I have always been of the mindset that providing a well-rounded education to our children should not rest entirely within the walls of a classroom. That positive role models and good examples outside of the classroom teach just as well as books do when it comes to establishing and building, in our kids, the fundamental skills needed for an entire lifetime.

We are fortunate here in Bremerton to have two outstanding youth organizations operating within our midst. They are the Boys and Girls Club and Y-Kids. My son Nick splits some of his time before and after school between both programs and he loves them. I continue to be amazed at the true level of commitment some of these staff members have. They have proven themselves to be the positive, patient and caring adult role models many of these kids are starved for outside of their school and their family.

In Novem-ber 2009, the Bremer-ton Boys and Girls Club at Naval Avenue submitted a short video for a Microsoft competition. The husband of a staff member with videography experience (thanks Peter) shot the video with eight to 10 of the kids. Out of 130 entries from all across the county, the Bremerton Boys and Girls Club was one of seven chosen to receive a brand new laptop computer loaded with Windows 7 from Microsoft and a $7,000 check for their organization. Congratulations kids and thank you, Microsoft!

Please support these organizations any way you can. They truly do help the kids in our community to grow up and become better citizens. Go to the Boys and Girls Club Web site to learn more about ongoing and upcoming fundraisers at www.bg-clubs.com/bremerton.htm. Be sure to check out the flyer posted there for a local restaurant promotion and for ticket information to the Open the Door Celebration on March 20.

For more information about the Y-Kids programs you can go to, www.kitsapfamilyymca.org. The Kitsap program will soon be merging with the Pierce County Program under the YMCA of the USA team to expand options for our kids.

While the Bremerton School District provides a good base for education in our community, it continues to really be about all of us coming together, whether we are parents, youth groups, clubs, PTAs or schools to support and provide the best well-rounded education we can for the children of Bremerton.