To The Editor:

The Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club, which can trace its roots back to 1964 when the Ogdensburg Boys Club which was founded on a hope and a prayer.. It was the dream of less than 15 people. The late J. Russell Phillips, Frank A. Augsbury, Richard E. Winter, Fred Shurtleff, John G.Ward, Arthur O’Neil, Edwin L. Dobisky and George (Bud) Phillips were among the leaders.

Almost 50 years have passed and today the club is strong and healthy and has been expanded into a Boys and Girls Club that can boast a register membership of more than 800 boys and girls from Ogdensburg and the towns of Morristown, Oswegatchie, Lisbon and Waddington.

In addition the Boys and Girls Club has an outreach program that extends to youth in Massena, Malone, Madrid-Waddington, Canton, Gouverneur. and points beyond. There is no healthier youth program statewide.

Thomas P. Luckie Jr, the executive director, the staff, both paid and volunteers; are doing an outstanding. The adult board of directors is also doing an outstanding job.

The OBGC has to depend on strong financial support from Greater Ogdensburg and surrounding communities for its support. These are tough times, it’s going to take an even greater effort to sustain this wonderful club.

The Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club Expo, the club’s major yearly fundraiser, will get underway in the Edgar A Newell II Golden Dome in three weeks.

The fundraiser has some outstanding cash prizes to give away. First prize is $5,000 courtesy of the Blevins Auto Group; second and third prizes are a $1,500 gift certificate from Gardner’s Flooring and Furniture; fourth prize is a $1,300 from Triple “A” Building Centers; fifth prize is a family membership from Northern Physical (maximum of four people); sixth prize is a $1,000 gift certificate from Carbino’s Jewelers; seventh prize is a $1,000 Series E Savings Bond donated by NBT Bank and the eighth prize is a $1,000 donated by Phillips Diner, Ogdensburg.

A $1,000 Early Bird Special drawing on March 17 is donated by Oddfellows and Moose 814.

You can qualify for all of prizes for a donation of $10 if you are 18 years old or older.

The youth of Ogdensburg and the north country are certainly worthy of a $10 tax deduction donation. The Boys and Girls Club is strong today because of the generosity and vision of the Founders Committee, and those who have supported the club for 50 years.

See you at Expo on March 24 when the drawing will be made.

Chuck Kelly

A proud former director

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