Boys & Girls Club Of Bristol Cambridge Park Chapter Holds Annual Family Day

By Dean Wright, The Bristol Press

August 23, 2021

The Boys & Girls Club of Bristol Cambridge Park Chapter held its annual Family Day with entertainment, inflatables and a basketball tournament to celebrate community and the coming of the new school year.

“This is the 24th annual Family Day,” said Boys & Girls Club of Bristol Vice President of Development Jay Maia. “It’s gone on a long time. We’ve got a lot of safe and fun activities for the kids. The awards ceremony recognizes the kids at a high level. A lot of them will be getting Shining Stars awards. There will be trophies and some gift cards for back to school. (The awards) will focus on academic success, character and citizenship.”

As part of the basketball tournament, Bristol Eastern High School, Terryville High School, Bristol Central High School and New Britain High School students competed against one another.

Over 200 children attended the event by Maia’s estimate. There were around 50 players in the basketball tournament. He noted that the attending children would hear antibullying messages and what it meant to make good decisions.

“It’s about love, unity and community,” said Maia.

Community booths were also present for visitors to interact with various community services. A tag sale was held for families to peruse in preparation of the coming school year. The City of Bristol also held a vaccination clinic at the event.

“We bring the whole community together. The Bristol Housing Authority is a collaborator and we just come together as a whole team and we have a great day and the kids have fun,” said Ashley Santos, Boys & Girls Club of Bristol program director at Cambridge Park.

Ashley McCall said that her kids always loved going to the club.

“It gets them more involved with sports and keeps them out of trouble. Even my younger ones love going to watch the kids at the club,” said McCall. “They do amazing things for kids here.”

Gabby Bicent, 15 said that she loves Family Day because grew up at the Boys & Girls Club.

“I’ve been going to summer camp there for as long as I can remember. Every time we come here it was like home to me,” said Bicent.

Agnerick Coreano, 15, said that Family Day is “great.”

“Gets all the community together and brings happiness,” said Coreano.

Both said they enjoyed arts and crafts at Family Day.

Boys & Girls Club of Bristol Director of Continuous Quality Improvement Ron Burns credited Maia with making Family Fun Day and the Cambridge Park station a place dedicated to developing youth into individuals of good character, responsibility and fun.

Stafford Elementary School Principal Latanya Farrell provided entertainment for the event as well as a performance by the Hartford Proud New Era Drumline.