Editor,

I would like to thank the Boys & Girls Club for all they do for Coupeville youth. We are so fortunate to live in this community, and I am grateful every day to raise a family here on Whidbey Island.

While none of my children attend Boys & Girls Club on a daily basis, we are so thankful for the basketball program in which my daughter participates. Basketball is such a great outlet for our youth as it teaches discipline, endurance, fitness, drive and teaches kids to get out there and do their very best. It teaches our children that while we can’t always win, we can always strive to be the best we can be.

I love that the Boys & Girls Club gives back to our community, even for those who don’t attend local schools, but rather choose to home school like our family. I also love that they offer basketball for even the tiniest of budding athletes. The skills learned at even the pre-school level are helpful in building up these little people and help shape them for their future.

It’s not easy, and sometimes people don’t understand what it takes to make a program like this work. I appreciate the Club and all they bring to our community. My thanks to them for all they do.

Heather DeHay

Coupeville