[caption id="attachment_1715" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Members of the Boys &amp; Girls Club of Beaufort got their hands dirty painting the walls of the new art studio of the Boys &amp; Girls Club of Beaufort. From left:  Desmond Jones, Charvis Jones, Kamden Arnett, David Ash, Jasmine Rhodes and James Rising."]<a href="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Business-Boys-and-Girls-Club-members.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1715" title="Business-Boys and Girls Club members" src="http://www.beaufortislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Business-Boys-and-Girls-Club-members-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

The Boys and Girls Club of Beaufort has teamed up with volunteers from BB&amp;T to renovate the art room at Boys &amp; Girls Club facility on Boundary Street in Beaufort.  More than 20 employees from the BB&amp;T branches on Lady’s Island and Port Republic Street recently volunteered more than 100 combined hours updating the art room.  <!--more--> The BB&amp;T volunteers spent their time cleaning and painting the walls, adding a new sink, new cabinets and storage areas, as well adding new window treatments and organizing supplies.  In addition, BB&amp;T has purchased various of arts and crafts supplies to stock the shelves for future needs plus several items, including cameras, to expand the Photography Club.

“We can’t say thanks enough to BB&amp;T and its employees for our new art studio,” Sam Burke, unit director of the Boys &amp; Girls Club of Beaufort, said. “This is another great example of how our kids are continually nurtured by our neighbors. BB&amp;T and its employees are creating a more close-knit community as they improve the lives of our children and that also enhances our club and our city.”

Burke also said the new art studio will make it possible for the club members to hone their artistic skills and enter regional and national contests sponsored by the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of America as a result of the new room, supplies and equipment.

BB&amp;T employees chose to work with the Boys &amp; Girls Club because of the positive impact the organization makes on local youth.  The volunteers were eager to support the art program by providing their time to enhance the youth’s art experience at the club.

“Our employees whole-heartedly supported the idea of helping the Boys &amp; Girls Club in this endeavor,” said Eric Lowman, Senior Vice President and Beaufort City Executive.  “We are excited to give back to a community program that serves the needs of so many children.”

The BB&amp;T volunteers are taking part in the company’s third annual Lighthouse Project. The teams have each selected a project to assist a non-profit agency to complete during May or June to make a positive impact on the lives of people in need. BB&amp;T hopes their efforts encourage others in the community to volunteer their time and support organizations such as the Boys &amp; Girls Club of Beaufort.

During the Lighthouse Project, BB&amp;T employees have donated nearly 100,000 hours to help improve the lives of more than 3 million people in 25 states. Employees overwhelmingly voted to bring back the initiative this year.  For more information about the Lighthouse Project, go to www.bbt.com/bbt/lighthouseproject.

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