More than a dozen DPR Richmond, VA, office volunteers and family members recently helped make the holidays a little brighter for an estimated 150 local children at a winter Solstice dinner at the Southside Boys & Girls Club.

Photo courtesy Diane Rossini

The DPR volunteers assisted with dinner service and participated in games, craft-making and other activities during the Dec. 11 event, delivering a special night for area children who rely on the Boys & Girls Club for a variety of services. In addition to dinner, the children and volunteers enjoyed playing football on the unusually balmy night and participated in a variety of take-home crafts including picture frames, jewelry-making and face-painting.

Darricka Carter, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond, commented, “DPR's support made it possible for our Southside Club to plan a fun-filled holiday event that was exciting for every kid in the Club!"

Diane Rossini, who helped organize the volunteer effort for DPR and serves as community liaison with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond, noted that the December event is just the latest in DPR’s expanding relationship with the five-clubhouse Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond.

Photo courtesy Diane Rossini

“It’s been a rewarding organization to work with,” Rossini commented. “The club members clearly benefit from the stability and support the Boys & Girls Club provides.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs in the Richmond area is stepping up its focus on supporting a previously underserved teen age group in the region with career and educational services, and there are plans on the books to build a separate teen center.

For its part, DPR is planning to participate in major quarterly events with the clubs, including putting on a School of Construction event in the fall of 2016. DPR will also employ its building expertise to assist with several facilities maintenance projects – something that is particularly needed since the aging facilities now range up to 90 years old.