BGCWPA has not let COVID-19 stop them from pursuing its mission to “activate and advance the potential in every child by doing whatever it takes to ensure they have great futures.” The donation of Air Oasis purifiers will ensure they continue to implement the highest safety and health standards in their facilities to protect children and staff as they offer Daytime Learning Hubs, Before School, After School, Summer Camp, STEM, Workforce Development, Virtual, Teen and Specialty Programming to over 12,000 local youth.

“Now more than ever it is imperative to create partnerships such as the one so generously offered by Keone Kela and Air Oasis. With 70% of our BGCWPA youth coming from single parent households and 75% being eligible for free and reduced lunch, BGCWPA is so thankful to Mr. Kela for providing a safe environment for our youth to learn, grow and have fun. Safety is our #1 priority, and this donation will allow us to serve even more local youth, families and communities. It means the world to our kids to know that athletes like Keone are thinking of their health and well-being during these unprecedented times,” states Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania President & CEO, Dr. Lisa Abel Palmieri.

As the largest, most comprehensive out of school provider in Allegheny and Somerset Counties, BGCWPA was one of the first organizations to mobilize during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide virtual programming which received tens of thousands of views. As the pandemic evolved, BGCWPA continued to be a community resource by distributing 65,000+ meals, 700+ hygiene and cleaning kits, providing a day camp for the children of essential workers, Summer Camps and now Daytime Learning Hubs throughout 17 programs so parents can safely return to work while kids participate in virtual schooling.

“I understand how stressful these times can be for households that don’t have adults working from home with the ability to help kids out with virtual learning, and that’s why the Boys & Girls Clubs programs are so essential to their communities,” said Kela. “I commend Air Oasis for providing a product that can literally help us breathe a little easier and feel more confident that kids are in a clean environment when they are not at home.”

For more information on Air Oasis and the benefits of its air purifiers, please visit airoasis.com. To donate or learn more about Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania, please visit bgcwpa.org.