The Boys & Girls Club of Marion County

09/04/2026

Thank you for sharing your talent, your story and your JOY with our Club kids! You gave them so much more than a fun afternoon—you gave them a chance to ask questions, experience entrepreneurship, build confidence and see what’s possible when you turn something you love into something bigger.

We can’t wait for you to bring the balloon magic to River Valley next week! 💙🎈

Yesterday, I walked into the Boys & Girls Club carrying this overflowing tub of balloons, and before I could even set it down, the kids started yelling, “THE BALLOON ANIMAL LADY!” 🎈🤣

They loved my new balloon menu and asked amazing questions about Cooper & Co Balloons how and why I started, how difficult it was to begin, what it cost and what running the business is really like.

Then they all became Cooper & Co employees! We pretended the Boys & Girls Club wanted to place a balloon order and worked through every step together from gathering the event information and checking the calendar to counting supplies, preparing and arriving at the event. They did an awesome job and were so excited to be “working” with me! Then I taught them how to make their own balloon dogs. 🐶

But the moment I will hold closest happened while I was talking about joy.

One of the older kids told me that he could see the joy inside and outside of me pouring out and that while I was talking, he could feel that joy, too.

That may be one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me. 🥹

To have a child notice the joy I feel while sharing Cooper & Co Balloons and then tell me that the joy reached him is something I can’t fully put into words. That is everything I hope people feel when they experience my business.

Yes, I love creating balloons. But even more, I love making children and adults feel noticed, welcomed and included. I love giving them a unique experience and watching their faces light up. A balloon may only last for a little while, but the joy someone feels in that moment can stay with them much longer.

Thank you to the Boys & Girls Club for welcoming the “balloon animal lady” and allowing me to share something I love so much.

Next Wednesday, I get to visit the other Marion location and after this experience, I am even more excited to do it all again! 🎈💛

Spreading joy, one balloon at a time.

09/03/2026

🎶 Sometimes the best Club moments aren’t planned!💙

Keonte decided to show off his best Michael Jackson moves during an impromptu dance show at the Club—and he did not disappoint! 🕺

We love that he showed up to the Club ready to go dressed in gear and feeling confident enough to say, “Watch me!” 💙

Keep dancing, Keonte! 🕺

09/01/2026

Registration for After-School Programming still has openings.

Looking for a safe, fun, and engaging place for your child after school? The Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion is here to help!

Our programs provide:
📖 Academic Success
🌟 Character & Leadership
🏃 Health & Well-Being
💼 Life & Workforce Readiness
💙 A Safe & Supportive Environment

Whether your child attends one of our partner school districts or not, they're welcome to become part of our Club family!

Program Information:
📍 Oak Street Clubhouse
• Starts August 24
• $20 annual membership
📍 River Valley
• Starts August 18
• AM or PM: $35 per family
• AM & PM: $70 per family

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Marion, we're helping young people build confidence, discover their potential, and create brighter futures every single day.

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit bgccentralohio.org to register today!

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with families who may be looking for quality after-school programming. Together, we're creating brighter futures for Marion's youth. 💙

08/29/2026

If you’re a Marion City Schools parent or caregiver and could benefit from before-school programming, please take a few minutes to complete our interest survey by scanning the QR code below.

Your feedback will help us better understand the needs of local families as we explore opportunities to provide a safe, supportive place for youth before the school day begins.

📲 Scan the QR code ⬇️⬇️ and let us know what your family needs!

Please share!!

08/28/2026

💙 This is why being here NOW matters.

When 1 in 3 Ohio children in working households are living as ALICE, or below, affordable, dependable places for young people to be while parents and caregivers work matter.

For 30 years, the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County has been part of that support system. Today, we’re continuing to provide a safe, supportive place with caring mentors—while intentionally building literacy, confidence, life skills and workforce readiness into the Club experience.

Because supporting working families today and preparing young people for tomorrow go hand in hand.

💙 30 years of showing up for Marion. Here now. Building what comes next.

39% of Ohio children who live with at least one working adult are living as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), or below the Federal Poverty Level. That's more than 640,000 children living in families that are working, but not earning enough to cover basic expenses, with no savings for emergencies.

