Community comes to the aid of Rensselaer Boys and Girls Club
RENSSELAER ? An entire community in Rensselaer came together to save their children. ?
It would be impossible to understate the importance of the Rensselaer Boys and Girls Club to that community.??
So, even though it may not be such a big surprise that so many people would rally behind that organization, the surprising thing is how quickly people pitched in to save the club from financial ruin.
There is no question about it, the Rensselaer Boys and Girls Club was dangerously behind the eight ball.
?We were about $75,000 in debt for 2011 and nothing to move forward with in 2012," said Rick Van Vorst.
On the verge of shutting down, the club put out an emergency plea for cash, needing $100,000 by the middle of January but even before December was over with, they got it.
?I wasn't surprised that the community came forward but what I was surprised with is how quickly and how quickly we raised $90,000. It was amazing to me,? said Van Vorst.
The Boys and Girls Club has about 750 registered members, although on a given day there might be about 120 kids stopping by after school for pool, ping pong, or play time.
?I'd like to say thank you for donating and helping to keep this place going because it gives an opportunity not just to me but to a lot of kids,? said Victoria Lee.
An opportunity to a lot of kids, is a godsend to a lot of parents.
The parents were very concerned over the situation here because in some cases the parents would lose their jobs by not having child care services after school,? said Van Vorst.
But the club isn't out of the woods just yet. State funding has essentially dried up and the budget for 2012 has all ready been cut by 20%.
We have to continue to depend on the community as well as some others to look for other sources of revenue. We have to find some new sources of revenue,? said Van Vorst.
Revenue sources that will keep the club open, and keep kids from settling for something less.
?I would probably be at my house just sitting and thinking I should be at the club because it's a really fun place,? said Kaitlynn Cook.
Donors have come forward with $76,000 in hand and $20,000 in pledges and they are confident it is just a matter of days before they reach their goal of $100,000, but they will need continued support into the new year.
Source: http://thegreenbushes.wnyt.com/news/news/103525-community-comes-aid-rensselaer-boys-and-girls-club
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