Jake Weller

Clearwater Paper Corporation donates $62,000 to make Boys & Girls Club a safer place for kids. The Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland County (BGCCC) received the donation to support its ongoing culture of child safety.

BGCCC did a self-safety audit and found opportunities to improve on its child safety practices. Representatives from Clearwater Paper Corporation met with Club staff and Board Committee to develop a plan that would not require using Club's operating funds to correct issues. Part of the improvements to the Main Club is new fencing around the outdoor areas. It increases the size of the play spaces and makes it safer for the children.

"Supervising large groups of children, especially in open spaces, can be challenging. You must be proactive when it comes to safety and not wait until something unfortunate happens. We're excited that Clearwater Paper shares this sentiment and is willing to partner with us to keep kids safe." - Keeynan Pharr, Operations Director, BGCCC

"Clearwater Paper Shelby is delighted to be able to help the Boys and Girls Club keep kids safe. We want to make sure we are always a good partner to the community and can positively impact people's lives." - Chris Kelm, Plant Manager, Clearwater Paper Shelby.

On the inside of the building, doors will be refitted with automatic closers and keypad locks. This provides greater security in the unfortunate situation of an intruder. Children will be further protected by ensuring that unauthorized areas such as supply closets and unused classrooms are closed automatically and kept off-limits.

The BGCCC is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that serves children ages 6-18 in eight locations throughout Cleveland County. "Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens." For over sixty years, BGCCC has served the youth of our community.

BGCCC serves more than 500 children across Cleveland County. A Club kid will rotate through different activities like homework tutoring, arts & crafts, music, computers, STEM, SMART Moves, Healthy Habits, Triple Play Sports, and more. Programs are designed to be fun and engaging while providing valuable life skills and character development experiences. Club kids learn techniques and strategies to resist risky behaviors, and how to contribute positively to their community and society. Great Futures Start Here is the tag line for the BGCCC and shows how it has been successful with over twenty thousand alumni of the Club in the area.

Clearwater Paper is a premier supplier of private brand tissue to major retailers, including grocery, club, mass merchants, and discount stores. In addition, the company produces bleached paperboard used by quality-conscious printers and packaging converters and offers services that include custom sheeting, slitting, and cutting. Clearwater Paper's employees build shareholder value by developing strong relationships through quality and service.