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Boys and Girls club unveils renovated teen room

Teen center gets new look, equipment

Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg members Hailey Davis, front, and Brianna Martin sit at the computer lab in the newly renovated teen center Monday. (Photo by Michael Erb)

PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg Boys and Girls Club unveiled a renovated teen center Monday, thanks to the efforts of two local businesses.

The room is available only to the program’s teens and was in need of renovation, with old blue walls and outdated furniture. The renovation effort was part of a national partnership between Aaron’s and Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

“Aaron’s nationally does two refurbishments a year,” said Cyndi Auth, director of programs at the Parkersburg Boys and Girls Club. “We didn’t know how competitive we’d be for the program, but decided to try anyway. We got in contact with them and they got back with us that day to tell us we’d been selected.

The project was started and completed this past weekend.

“We did a bit of a refreshment of the room, with new paint and new furniture,” said Joe Charleston, general manager of Aaron’s Vienna. The theme of the project was “own your future,” he said.

Boys and Girls Club of Parkersburg members Shadrik Reynolds, left, Damien Johnson, center, and Gavin Nelson, right, lounge in bean bag chairs in the teen center’s new reading area. The renovated teen room was unveiled Monday. (Photo by Michael Erb)

Teens from the Boys and Girls club helped clear the room and with painting, but left before furniture was brought in and the finishing touches were added. Monday afternoon was their first look at the finished room, and many cheered and hugged, with some tearing up at the sight.

“Now, it’s like a whole different teen room,” said 15-year-old Hailey Davis. “We have everything we ever wanted in here.”

The new room features several bean bags in a reading area, a wall dry-erase board, a computer lab, game system and couch, as well as a table and study areas. Honest Fred’s Flooring donated and installed new carpeting in the center.

“I’m most excited about having new furniture that’s not worn down and all the bright colors,” said 15-year-old Brianna Martin. “I appreciate everything everyone has done to put this in.”

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