Community Reaches Out to Make Improvements at Texas Boys & Girls Club

The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of Ellis County, Texas, received a boost when several donors came together to donate and install a new $11,000 fence around its sports and recreation field in Waxahachie. Kids had not been able to play on the field because it did not have a fence as required by state law.

Lowe's donated $2,500 in materials, and Dani Mackaroy, a member of the Ellis County Advisory Council, also donated $2,500 from her $15,000 annual donation towards the project. Rock and Lawn Services installed the fence posts and managed the installation, and the Blue Knights police motorcycle club supplied volunteers. In addition, the Avenue Church of Ellis County supplied paint and about 30 volunteers to paint a wall and the portable storage units at The Salvation Army complex as part of its Be-The-Church volunteer day project.

"With the completion of this project, our Boys and Girls Club will now have the opportunity to play outdoor soccer games, host camping sessions, health classes and other activities," said Lieutenant Robert Coriston, corps officer for The Salvation Army of Ellis County. "With this development, we hope to increase our current intake from 80 to more than 100 kids by January 2018." The outdoor sports and recreation field will complement the center's indoor basketball and volleyball courts, computer lab and other facilities.