Boys and Girls Club hosts Celebration of Excellence

MERIDIAN, Miss. (WTOK) - The East Mississippi Boys and Girls Club had a packed house Thursday night for its biggest fundraiser.. Celebration of Excellence had not been held since 2019 because of the pandemic. The guest speaker was Dr. Calvin Mackie, founder of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) NOLA.

Boys and Girls Club executive director, Ricky Hood, spoke with News 11 about what’s ahead for the organization.

“I think this community has always been very supportive of the Boys and Girls Club. Also, being supportive of children. I believe we can always do more. This dinner is a way to give this community an opportunity to pat themselves on the back for the things they do for the children of the community. We hear so many negative things, but we are one of the groups that are out there on a regular basis that’s doing some positive things with young people,” said Hood.

“Without our community and the funding they provide us, we will not be able to do the things that we do today. We are really excited to be back, and we want to let the community know we are still here,” said club president, Danny Russell.

If you want to help the Boys and Girls Club, you may donate at the website eastmsbgc.org.