14-06-2025
Boys and Girls Club treated to vacation Bible school, School Supply Giveaway
Jun. 14—Beltline Church of Christ sponsored its fifth annual Oak Park Boys and Girls Club one-day vacation Bible school and School Supply Giveaway on Friday to bring children together and provide needed school essentials.
From 9 a.m. to noon, children from the Boys and Girls Club, Beltline Church of Christ (BCC) and the community learned about the story of Jesus healing the blind man through music, games, food and crafts at Oak Park Elementary.
BCC gives children an introduction to faith they may not get elsewhere, said Maurice Ayers, director of Oak Park Boys and Girls Club.
"They give the kids the opportunity to learn about the word of God, to introduce them to God," Ayers said.
BCC provided school supplies because many of the kids needed help obtaining them, said Anna Higginbotham, Beltline Church of Christ VBS and School Supply Giveaway coordinator.
"Our entire church gets behind this event and sponsors it, and that's a huge blessing, because it takes a lot to get an event this size pulled off — and purchasing all the school supplies," Higginbotham said.
The event began with an interactive song and dance session led by BCC youth minister Sam Welsh.
The vacation Bible school consisted of five stations with different activities that incorporated this year's theme, Higginbotham said.
Activities included a relay race, a game of dodge ball and a skit by the BCC youth group to relate to the children, said rising high school senior and BCC youth group member Annabelle White.
"And we just try to make fun snacks that relate to them and fun little crafts and things they can take home to remember the lessons," White said.
The BCC youth group held work days to prepare for the event and the skit, White said.
"I was really excited for the skit. I loved doing it and watching the kids laugh and stuff," White said.
Each year approximately 100 to 175 children attend the event, Higginbotham said.
The age of the participants varies each year.
The event was open to those in the community who wanted to attend.
"I mean, the more the merrier, you can never get enough people to learn about God," Ayers said.
Children made mud pudding as a snack, and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs were served for lunch around noon.
Boxes of school supplies were distributed at the end of the program.
Boys and Girls Club at Oak Park appreciates what Beltline Church of Christ does for the kids, Ayers said.
"And it's an awesome thing that a church would actually pour into the kids, take a day out of their members' time and come out and enjoy the kids and enjoy the environment," Ayers said.
Beltline Church of Christ is always searching for ways to help, Higginbotham said.
"We are always looking for outreach opportunities, and ways that we can help our community," Higginbotham said.
— or 245-340-2438.
