At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (BGCGH), safety is always a guiding principle, and this year safety takes on even more meaning as COVID-19 continues to be a major public health concern. That’s why it is important to stay vigilant and observe best practices during the holidays to keep children, teens, parents, grandparents and other family members and friends safe and healthy. The holidays can still be fun and meaningful with a little creativity.
“We witness the joy that December brings to kids in our Clubs and throughout the community, but this year is a holiday season like no other,” says Kevin Hattery, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, President and CEO. “The coronavirus continues to be a threat to our safety. Local hospitals are experiencing significant spikes in the number of COVID-19 patients, and the number of available beds is shrinking. With the holidays quickly approaching, we want to encourage those in the Greater Houston area to celebrate safely to mitigate the spread of the virus.”
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams recommends keeping Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations “small and smart” to avoid spreading the virus to loved ones. Families should: 1) celebrate outdoors, 2) keep gatherings limited to 10 people or less and 3) prepare in advance by not going out in public to avoid exposure from others.
The three W’s are also important to remember:
- Wear a mask
- Wash your hands
- Watch your distance.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston recommends some fun and creative ways to celebrate the holidays while staying safe. These include:
- Take your kids for a walk, and look at the holiday lights in your neighborhood
- Participate in a virtual holiday event, worship service or concert with your family
- Have a holiday picnic outside at a park or greenspace, and let the kids pack the basket
- Make commemorative ornaments children can send to relatives far away
- Don your favorite pajamas, mix up some hot cocoa and watch a classic Christmas movie.
A few websites to visit to help with other ideas are:
At Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, the motto is “We do whatever it takes to build great futures for kids.” With the unique challenges that 2020 has brought, that has meant adapting and doing many things differently. This holiday season is the time for everyone to do their part to ensure a healthy start to 2021.
To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, please visit www.bgcgh.org.
