The Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri will spend 2015 celebrating its 55th anniversary of serving children in the west central Missouri area.

Founded in 1960, the Sedalia Boys Club – as it was first known – was organized by several community members and civic organizations who recognized that young boys needed a safe place to go after school. Despite its humble beginnings with only a volunteer board to run the entire operation, the Sedalia Boys Club prospered, eventually allowing girls to attend in the 1980s. In 1990, the Club expanded to Sedalia’s five elementary schools, a partnership between the Club and the Sedalia 200 School District that continues to this day.

Thanks in part to grant funding, the Club was able to expand to several outlying areas, including Smithton in 2002, La Monte and Leeton in 2006, and Cole Camp, Green Ridge and Sedalia Middle School in 2007.

Today, the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri serves approximately 1,300 members yearly, providing programs based on physical, emotional, cultural and social needs.   Board President Darren Pannier noted that he was especially thankful to those civic groups and community members who worked to bring a Boys Club to the community.

Celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2015, the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri serves more than 500 children daily at 11 sites in Sedalia, Cole Camp, Green Ridge, La Monte, Leeton and Smithton. For more information about the Club, including how to donate or volunteer your time, go to www.bgckids.com or call 660-826-8331. You can also stay in contact with the Club by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter @bgckids.

Celebratorily yours,

Behka

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