The technology-fueled Cox Innovation Lab at the newest Boys & Girls Club branch was made possible by a grant from The James M. Cox Foundation.

Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos Celebrates Grand Opening of Cox Innovation Lab

Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos had one more exciting reason to give thanks at this year’s annual Thanksgiving celebration with the official ribbon cutting of its Cox Innovation Lab on Thursday, Nov. 17. The new high-tech space will help narrow the digital divide by giving more kids access to the tools and technology they need to explore and develop important STEM and digital literacy skills.

Club members, families, and local community leaders will joined top executives from Cox Communications for a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the Club’s newest branch – the Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation Branch – which opened its doors just four months ago.

The Cox Innovation Lab, which is made possible by a $20,000 grant from The James M. Cox Foundation, is a technology-fueled makerspace featuring new Chromebooks and iPads powered by Cox’s high-speed internet and equipped with graphic design software, a green screen, robotics programming software and equipment, two 3-D printers and pens, a fully outfitted podcast station, and flexible furniture that inspires collaboration and connection.

“We are thankful for our partners at Cox Communications who are helping provide meaningful digital experiences for our youth – many of whom do not have these tools available to them at home,” said Cathy Baur, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos.

“A reliable connection to the internet is more important now than ever before,” said Ingo Hentschel, senior vice president and region manager for Cox Communications. “We’re committed to ensuring our children are connected at school, at home and right here at the Boys & Girls Club where so many children spend their afternoons. We look forward to the incredible achievements we’re going to see from all of these bright kids in the coming years.”

Following the ribbon-cutting celebration, Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos served its annual grab-and-go style Thanksgiving dinner to nearly 300 of its youth and their family members. Organized by teen members in the Club's Leaders in Training program, the dinner was made possible by the generosity of local San Marcos businesses and community members. Food and supplies were donated by the San Marcos Grocery Outlet and the meals—complete with all the traditional fixings—was prepared by San Marcos restaurant, The Bellows.

About Cox Communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. The largest private broadband company in America, we proudly serve seven million homes and businesses across 18 states. We're dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities, and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

About The James M. Cox Foundation
The James M. Cox Foundation is named in honor of Cox Enterprises’ founder and provides funding for capital campaigns and special projects in communities where the company operates. James M. Cox was Ohio's first three-term governor and the 1920 Democratic nominee for president of the United States. The Foundation concentrates its community support in several areas, including conservation and environment; early childhood education; empowering families and individuals for success; and health.

About Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos

Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos (BGCSM) inspires and enables all young people to become productive, responsible and caring citizens. As part of a nationwide movement of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BGCSM offers exceptional youth programs, developed and run by trained youth development professionals, that emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. The organization, which first opened its doors in 1979 at Woodland Park, now serves over 3,000 members, ages 6 to 18, annually at two standalone Clubhouses, seven school-based sites, and two affordable housing communities throughout San Marcos. Visit www.boysgirlsclubsm.org to learn more.