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Chief Executive Officer Newsletter
60 YEARS OF SERVICE TO YOUTH
On April 27, 1947 the Hawthorne Boys Club became a chartered member of Boys Clubs of America,
officially beginning a journey in Hawthorne of an organization committed to being at the forefront of
making a positive difference in the lives of youth, a journey and commitment that continues today, 60 years later.
The actual formation of the Club began in 1942 and from 1942 to 1969 the historic Rea mansion on Goffle Road
served as the original home of the Club. Small but successful programs were developed and supervision was
provided from volunteers from the community. As the success of the programs spread through the
community, the charming, but crowded Rea Mansion could not longer meet the needs of youth.
In 1970 ground breaking began at the Clubs present location on Maitland Avenue. The initial estimated cost of
the single story concrete block building was $250,000. But by the end of the building the cost had doubled.
The land was donated by the town at a rental cost of $1.00 per year on a 50 year lease. Prior to ground breaking
the board of trustees chose an executive director, the first salaried person hired by the Club.
Once the building foundation was completed, the Club became truly a community project. Volunteers, young
and old alike, all pitched in. Throughout the entire building construction anonymous gifts would appear on site
from civic minded and generous citizens. Private large pledges and small contributions from local residents
continued until the building was completed and opened in 1972.
In 2000, to meet the ever changing needs of youth and community a 6,800 square foot second story addition was
added to the main Clubhouse for pre-school. The cost of the project was $1.3 million.
Today the Club serves 1,500 registered members and over 2,000 youth annually. Programs are offered in five core
program areas – Character and Leadership Development, Education and Career Development, Health and Life Skills,
The Arts, Sports, Fitness and Recreation. Club programs and services promote and enhance The development
of boys & girls by instilling: A Sense of Competence, Usefulness, Belonging, Power and Influence.
During 2007 the Club is committed to raising $350,000 to build a new 3,000 square foot “Teen Wing” addition
enabling the Club to expand program services and to significantly increase the number of teen members served
by the Club.
We look forward to the next 60 years – thank you for your support of youth!
Tom Demko
Chief Executive Officer
Tom
Demko can be reached at tdemko@bgchawthorne.org
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