With a club established in Kissimmee and a new one opening up in St. Cloud in December, the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida is reaching to the community for support of such a worthy cause in the life of its youth.
A host of community members and leaders put on their boots and ‘mosey-ed’ on over to Osceola Heritage Club for “Saddle Up,” a Western and cowboy-themed evening of fundraising, fellowship and engagement with talented Boys & Girls Club members from around the area.
Valencia College President Dr. Kathleen Plinske delivered the keynote speech at the event at OHP’s Heritage Club. “Saddle Up” replaced the organization’s traditional annual breakfast fundraising event, but COVID-19 and the morning time of the event proved problematic the last two years, so an evening of fellowship was scheduled. Regional Development Director Alicia Hodge said the event was welcomed by guests, and may be the way to go going forward.
“Our St. Cloud Club will be opening in December, and the group that raises money for that Club is amazing,” Hodge said. “They certainly have been able to hold their own in that community.”
Hodge said the Club is seeking sponsorships to boost the monies raised.
Outgoing School Board member Robert Bass has been part of the group working to bring the new St. Cloud club to fruition.
“We’re the new kids on the block, had to raise $300,000 before we could even open, so the fact we’ll be opening next month has us over the moon,” he said of the facility at 10th Street and Virginia Avenue near Cannery Park.
