For over 40 years, Town Boys and Girls Club has provided shelter, leadership and guidance to the children of the Riverside and Old Town neighborhoods in Tonawanda. It is now the community's chance to give back.
TBGC is sponsoring a fundraiser 5K race on Sunday to raise money for the club and to commemorate longtime TBGC member Bob 'Kat' Nowak, who has been with the organization for decades.
'[Nowak] has been with TBGC for over 40 years,' said Scott Henderson, race director and TBGC alumnus. 'He has been instrumental in the lives of literally hundreds of kids, so we are commemorating his service.'
Boys and Girls Clubs of America have been a vital part of communities across the nation for over a century. There are currently Boys and Girls Clubs in every U.S. state, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of America collectively help over 4 million youths every year.
According to its Web site, TGBC helps over 200 children daily from 6 to 18 years old. Additionally, there are six other locations in Northern Erie and Niagara County.
'[TBGC] provides recreation, programs, activities and sports leagues. And in the summer and on weekends, we provide field trips and camps for the kids,' Henderson said. 'There are countless recreational activities that are available.'
All of the money that is collected from the race will be given to TBGC for equipment, bills and recreational activities. According to the Web site, roughly 82 percent of the club's money goes to youth services and programs.
Henderson believes the programs that were provided to him as a child are still crucial to the development of children today.
'I learned a lot from TBGC and from [Nowak]. A lot of the workers are alumni, so we know how important the club is to these kids,' Henderson said.
According to Henderson, TBGC is a vital part of the community because over 75 percent of kids in the program come from single parent or low-income families.
'We are an important part of [Tonawanda] because most of the time, these kids have nowhere else to go because their parents are working or otherwise unable to take care of them,' Henderson said. 'So we provide daycare and afterschool activities for these kids.'
According to the TBGC Web site, by reaching children at an early age and providing positive activities and encouragement, the clubs provide an alternative to youth crime, gang membership, drugs and other negative influences.
TBGC helps children dissolve prejudices, nurture talents and interests, improve self-esteem and build lifelong friendships, Henderson said.
Over the past few years, funding from government agencies and private agencies has been cut to 10 percent, so TBGC was forced to cut back on care for its children. In need of money, the club decided to sponsor this race so that boys and girls from Tonawanda could still be provided with care.
Both registrants and donations are needed for TBGC. According to a press release, those who donate over $100 will be recognized on the race T-shirt and companies may also have literature published for the event.
The race will start and end at Aqua Lane Park at the foot of Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda. There is also a 1-mile family fun run for those who do not want to do an entire 5K race, which runs along a path. Both begin at 10 a.m.
Registrants may enter the race by going to www.active.com and following the links to the TBGC 5K.
'TBGC is a vital part of the community,' Henderson said. 'It helps hundreds of kids who need a place to go to be looked after.'
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