With a charitable donation by a car dealership, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania has a new van to transport a growing number of children.

On Tuesday, children and club representatives gathered at Baierl Chevrolet in Wexford to receive the 12-passenger van.

“This van will be going nonstop this summer,” said Mike Hepler, president and chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. “It will be have a variety of uses, primarily transporting children.”

Hepler brought six children to the event, where they received the van and thanked the dealership for its generosity.

The van will transport more than 7,000 children throughout the summer to camps and other events, he said.

Hepler explained these activities help needy families, lightening financial burdens on parents and providing engaging outlets for children who may otherwise not have that access.

“Most of the children we serve are from low-income families or single-parent homes,” he said. “We allow parents to maintain a place in the workforce.”

Hepler said resources like these are welcome as the club strives to meet the needs of a growing number of children. He said Baierl has been a reliable supporter of the Boys & Girls Clubs for many years.

“The legacy they have with our (club) is amazing,” Hepler said. “And they do it for the right reasons.”

Donated resources, like the van, also help with the club's junior staff groups. One of the children involved, Josh Violi, was recently elected president of Torch Club.

“It's fun being junior staff,” he said.

Junior staff groups help with community events, including spaghetti dinners and spending time with senior residents.

The club's success can be measured by a spike in enrollment.

“Over the last two years we have seen an increase of over 2,000 members,” Hepler said. “And we are expecting more this summer.”

Hepler credits enrollment growth to the organization's reputation that has been built through the years.

“Parents trust us,” he said. “I think it's a combination of the programs, the stuff we do with the kids and the modest fees. And also the people that work with us.”

Hepler would know. He has been involved in the club for decades, ever since he was a child in the program.

“I grew up in the club,” he said. “It took me in off the streets.”

Hepler now runs the club, helping thousands of children find the support structures and resources they need.

And often, Hepler says, the children give him the support he needs as well.

“Today was so brutal, running around in meetings and everything, but driving the kids around, it flipped a switch,” he said. “Being in the Jeep with these kids, they bring me back down.”

Hepler said that fees for club activities are modest and students who need help are often eligible for scholarships, further reducing the cost. He added that donations from organizations like this make that possible.

“There's so many services like Boys & Girls Clubs, and we're fortunate to be one,” Hepler said.