For Hometown News
PORT ST. LUCIE -- The Port St. Lucie Historical Society presented the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County Chuck Hill Unit with a check for $2,569, the remaining funds collected from the Jack Kelly farewell party.
Mr. Kelly served on the Port St. Lucie City Council for 12 years in district four before retiring in November. A farewell tribute party, presented by the Port St. Lucie Historical Society, was held in December at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens.
At a time when hundreds of children and teens in St. Lucie County are not receiving the guidance they need to graduate from high school, avoid the effects of violence, gangs and drugs, or become responsible adults, the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County is there to help children and young adults.
In September, the Boys & Girls Club announced the Chuck Hill Unit was in danger of closing its doors if $150,000 wasn't raised to help fund the club. It costs the organization $1,000 per child to be a member in the afterschool program per year. Costs are kept as low as $10 per year for members, as many are on free or reduced lunches.
The Port St. Lucie Historical Society donated $2,569 to sponsor club members to attend the Chuck Hill Unit and participate in their effective youth development programs.
The Chuck Hill Unit opened its doors one year ago in a response to a neighborhood in need of a youth development program and currently serves 150 members.
The Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the youth of the community. With 18 locations throughout the county, the Boys & Girls Club programs serve a diverse group of more than 4,200 kids ages 5-18.
For more information, call (772) 460-9918, or visit www.bgcofslc.org.