Boys and Girls Clubs of Parkersburg member Aubree C. pets Babydog on Tuesday as U.S. Sen. Jim Justice made a stop at the club to speak to kids about hard work, gratitude and the power of big dreams. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

PARKERSBURG — U.S. Sen. Jim Justice made a stop at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Parkersburg on Tuesday where he spoke to the youngest members about hard work, gratitude, and the power of big dreams.

“You gotta promise me you’ll do these two things. You’ll dream really big and work hard,” Justice said. “Please get out of believing you’re not going to succeed. You have got to believe that you’re going to go to every mountaintop. Period. Every single one.”

Darlene Murphy, Boys and Girls Clubs of Parkersburg CEO, said having elected leaders visit the club is both a rare and meaningful event.

“I’ve worked with kids in the public for almost 20 years now, and this is the first time that I can say we’ve had a legislator visit,” she said. “So it’s a pretty big deal. It’s not something that happens very often.”

Murphy said she has been trying to get Justice to visit for some time and was glad he stopped by so the club could thank him for his service.

U.S. Sen. Jim Justice made a stop by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Parkersburg on Tuesday where he talked to the kids about his humble upbringing, his time spent as a teacher and coach and the importance of working hard and dreaming big. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“We wanted to thank him and Senator (Shelley Moore) Capito for helping release the 21st Century funding that kind of went on pause last year,” Murphy said.

Justice said federal funding is critical for organizations like the Boys and Girls Club.

“At the end of the day, if you don’t have that funding, maybe we’re not here. And these kids need us. They really need us,” Justice said.

Murphy said while that funding is important to the operations of the club, the real investment is in the people working with the children every day.

“A lot of times, funding goes towards projects or capital improvements. But really, in an organization like this, the capital is the people,” she said. “That’s what does the work. It’s not the building, it’s not the supplies, it’s really the people. They’re the ones making the difference on a daily basis.”

Darlene Murphy, Boys and Girls Clubs of Parkersburg CEO, right, introduces U.S. Sen. Jim Justice and Babydog to the club’s young members Tuesday. Justice talked to the kids about the importance of working hard and dreaming big. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

Justice talked to the kids about his humble upbringing, telling them he was once just like them, a skinny brown-haired kid with a dream. He said his grandparents didn’t have indoor plumbing and he would have to use their outhouse while visiting. He said despite those roots, he knew anything was possible and that anything was also possible for their future.

“What do you think the chances were that Jimmy Justice would have been your governor, or a United States Senator… except I believed, and I worked hard,” Justice said. “You can do anything in your life you want to do.”

Justice talked about his time as a teacher and coach and said those experiences have helped shape who he is.

“I’ve been a coach forever and ever… I even did some substitute teaching… I taught some college classes, I taught some little kids and everything else. But the one thing that I found in everything I’ve done with children is just this: it makes me better,” Justice said.

Murphy said she appreciated Justice taking the time to stop by and speak to the kids and sharing his past with them.

U.S. Sen. Jim Justice made a stop by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Parkersburg on Tuesday where he talked to the kids about his humble upbringing, his time spent as a teacher and coach and the importance of working hard and dreaming big. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“This was a great experience for them,” Murphy said.

Justice concluded by telling the young members to always thank those who help them and to show that appreciation loudly.

“You are the best. Carry yourself high and be proud,” Justice said. “I can’t possibly be more proud of you than I am right now.”

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com