Club to bring back ’60s style Saturday

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Boys and Girls Club of West Georgia to bring back ’60s style Saturday

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

Attendees dress in 1950s era clothing for the 2015 Turn Back the Clock for Great Futures fundraising event. This year, the Boys and Girls Club of West Georgia will focus on the 1960s with decade-themed fashion, music and dance.

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/03/web1_Keenan-and-Beth-1.jpgAttendees dress in 1950s era clothing for the 2015 Turn Back the Clock for Great Futures fundraising event. This year, the Boys and Girls Club of West Georgia will focus on the 1960s with decade-themed fashion, music and dance.

Contributed | Boys and Girls Club of West Georgia

LaGRANGE — Some people will jump into a time machine this weekend and head back into the 1960s to raise money for local children’s programs.

The Boys and Girls Club of West Georgia will host its annual spring fundraising event Turn Back the Clock for Great Futures on Saturday, March 12.

This year’s bash will feature fashion, music and dance from the the 1960s.

Last year the event highlighted the 1950s and netted about $35,000, the most raised by the group’s spring gathering, said Bart McFadden, chief professional officer of the club.

This year McFadden hopes to raise about $40,000.

All the money supports the general operating costs for the Boys and Girls Club’s three sites in Valley, Alabama; Hogansville and LaGrange, he said.

The clubs served 1,017 kids in 2015, McFadden said, an average of 335 students on a daily basis.

“We’re seeing tremendous growth,” he told the Daily News on Feb. 24. “Our kids don’t bring the revenue into our clubs, we have to raise that. … Ninety four percent of our kids (receive) free or reduced lunch (at school), so we purposely keep our club fees reduced so kids can still keep coming through our doors. We have to raise that money that also pays the staff and for supplies, all the things that it takes to make the organization go every day.”

McFadden said the club’s costs also include providing educational programs for students of all ages, tutors, plus giving them a consistently safe place to go after school and on days when school is not in session. The staff also provides support for some children who do not have it at home, he added.

The Boys and Girls Club will flash back to the 1960s at Highland Country Club on Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.

There will be a silent and live auction, appetizers and drinks.

Tickets are $75 per person and $125 per couple.

Anyone wanting tickets or more information can call the Boys and Girls Club of West Georgia at 706-812-9698.

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter with LaGrange Daily News. She may be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.