Twenty is a nice round number.

If the group gets the support it needs, then the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Carolina would be the 20th club of its kind opened in South Carolina.

"When the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Carolina becomes a reality - it will be the 20th," said Nancy Frost, a regional service director for the organization. Frost's region includes the currently 19 Boys and Girls Clubs in South Carolina and six in North Carolina.

Frost has been with the national office for 10 years.

Frost spoke at an informational meeting that the board of directors for Boys and Girls Club of Southern Carolina held for the public at the Barnwell library June 29.

About 20 people attended the meeting, not including about five children who sat in the back.

Their presence didn't escape Frost's attention.

"I also want to welcome our future members - the children in the back," she said.

Frost gave an outline of the Boys and Girls Club overall, stating that 4.5 million children between the ages of 6 and 18 are served yearly by the more than 4,300 clubs across the nation. There are also Boys and Girls Clubs around the world located on U.S. military bases.

The idea behind a local Boys and Girls Club is that it would be a sanctuary for youth to be in constructive after-school activities and prevent them from getting into trouble.
Members of the Big Seven Association, Greater Faith Ministries, First Baptist Church of Barnwell and others have been planning since 2006 to make the club happen.

Frost also outlined some of the requirements that the national organization requires of its member clubs.

"One of the things you do when you open a club is to have proven programming," she said.

Another thing is each club must have a paid, full-time director, Frost said.

"We can't hire your executive director, but we can give advice," she said.

All clubs are required to be open at least four hours a day for five days a week, Frost said.

Besides a director, the local club will need a membership of 100 children to start, she said.

Initially the club will target children from fifth through eighth grades, said James Wallace, the board chairman for the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Carolina.

"We hope to pick up all the age groups," he said.

Already a board of directors has been formed for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Carolina, although it is still taking additional board members.

Wallace said they have set a target date of September to launch the club.

Already the Barnwell County club has its nonprofit, tax-free 501c(3) status from the state, which it obtained Feb. 18. It will get its charter from the organization once the regional club opens, he said.

Carolyne Willliams, another board member, said the big task right now is raising corporate and individual contributions.

The board is in the process of approaching potential donors and sponsors, she said.

The club needs about $150,000 to run in its first year.

"We feel that with our budget, we need two years of operating budget - we need two years of financial pledges," she said.

Already the club has received some official support as the Barnwell County Council voted June 2 to give $10,000 to the club.

Those interested in learning more about the club or contributing to it or volunteering can call Wallace at (803) 259-0630.