For one local nonprofit, it was a long 29 days of being shut down but now the Boys & Girls Club of Llano is getting back into the swing of things.

“We’re not quite back to normal because we’re still taking many COVID-19 precautions, but our first priority is the kids’ safety so we’ll stick with it as long as we need,” said Angelyn Drake, director of the Boys & Girls Club of Llano.

Along with schools and childcare programs, the Club had to shut down in March because of coronavirus mitigation measures, but they were able to swing their doors open again at the end of April.

“Fortunately, we only had to close for 29 days because the First Baptist Church of Llano graciously offered to let us use their recreational activities building until we can go back to meeting at the elementary school,” Drake said.

Re-opening is not nearly as easy as it sounds. It means temperature checks, reducing the number of children in each class, sanitizing restrooms often and cleaning toys every two hours.

And then there’s social distancing.

“It’s definitely been a challenge,” she said. “Let’s face it, kids love to touch everything, so trying to get them to understand the precautions has been a little difficult. They’ve adjusted well in stride.”

Part of the work of being a nonprofit is securing donations, but the last fundraiser was in October last year.

“All our funding comes from many generous donors in the Highland Lakes area,” Drake said. “Like so many others, we’ve felt the strain of not being able to do the fundraising that sustains our program. We’re always in need of supplies for the kids.”

The Boys & Girls Club provides children with a safe, clean and caring environment.

“We know we have made a difference for many of the kids,” she said. “All the Boys & Girls Clubs in America strive to enable young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. We believe every kid has what it takes.”

For Drake, her job as director is a perfect fit.

“As someone who was once a child in the foster care system and later a foster parent, I know how important it can be for kids to have a sense of stability and belonging in their day-to-day lives.”

The Llano Boys & Girls Club is a serving site for Healthy Summer Meals for Kids. The community program allows anyone aged 18 or younger may receive a free meal and snack. Meals for Kids is available Monday-Friday from 12-1 p.m.

The Boys & Girls Club of Llano, which opened last year, serves up to 50 children a day aged 6-12. It is one of five locations under the umbrella of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Highland Lakes. For more information, visit the website at http://www.bgc-hl.com, call the headquarters in Marble Falls at 830-798-2582 or check out their Facebook page.