Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota Celebrating Milestone Anniversary

(KNSI) – Things are golden for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota in anticipation of the organization’s 50th anniversary celebration.

While the nonprofit is a juggernaut now, it wasn’t always that way. Trustee Gary Marsden says when the group was first started they were forced to take things day-by-day. “When we started back in 1974, it was a bubble gum, band-aid, and baling wire operation. It was, ‘How do you get the next amount of funding in order to keep the lights on?'”

Marsden revealed to KNSI that the budget has jumped from $27,000 annually to $8 million. Marsden adds that the organization survived because of the purity of its mission. When it looked like they might be down for the count, he said it was always motivating to think about helping children grow and achieve. With that in mind, they kept pushing forward until it got to secure footing.

President and Chief Executive Officer Mary Swingle now oversees 18 locations attended by nearly 1,500 kids each school day. She says staff help with a variety of needs, from tutoring and homework completion to preparing kids for careers.

“We do life and workforce readiness. We do a lot of career development, and that actually starts in kindergarten. People think, you know, it’s high school, but, no, it actually starts in kindergarten by teaching competence, communication, collaboration, problem solving, stick-to-it-ness.”

The locations have a full-sized commercial kitchen and serve both snacks and a full dinner. Art is also an emphasis at the sites.

KIDSTOP was added in 1985. It addresses the latchkey kids, children with two parents who are working and are supposed to go home after school. Marsden says that can turn into trouble when you are young.

A gala to mark the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota’s 50th anniversary is planned for May 14th. It will start at The Regency with hors d’oeuvres and a social hour at 5:00 p.m. A program will teach attendees about the different activities offered by the group.

Entertainment for the celebration will be big and brassy inside the Paramount Center for the Arts. Swingle says to expect a Broadway influence. The show starts at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets can be bought here.

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