The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America is “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” It is a mission organizers have embraced since their humble beginnings in 1860.

Boys & Girls Clubs members follow a code that includes belief in God and country as well as “fair play, honesty and sportsmanship.”

There is potential in each and every member who walks through the doors of the Beaufort County Boys & Girls Club, just as there was potential in Denzel Washington, Jennifer Lopez, Gen. Wesley Clark, Cuba Gooding Jr., Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mario Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Shaquille O’Neal, Smokey Robinson, Jimmy Rollins, CC Sabathia, Martin Sheen and Shaun White. These are just some of the alumni of the Boys & Girls Clubs who realized their full potential.

But it takes community support to help the young members prosper. That is why it was encouraging to see Terrance Copper spend Father’s Day with children at the Beaufort County Boys & Girls Club. Copper is a Washington native who plays for the Kansas City Chiefs.

We should follow his lead and show our support for the Beaufort County Boys & Girls Club. It is an investment that pays dividends for the members as well as the community, allowing both to reach their potential.