Communities united to support local Boys and Girls Club

By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com

B&G Club pic1Citizens of San Benito and the surrounding communities are coming together to help raise money to save the local Boys and Girls Club.

Among the many upcoming events to raise funds for the San Benito club is a dance and a baseball and softball tournament to be held by the Harlingen and San Benito National Bronco Leagues.

“The tournament is scheduled on Saturday, February 23,” said Jerry Hernandez, President of the Harlingen National Bronco League and San Benito National Bronco League. “The (San Benito) league needs the money, but we’re going to help the Boys and Girls Club because they need the money, too. The goal would be to raise at least $8,000. I know it’s not a lot, but it’s still $8,000 to help.”

The tournament is scheduled at 9 a.m. at Stookey Park in San Benito. Later that evening, a benefit dance will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in San Benito featuring the Grammy-nominated band Grupo Retoño, who have volunteered to play for free. The dance will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight.

“I’m really excited that so many different people have stepped up and are trying to do something to help the Boys and Girls Club stay open,” said Tommy Ramirez, President of the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of San Benito.

Previously, Ramirez attributed the club’s possible closure, giving it three months to be exact, to a lack of funding from sources such as United Way and City of San Benito Community Development Block Grant funds. Meanwhile, city officials have created a committee to address the club’s financial woes and have met twice to offer non-financial assistance.

While optimistic, Ramirez said that the future of the club may rest entirely on what kind of help the committee offers. Although no meeting has been scheduled as of presstime, Ramirez said the committee is planning to meet again sometime next week.

“I’m hoping to tell United Way when I meet with them that the city is supporting the club,” Ramirez said. “It will help us in getting funding from United Way. One thing affects the other. If those things can fall into place, then we’ll be okay.”

In addition, Ramirez said that sponsorship posters are being sold to businesses around the community for $50 to raise funds for the club, then there’s a roller derby match set for March 2 at 7 p.m. at the club featuring the Rolleristas and a rummage sale at The Warehouse parking lot on Saturday, February 16 – all to benefit the club.

“The kids are excited that people are trying to help out,” Ramirez said. “I will be able to tell you how optimistic I am after the city makes their decision. I don’t give up very easy. Tell everybody in the community to pray for us … that always helps.”

Read this story in the Feb. 10 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2013/02/08/community-united-to-support-local-club/

1 comment

    • WeThePeople on February 10, 2013 at 11:08 am
    • Reply

    While the City might offer some technical support and advice, they should not ‘rescue’ the club. The families that use the club should be the ones that fund and fundraise, if they expect it to remain open. The B/G Club is not a public facility. It is a private nonprofit concern and should not be funded with public tax dollars.
    As well, the Chamber of Commerce is a private club for business people, and should not be funded with public tax dollars.
    The majority San Benito residents do not use either entity. Fix the streets!

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