The local nonprofit projects and programs funded by our Community Campaign are getting these ALICE families the immediate support they need, while working to help them find a path to financial self-sufficiency.

08/28/2026

💙 We see the data—and we’re committed to being part of the solution.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Marion City Schools to strengthen literacy at the Club, equipping our team with literacy tools and embedding Let’s Read 20 into our everyday Club experience. 📚

For 30 years, we’ve been here for Marion families—providing a safe, supportive place for young people while parents and caregivers work, and helping Club members build the skills and confidence to be Future Ready—ready for life and the workforce.

💙 30 years of showing up. Here now. Building what comes next.

08/25/2026

Partnerships like this are how we create greater impact for young people. 💙

We’re proud to partner with Marion City Schools to strengthen literacy support for our Club members—giving our team additional tools and strategies that can be woven throughout the Club experience.

When schools and community partners align around what young people need, we can better support them in the now while preparing them for what comes next.📚✨

Grateful for this partnership and our shared commitment to Marion’s youth!

The Boys & Girls Club of Marion County partnered with Marion City School in hopes of increasing literacy in students visiting the club. See link below ⬇️

📸 Provided by Leslie Schneider, Boys and Girls Club

08/24/2026

🎉 🎉 A huge congratulations to Tiffanie Starcher Real Estate Showcase, RES, our People's Choice Dunkee Champion! 🏆💦

Your supporters showed up in a big way and helped you earn the top spot!

And let's hear it for our very close runner-up, Josh Conway, Generations Realty👏

The competition was close, and the support from the community was incredible.

We also want to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to our amazing sponsors, whose generosity made this event possible:

🥇 Platinum Sponsors
United Federal Credit Union
Evan Michael Geyer

🥈 Gold Sponsors
Cummins Facility Services
Modern Woodmen of America
Generations Realty

🥉 Silver Sponsors
Carroll's Jewelers
Showcase Realty
Alluvial Tax & Planning
Westwater Supply

To everyone who donated, shared our event, came out to cheer on our dunkees, and supported the Boys & Girls Club —thank you!

Your generosity is creating more opportunities for local youth to learn, grow, and become Future Ready!

08/23/2026

💙 Meet our Youth Development Professionals!💙

Great Club experiences start with caring individuals who show up for young people every day

Our Youth Development Professionals create safe, supportive spaces where youth have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, explore their interests, discover their strengths, and develop the skills they need to be ready for the future.

From STEAM and art to Health & Wellbeing, Power Hour, Life & Workforce Readiness, and everyday moments of connection, our YDPs help make youth voice and choice part of the Club experience.

As we celebrate 30 years of serving Marion youth, we’re excited to introduce you to the team helping prepare today’s youth for tomorrow’s opportunities.💙

30 years of impact. 30 more years of brighter futures.

08/21/2026

💦💙 MARION, YOU SHOWED UP! 💙💦

More than $11,000 raised for Marion youth — and it took an incredible community of supporters to make it happen!

A HUGE THANK YOU to our Donate to Dunk sponsors and supporters:

💎 PLATINUM SUPPORTERS
• United Federal Credit Union
• Evan & Keri Geyer

🥇 GOLD SUPPORTERS
• Modern Woodmen of America
• Cummins Facility Services
• Generations Realty

💙 ADDITIONAL EVENT SUPPORT
• West Water Supply
• Alluvial Tax & Planning
• Carroll's Jewelers
• Tiffanie Starcher Real Estate Showcase, RES

And a special thank you to Downtown Marion, Inc. for welcoming us during Third Thursday and to Allen Wilson and the City of Marion, Ohio - Love Your City for filling our dunk tank and helping make the night possible! 💦

To our dunkees, sponsors, donors, volunteers, families, and everyone who came out to throw a ball — this $11,000+ happened because of YOU! 🙌💙

As we celebrate 30 years of serving Marion youth, this is exactly what 30 Years, 30 More looks like: a community investing together in the next generation.

💙 30 YEARS OF IMPACT. 30 MORE YEARS OF BRIGHTER FUTURES.