Regional Boys & Girls Clubs’ facility undergoes improvements

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region’s large facility is getting spruced up inside.

Work on the clubs’ Lucy Ann Boddie Brewer Unit off West Raleigh Boulevard started recently, and the plan is to soon start work on the gymnasium part of the facility.

Clubs CEO Ron Green said in a recent interview that clubhouse’s namesake had high standards. Brewer, who lived from 1931 to 1994, served on the clubs’ board and was a member of the Rocky Mount-based Boddie-Noell business family.

A member of the family, Mayo Boddie Jr., is on the clubs’ board and is a past board president. Brewer’s son Joseph also currently serves on the clubs’ board.

Green made clear that he and his team try to make sure such high standards are applied to the maintenance of the Lucy Ann Boddie Brewer Unit, which also is important because of the positive impact it has on local youth.

“When you freshen up the building for kids, they get excited,” Green said.

Green also said of the youth who come to the facility, “When you ask them to do better, they want to make sure you do better as well.”

James Silver, who is the health and wellness coordinator at the facility, said in a recent interview that he likes what he sees so far.

“It shows that we want to give them a clean, safe environment to be a part of,” Silver said.

Silver pointed out that a fresh coat of paint was much like a new haircut.

“It just makes you look like a brand-new person,” Silver said.

Silver is back with the clubs after having worked for a stint as an Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

“We just want to provide a place for kids to go after school and during the summer,” Silver said. “If they’re off the street, they’re not in our jails.”

The painting project is being aided in part by a $100,000 state grant to help pay for capital improvements at the facility.

N.C. Rep. Allen Chesser, R-25th District, sent emails to agencies, organizations and elected officials in Nash County regarding requests for state funding.

Earlier last year, Chesser toured the Lucy Ann Boddie Brewer Unit to get a first-hand look at the impact the regional Boys & Girls Clubs have on area youth.

Later this past autumn, Chesser presented the clubs with a ceremonial check.

Chesser in a recent interview said of the facility and the clubs, “That’s a cornerstone of the community, and they do good work there. So, I’m happy to support them in their effort.”

Ground was broken on the facility in 1989, and in 2015, the facility was named in Brewer’s honor.