Courtesy Boys and Girls Clubs of Utah County

While the headquarters for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County is tucked away on the east side of Provo, their presence is felt in numerous area schools.

During the Christmas season, the club and its sponsors join hands and hearts to donate to children and families in need.

The holiday season can be an especially stressful time for some of these families and through the generous support of local businesses and individuals, the club has been able to provide Christmas gifts, food, coats and shoes to Utah families and children in need.

“My heart is full as I see people coming together in extraordinary ways to support our community,” said David Bayles, Executive Director.

Over the past month, the club collected and distributed Christmas gifts to over 310 children in the community. The club’s Sub-for-Santa program provides both necessities like coats, shoes, and clothing along with toys, games and bikes for kids.

Courtesy Boys and Girls Clubs of Utah County

In addition to Christmas gifts, the club also delivered 250 Christmas dinner kits to families in Utah, Wasatch and Washington Counties that included a ham, rolls, pie, stuffing, vegetables and mashed potatoes. The club also handed out 2,400 snack boxes for kids with enough snacks to last through the holiday break.

Through its history, the club has developed community partnerships that allow for children and families in greatest need of support to be helped quickly and efficiently.

“As a single mom, I am so grateful for those who are willing to help my children have a wonderful Christmas. I have taught my kids that Christmas isn’t about the presents, but it’s nice to know that they’ll have something under the tree to be excited about,” said a club mom in a release. “Thank you to all those who have helped my family this year.”

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Utah County is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive and responsible citizens and leaders, Bayles noted.

“We appreciate the generosity of our community in supporting Utah families during the holidays,” Bayles said. The Club would like to thank all those who helped make this Christmas season a little brighter for so many, including: Village Inn, Studies Weekly, Acumen Learning, YouScience, Kroger, Spanish Fork Crossfit, Podium, and countless individuals and families.

Programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. The club accepts donations and volunteers on a year-round basis.