The Nancy Moore Thurmond Boys & Girls Club on Laurens Street had two good reasons to throw a little party Monday afternoon.
"This is our kickoff for National Boys & Girls Club Week," said Shawn Risher, the executive director of the Aiken club. "It's also the kickoff for our 20th anniversary celebration. This club was started in Aiken in 1995."
Capt. David Phelps, of The Salvation Army of Aiken, was there because his organization is the parent agency locally for the Boys & Girls Club. Others attending the event included South Carolina Sen. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, and South Carolina Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken.
Nancy Frost, the regional service director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America also showed up and so did Tim Simmons, a founder of the Aiken club.
The Aiken club received a certificate of gratitude and appreciation from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in honor of its 20th anniversary and a check for $100 from the Aiken Mid-Day Lions Club. Sarah Beaulieu gave a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from United States Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., to the club.
A large group of the Aiken club's young members sat quietly and applauded after each presentation.
There were refreshments for everyone to enjoy afterward.
The Aiken Club serves approximately 130 children each year. It offers education, career and leadership programs. It also has health, life skills, arts, sports, fitness and recreation programs.
Dede Biles is a general assignment reporter for the Aiken Standard.