MANASSAS, Va. — The movers and shakers of Prince William County gathered at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas on Friday night to celebrate the 24th annual Steak and Stake fundraiser and awards dinner for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington.
While it was lovely to see the sparkling dresses and dapper tuxes throughout the evening, the most heartfelt moments came from the children who benefit from area clubs.
Joe Frempong, the Dale City’s Hylton Boys and Girls Club’s Youth of the Year Candidate and Youth Ambassador spoke about his experiences with the Boys and Girls Club.
“My family was broken up, jobless and still the Boys and Girls Club was there for me,” Frempong said. “Despite my personal trials and tribulations the Boys and Girls Club is always around to support me.”
MORE to the STORY: See more photos from last night’s Steak N Stake at the Hylton Performing Arts Center
Frempong joined the Hylton Club after being cut from his middle school basketball team. Initially, he had hoped to learn how to play better. But soon after joining, Frempong realized that the more he gave to his community club, the more it gave back to him.
“I have learned that if you put your mind and heart into something, you can go anywhere,” Frempong said with a huge smile lighting up his face.
Over 200 community members agreed with Joe Frempong, as they raised funds to support summer camp for at risk youth.
Olympic Gold Medalist Beneita Fitzgerald headlined the event. The athlete has a street named after her in Dale City, Benita Fitzgerald Drive, and an elementary school on that street is named after her mother, Fannie Fitzgerald Elementary.
This marks the first year the event was held at the performing arts center, away from one of the two Boys and Girls Club campus in Prince William County – the Hylton Club, and the General Heiser Club in Dumfries, and a branch in Manassas where the event was held last year.
Prior to the start of the show, a pre-awards cremeony was held to honor business owners and community organizations who donate of their time and services to give back to the community.
“Being an educator I am always looking for ways to help the children of our community,” said Boys & Girls Club Board Member Betty Covington. “I have been doing month bingo fundraisers and working with the club for more than 20 years.”
Covington is such and important part of the Boys and Girls Club that the Educator of the Year Award is name for her. This year’s winner was Lydia Stewart, a Special Education teacher at Osborn Park High School. While Stewart accepted her award,Covington spoke about Stewart’s many accomplishments.
During the award ceremony, around a dozen community leaders and corporations were honored for their ongoing support of the Prince William County Boys and Girls Clubs.
Providing activities for before and after school care for children, and a wide array of youth activities in sports, education, the arts, others, an annual membership to the clubs costs $30.
