Kids enrolled in the Boys and Girls Club of Lanier now have a new van to ride in, thanks to a donation on Friday from Wayne-Sanderson Farms and Mar-Jac Poultry.
Wayne-Sanderson Farms is headquartered in Oakwood and is the third-largest poultry producer in the nation. Vice President of Supply Chain Aaron Leach said the company donated a Ford Transit van after they became aware of Boys and Girls Clubs’ need for more transportation.
“One of our business development managers was a board member for Boys and Girls Club and brought this need to our attention,” Leach said. “Our company is based out of here, our kids go to school here. So we obviously love to support the community where we live and work.”
The van cost about $30,000 and can seat up to 15 passengers. This is key, as the Boys and Girls Club of Lanier struggled to find enough transportation to get kids to their after-school events and summer programs.
“Transportation is a never ending challenge for us, so this makes a huge impact,” Boys and Girls Club Chief Development Officer Joyce Wilson said in a press release. “We’re so excited to get our new van on the road, driving kids to and from clubs, taking field trips and student college tours, activities like kayaking and ballet—and we’re grateful for the generosity and support from Wayne-Sanderson Farms and MarJac Poultry.”
Leach said kids were already excited about their new wheels when he dropped off the vehicle.
“We just hope more kids can get to and from the Boys and Girls Club,” Leach said. “They can get them back home, pick them up, get them to events… What we hope is that the more kids that get involved in after-school activities have engagement from friends and teachers and mentors, the more successful they will be able to be inside of the community.”
