The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan will hold its fifth annual Unity Day this Thursday in Benton Harbor.

Boys and Girls Club spokesperson Sherri Ulleg tells us Unity Day will be a gathering of around 550 to 600 young people at the Fettig Youth Campus.

“Unity Day is an opportunity to bring all 11 of our summer clubs together for one field day type event that gives kids an opportunity to meet members from other communities and to participate in games and activities and just have a great day to help end the summer,” Ulleg said.

Ulleg says kids from as far away as Sturgis and White Pigeon will be there, in addition to all the kids from Benton Harbor, Bridgman, South Haven, Three Oaks, Buchanan, and Dowagiac.

So, what will the youngsters be doing?

“It is a field day, so we have a mix of both sports-based activities like Gaga Ball and Four Sports and things that our kids play regularly on our campuses, as well as some e-gaming opportunities.”

Ulleg says some of the kids who come to Unity Day forge lasting friendships.

The event is being sponsored by United Federal Credit Union, and the young people will hear an address from a representative while Boys and Girls Club staff will MC. The opening ceremony will be at 1:30 with the games to begin at 2. Unity Day will close around 3:30 with the awarding of medals.

The event is not open to the public.