By MATT LINDSEY

OGDENSBURG – The Ogdensburg Boys & Girls Club will celebrate 50 years of helping to mentor children and providing a place for kids to have fun with productive activities in the community.

The club was founded in 1964 by a group of community leaders who recognized a need for a place that boys could go for constructive things to do, according to Tom Luckie Jr., executive director of the Boys and Girls Club.

“We operated out of the old telephone company building that was located on State Street from 1964 to 1974 and it housed a game room, library and large room upstairs that served as a gym area,” Luckie said.

The boys back in the ’60s would compete in floor hockey and boxing.

“There were a lot of summer camps, kids went swimming and basketball was very popular too,” he said.

The association decided that they needed their own building to better meet the needs of youth in the area and in 1975 the current facility was built at 601 Patterson St.

“That same year we became one of the first organizations to allow girls to join,” Luckie said.

Clubs nationwide were predominantly boys only until the early 1980s. Girls initially were allowed to attend once a week and after one year they were integrated into the group.

“The club has many successful alumni. Our goal is help make the kids into responsible and caring citizens that will become a positive part of the community,” Luckie said.

Without grants, fundraising and alumni support the club would not exist. They receive nearly 25 percent of their income from the annual Ogdensburg Expo which has been held for 38 years.

“The club has overcome poor economic situations thanks to everyone’s support including the United Way who has sponsored us for our entire 50 years,” he said.

Funding is needed now more than ever as Luckie says that day attendance is higher than ever. The average daily attendance is about 110 kids.

The annual fee for each child is only $6 and Luckie says no one is ever turned away for inability to pay. Children enjoy snacks every day and dinner is served for free once a week.

Kids today enjoy similar activities that others children enjoyed 40 and 50 years ago including swimming, basketball and field trips; but now the organization offers peer to peer mentoring and STRIDE Academy.

“The academy is a web-based program that kids can do at their own grade level and receive awards for academic improvements over the course of the year. Right now we offer English and math and hope to add science soon,” he said.

Aside from learning activities, kids can do arts and crafts, take computer classes and play games.

The boys and girls club will celebrate their 50 years on Sept. 13 at the Knights of Columbus, 721 Hasbrouck St., with all of the entertainment being provided by alumni and current members. A dinner will be served for $10.

“Pat Duffy will be there to perform as well as high school student and current member Allexa Hooper and the Brady family singers,” he said.

There will be a Power Point presentation of old photographs and the history of the club and to cap off the evenings entertainment, local hypnotist-comedian Don Swann will entertain the audience

“The club has given kids a chance to find direction, discover and explore talents and create friendships.” We are here for the families who need support.” Luckie said.