Sultan Boys & Girls prepares to open

A-álot has happened in the four years since the Sultan Boys & Girls Club burned to the ground on Dec. 24, 2010. It's been four years of committee meetings, public testimony, planning sessions and legislative advocacy. It's been four years of navigating a process that, to some, might have seemed cumbersome and far too time-consuming.

Former Volunteers of America (VOA) Western Washington Director Dave Wood, who provided a temporary location so the club could continue its operations, passed away in 2011. Those who knew him are confident that he would be overjoyed that the new club is opening its doors in May.-á

The result of a partnership between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County, the VOA and the City of Sultan, the new Sultan Boys & Girls Club facility is situated on VOA land next to the large A-frame that is home to the Sky Valley Senior Center (617 First St.). The club has been operating out of the A-frame ever since the fire, invited in by Wood.-á

While the relationship has been cohesive and affable, Unit Director Cherise Crawford is looking forward to the additional space and the additional opportunities that will be available to the kids at the new facility.

"I'm really looking forward to them having their own space,GÇ¥ Crawford said. "Something that can be theirs.GÇ¥

Crawford, who has been with the Sultan club since 2008, has worked at the A-frame longer than she worked at the actual Sultan Boys & Girls Club facility.

Currently, the Sultan facility employs five full-time and part-time staff and serves 145 kids. The goal for 2015, Crawford said, is to bring that number up to 500. And with 13,500 square feet of space which will feature a games room, teen center, technology lab and eventually a new gymnasium, there will be plenty of space to accommodate more kids. Even without the gymnasium, which has been slated for construction at a later time, the new space will be a community asset.

The club currently offers two computers for the kids use, a number which Crawford expects will quadruple at the new facility.

Ruth Shapovalov, who works with the teens at the club, is excited for the new teen center. Each week, Shapovalov works to keep the teens engaged by recruiting guest speakers, planning projects, leading trips through nearby Osprey Park and facilitating creative and sometimes unconventional craft adventures. Each week, she plans cooking experiences.-á

The teens have spent time volunteering at a local nonprofit and have cleaned up trash from Sultan's streets and parks. Recently, two of Shapovalov's teens volunteered to bus tables during Sultan's community date night event.-á

"My kids deserve their own space,GÇ¥ she said. "I'm so proud of them.GÇ¥-á

Both Crawford and Shapovalov are excited for what the future might bring. -á -á -á

"We really want to fill the needs of the community,GÇ¥ Crawford said. "That's our goal: to serve the kids that need us the most.GÇ¥

The club has compiled a wish list for members of the community that are interested in helping the club as it prepares to open.-á

A lot of what they need falls into the category of miscellaneous supplies, including art supplies like paintbrushes, glue, coloring supplies, paper, chalk, an art drying rack, easels, and coloring books.

Recreational items are also needed, things like games, playing cards and balls.

Office supplies needed include: manila folders, writing utensils and post-it notes.

Cleaning supplies are also needed, including bath tissue, paper towels, garbage bags and trashcans.

To review the complete list, visit bgcsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Sultan-BGC-Wish-List.pdf. To make a donation, contact Cherise Crawford at ccrawford@bgcsc.org or mail to P.O. Box 427, Sultan, WA 98294.-á