(MOBILE, Ala.) Blake DeWitt said he tries to do the best he can for kids he helps at the Semmes Boys and Girls Club.
"I grew up out here. The club is my old middle school building, and so this is home. This is my community. Anytime that somebody in the community wants to help it just makes our day."
About 100 kids come to the Boys and Girls Club each day. DeWitt said he wants to get the kids more mobile.
"We have some areas in the back that we've always wanted to be able to go outside...maybe have a picnic. Maybe we let the kids go outside and work on their homework... Maybe we make snow cones, and it's a good place to be messy."
Mark McKee works for the Ford Lumber Company. He said his company jumped at the chance to lay the woodwork.
"Today we're donating some picnic tables. Four tables here for the Semmes location, and three tables for the West Mobile, Cody Road location."
McKee said having done business in the area for more than a half century made it an easy choice to lend his company's time, talent and labor to the Boys and Girls Club.
"The Boys & Girls Club does so much for the community so we wanted to just give back, and challenge other businesses to step up and do and meet these needs in the community."
DeWitt was amazed at the response from the Ford Lumber Company. "We told Santa what we wanted, and, next thing you know, Ford Lumber sleigh shows up and we've got some picnic tables."
DeWitt hopes these wooden tables will become reminders for the children of the generosity of the community.
"We want them to become responsible, caring citizens when it's all done. I guess by being that example that we are responsible, caring citizens is the best way to do that."
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