“Summer Fun Boxes” Full of Toys and More Make for “Christmas in July” for Children Not Able to Attend Summer Camp

June 25, 2020

Although our partner in McDowell County, West Virginia, Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA), was not able to move forward with its annual summer camp program out of an abundance of caution, they are pleased that they are planning to offer a fun substitute for dozens of children, ensuring they’ll have a fun-filled, and safe, summer.

For each of the 49 children who had attended their summer camp last year, BCPIA plans to provide them with a Summer Fun Box full of clothes, basketballs, Nerf footballs, jump ropes, water sprinkler toys to help the kids stay cool on hot summer days, “and lots of other fun things to do outside," says BCPIA co-executive director Dyanne Spriggs.

Right now, Dyanne and staff are preparing to make lists for each of these children, reporting, “We [won’t] just pick out the first thing we see. We know the likes and dislikes of these kids and will spend a long time looking for something we know they will like.

“Some little girls like unicorns or JoJo Siwa (a teen dancer, singer, actress and YouTube personality), and some little boys like West Virginia University or football shirts, so we will spend the time to find something we know they’d personally like.”

In addition, to make up for the meals they would be missing out on due to the cancellation of this year’s summer camp, each child and their family will receive two food boxes.

Meals include macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, soup, and other items that can be prepared simply in a microwave oven, as well as snacks such as Pop-Tarts, granola bars, applesauce, fruit rollups, cookies and crackers, and more.

 

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