Riviera Beach, Fla. Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s Project FACT (Father and Children Together) held a Father’s Day drive-thru event on Saturday, June 20, in the parking lot of the Marina Village Event Center in Rivera Beach, Fla. The event, that honored 300 fathers, was initially planned to be more elaborate, but due to Covid-19 safeguards, the celebration was changed to be a drive-thru experience rather than canceling. 

As fathers drove through the parking lot tocheers and well wishers, gift bags, Father’s Day cakes and balloons were distributed. Each gift bag contained monetary gift cards for Walmart, Publix, and gas stations. Facemasks, protein drinks, information regarding important resources in the community and details on a new Project FACT program called “Strong Dads and Strong Schools” that starts July 6 was also handed out.

“This is an event that celebrates and affirms the role that fathers play in the lives of their children and families,” said Shamus Gordon, director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s Project FACT. “We look forward to this being an ongoing event to commemorate our fathers. This is one of many events that will be held to empower dads to become more involved in the lives of their children. We are celebrating our dads on this Father’s Day, but Project FACT’s goal is to make sure we celebrate the importance of fatherhood year-round.” 

In attendance were volunteers and staff members from Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. Also at the event were representatives from the city of Rivera Beach and stakeholders who have funded the program, such as Jack and Jill of America, Kiwani’s Club of Rivera Beach, Christ Fellowship Church and Nozzle Nolen Pest Control. 

For more information on how to get involved, upcoming events and programs for Project FACT, please contact Shamus Gordon at sgordon@bgcpbc.org or call 772.497.6033.