Sometimes Christmas comes early, and it came early Wednesday for the Boys and Girls Club of Pike and Surrounding Counties.

With funds awarded through the Community Service Block Grant Program, the Organized Community Action Program – Pike County (OCAP) partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to increase the educational technology at the club through the purchase of four Dell tablets, a scanner and a printer.

Cindy Hinton, OCAP services director, was on hand when the Dell products arrived at the Boys and Girls Club and were put into service.

“OCAP is very appreciative of the Community Service Block Grant that made it possible to purchase this technology for the Boys and Girls Club of Pike and Surrounding Counties,” Hinton said. “We know how important it is for students to have access to the technology that enhances learning. The Boys and Girls Club is dedicated to helping club members be successful in school. Wanda Moultry, OCAP-Pike County executive director, and our entire staff are proud to be able to support the efforts of Wayne Buchannan and his employees and volunteers to prepare students to be successful through its Power Hour after-school program.”

Buchannan expressed appreciation to OCAP for its support of the Boys and Girls Club of Pike and Surrounding Counties and for the donation of the tablets, scanner and printer.

“The mission of the Boys and Girls Club of Pike and Surrounding Counties is to enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens,” said Buchannan, Club director. “The priority of the Boys and Girls Club is education. Monday through Thursday, our club members participate in Power Hour. During that hour, the members do their homework. We have employees and volunteers who are there to assist them if needed. But they make sure all club members have their homework done and done correctly.”

Not only are employees and volunteers available to the students during Power Hour, they also follow up with checks on their weekly grades, progress reports and report cards.

“These Dell tablets will be available for the students to use to do their homework,” Buchannan said. “They will be able use the tablets during Power Hour and after the study time. After Power Hour they may play games on the tablets, but the games that have been installed are educational games.”

The donation value of the tablets, scanner and printer was about $4,000.

Buchannan said the Boys and Girls Club is fortunate that OCAP saw the value of having that technology available and made it possible for the 60 kids who are enrolled in the club’s after-school program.