Boys & Girls Clubs to Host Step Off
September 17, 2009
COLUMBIA, SC – September 17, 2009 – The Sprite Step Off, a national stepping showcase combined with community service challenge, comes to Columbia on October 17th. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, partnering with Sprite, Black Entertainment Television (BET), and USC, welcomes USC fraternities and sororities to its Ben Arnold Club to empower Midlands-area youth toward higher education and community involvement.
The exciting day will begin at the Ben Arnold Club with USC students reading to Boys & Girls Clubs youth and teaching them a 16-count step routine. Three Midlands clubs will also perform their own step routines at Ben Arnold, before everyone heads to the Colonial Life Arena in the evening for a step show by USC fraternities and sororities. In the midst of all the activities, Boys & Girls Clubs youth will also get the chance to let the community know how much the Clubs mean to them.
“This is a great opportunity for the youth of the Midlands,” said Carter Clark, chief professional officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands. “It’ll be a fun way to learn about stepping and get pumped about going to college.”
Stepping has a long history as a major aspect of multi-cultural, especially African-American, college Greek life. The Step Off celebrates the uniqueness of the dance activity, as well as the leadership, service, and perseverance the make the multicultural college Greek system a source of empowerment.
The Step Off accompanies a service challenge issued by Sprite, a subsidiary of the Coca Cola Company, to focus on educational empowerment, active living and community initiatives. The sponsor, in partnerships with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Ronald McDonald House Charities, calls on young people from around the nation to donate at least 1.5 million service hours over the next 12 months. Individuals and organizations wishing to take part can visit www.spritestepoff.com/servicechallenge to register and pledge their hours.
ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE MIDLANDS:
With 29 Clubs in the Midlands, the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. In addition to its after-school programs, BGCM offers spring break and summer programs. Visit www.bgcmidlands.org for more information.
