SELMA -- The Boys & Girls Club of Johnston County was abuzz as children helped the organization's staff prepare for the club’s first major celebration since opening in January 2007.

On Monday, the more than 4,000 Boys & Girls Club branches across the country began celebrating the annual Boys & Girls Club Week. The theme-based event aims to raise awareness of the organization and its efforts to educate, entertain and support children and their families, said Mamie Moore, director of the Johnston branch.

“The purpose in doing this is to show the community what we do and the positive influence we can have on kids’ lives,” she said. “We want the community to see that the Boys & Girls Club is making a difference. We want people to see first-hand why we need donations to help keep the club up and going.”

The Johnston County club’s theme for the week is “Embracing Our Differences.” Each day carries a different sub-theme. For example, Monday’s theme was “It Takes a Village.” Moore said parents were invited to take part in a parenting session focused on helping children learn at home. Kids, meanwhile, took part in a field day that included egg tosses and sponge squeezing.

Tuesday was about celebrating diversity. Moore said children spent portions of their spring break from school helping put together posters about various countries and cultures. She said the kids helped pick out and, in some instances, prepare ethnic foods for visitors to sample. They also helped select country-specific activities for their peers and parents to participate in.

The cultural theme will continue tomorrow (Thursday) as the club highlights countries around the world. Displays featuring information about countries including Greece, Japan and Spain, among others, will be set up for viewing. Also, about a dozen of the club’s girls will perform dances from Greece and Egypt as well as other parts of Africa from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m., Moore said.

“They’ve been practicing hard for this,” Moore said. “I think they’re really excited.”

Kids will celebrate Spirit Day today (Wednesday) by listening to several book readings on topics of diversity. Moore said the week would end with a community softball game in which local recreation teams will partner with the club’s boys and girls to take on their parents.

Moore said she hoped everyone who participates would learn from their experiences. “This is all about family, community and people coming together,” she said. “It’s different races and cultures coming together and learning and teaching each other about our differences. And it’s a good thing because we can all learn so much from one another.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Johnston County is located at 609 North Pollock Street in Selma. For more information about the club and its mission, call 965-5240.