Girls Club?

A. Go out and have a good time.

The fourth annual Festival of Trees will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, at the former Bi-Mart building at Holiday Village Mall.

Fourteen community groups have decorated trees that are works of beauty. The trees will be auctioned off, as will all kinds of donated items. Refreshments of all kinds and food will be available.

People from all walks of life attend the festivities. Laughter is the main ingredient in the success of the program.

For $25, you can munch on the food, enjoy the jokes, chat with friends and maybe bid on one of the trees. And you can go home knowing that you helped out one of the most valuable nonprofit groups in our community.

And if you want to see the trees but can't make it Friday, today from 7 to 9 p.m. there will be an open house at the former Bi-Mart for families to come enjoy the beautiful trees at no charge,. Tickets for Friday's event will be available.