Southwick Lions Club members Mark Krynicki and Paul Connolly present a donation to Southwick Recreation center President Kirk Sanders, Cassey Bay, School-Age director and Jessica Litwak, School-Age assistant director. (SOUTHWICK RECREATION CENTER PHOTO)
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Lions Club donated $2,000 to the Southwick Recreation Center (SRC) for COVID-19 assistance.
The SRC, which operates youth sports year-round as well as the School-Age Program, had to limit its programs during the pandemic.
Members of the Lions Club stated that due to Covid-19, they knew the SRC could use their financial assistance.
Lions Club members Mark Krynicki and Paul Connolly presented the check and said that the Center always worked as partners with them for the Breakfast with Santa, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, dances, and other special events, and they wanted to support the SRC.
The SRC formed in 1961 as a baseball program. Over the years, it expanded to include boys and girls soccer, basketball, girls softball, tee ball, and floor hockey.
Most of those programs could not happen this past year.
“We were only able to have very limited basketball and soccer this year because of Covid-19. We are still operating our School-Age Program — which offers affordable before and after school care – from the gym with strict guidelines from the Board of Health,” said SRC President Kirk Sanders.
Sanders said there is a misconception that the SRC is a municipal entity.
“Some folks in the community believe that we are part of the Town of Southwick, but we are a non-profit organization that has served youth sports programs for 60 years,” Sanders said.
The donation will go a long way to keep the SRS operating.
“Our organization cannot thank the Southwick Lions Club enough for their generous donation and it is very much appreciated,” said Sanders. “Hopefully soon the Southwick Recreation Center will be able to open up programs later this year so that we can continue to serve the kids of this community.”
The SRC hosted Spring Soccer tryouts this month and is planning its season under the guidance of the Southwick Board of Health.
Registration for tee ball and girl’s softball closes May 15. The SRS website requests interested participants register early so organizers can plan for the summer.
