Several Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County members attended the Marine Corps – Law Enforcement Foundation (MC-LEF) Gala recently at the Tropicana in Atlantic City. The young men represented the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County in an outstanding and professional manner.
In 2019, current club staffer and Officer Nathaniel Lewis, an officer with the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office, was awarded The Captain Peter Mucci Award and also the Sheriff of the Year.
The Way Corporation, Greater Victory AME Zion Church, and Nathan and Catherine Lewis sponsored the youth from BGC of Cumberland County’s Passport to Manhood Program, which focuses on Life Skills for young men. The youth experienced the difference between semi formal and casual wear, which included selecting proper attire for the event. They also learned about different cultures and tasting food they are not usually open to experiencing. In addition, they practiced table manners, etiquette and fine dining. The youth learned Professional Customs and Military Courtesy at its highest level. Furthermore, they learned how to engage in conversation. All in all, the young men had a fun learning experience.
Thanks to its generous donors, MC-LEF currently establishes a $35,000 educational account for every child who loses a parent serving on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy Corpsman or as a Federal Law Enforcement Agent. Since its founding in 1995, MC-LEF has awarded over $91 million in educational accounts and other humanitarian assistance to more than 4,700 recipients. Since the foundation has only one paid employee, the vast majority of efforts are performed by a dedicated group of volunteers who run its various events. All officers and board members are also volunteers so donor funds are predominantly used to accomplish its mission of “Educating the Children of Those Who Sacrificed All.”
