The Boys & Girls Club of Magnolia has launched a capital campaign to replace the aging lighting infrastructure across its outdoor sports fields. To help kick off the campaign, titled “Let’s Light Up the Sports Night,” Farmers Bank & Trust has contributed $25,000.
Club officials said the existing lighting system has reached the end of its usable life, and many replacement bulbs and components are no longer readily available, making repairs increasingly more difficult and costly. In addition, several fixtures have failed in recent years, raising growing concerns.
“This campaign is not simply about lighting enhancements,” said Chris Ludwig, CEO and executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Magnolia, “it’s about necessity. Our lighting system is outdated, and maintenance parts and bulbs are getting much more difficult to source, so we must get them upgraded soon.”
The Farmers Bank & Trust donation marks one of the first major contributions to the capital campaign and sets the tone for additional community support.
“Investment in the Boys & Girls Club is an investment in our future,” said Monty Harrington, Magnolia Market President for Farmers Bank & Trust. “This organization has played an important role in the lives of young people in Magnolia for generations, and we’re proud to help kick off a campaign that addresses such a critical need.”
The Boys & Girls Club of Magnolia serves youth throughout Magnolia and Columbia County and offers afterschool programs, mentorship, athletics, and enrichment activities in a structured, supervised environment. Club officials said the lighting project is the top priority of the capital campaign and a key step toward ensuring long-term sustainability of the facility.
Community members, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to participate in the “Let’s Light Up the Sports Night” campaign as fundraising efforts continue.
For more information about the campaign or to inquire about donating, contact Chris Ludwig at CLudwig.BGCM@gmail.com or call 870-299-3341.
