GIFFORD — There is nothing more summer than the smell of barbeque and the sound of happy, active children wafting through the air. Nearly 400 people enjoyed a midsummer fun day at the Gifford Youth Activity Center over the weekend.
From early in the morning until evening, members of the Gifford community gathered for Basketball & BBQ. The day included live music, face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, sno cones, ribs, chicken, fried fish and hot wings.
Little ones had a great time running around in the bounce houses as the DJ played popular music with a pulsing beat.
The event, sponsored by Saussie Pig BBQ and Beyond Special K, a GYAC program for senior citizens, was the brain child of GYAC employee Gregory Simpson. Simpson, who started out as a volunteer with the Center four years ago, is now a teacher at the center, as well as a mentor for teens.
Freddie Woolfork, Director of Public Relations and Facilities Operation at the GYAC said Simpson’s passion, evident throughout Saturday’s event, is one of the reasons the Center is so good at what it does, which is to provide a place for members of the community to overcome barriers in their lives, through education and life enriching activities.
Simpson, who is also a bail bondsman and tax preparer, was at the event with his wife, Michelle, and their two young daughters, finds it gratifying to work with members of the community at every stage in their lives.
“Hopefully I am setting an example for my daughters,” he said, “for when they get older and are confronted with something that needs to be done.”
Woolfork was thrilled with the turnout.
“Today has surpassed my expectations,” said Woolfork. “We have had a continuous flow of people, some staying all day. It has to be fun to keep these people here all day.”
In addition to its after school education program, the GYAC also offers activities for seniors in the community, in an effort to foster inter-generational interaction, which leads to empathy and respect among generations.
The basketball tournament that took place all day in the GYAC gymnasium was not the only game in town. During a break in the games, the crowd listened to words of wisdom from Milwaukee Bucks player Larry Sanders, whose father grew up in Gifford. Youngsters listened attentively as the 6’11 professional basketball player talked about success in life.
After the pep talk, partiers went off to play other games, including horseshoes, checkers, spades, and dominoes.
Summer cannot go on forever, so the GYAC is preparing for its sixteenth annual Back to School Supply Drive, on Aug. 16. Donations of backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens, and other school supplies are being gratefully accepted at the Center, as well as at other drop off spots throughout the community, including Holy Cross Catholic Church, Northern Trust Bank, Oculina Bank, Piper Aircraft, Community Church, and Indian River Medical Center. Monetary donations are also welcome to assist the staff in purchasing gift cards for items such as graphing calculators needed by high school students in the community.
For more information, contact Freddie Woolfork at (772) 794-1005, extension 234.
