Alumni Association sells bricks to fund programs

By Yadira Betances
ybetances@eagletribune.com

November 10, 2008 12:22 am

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How to buy a brick

Download an order form by logging on to www.lawrencebgc.com.

E-mail Stephanie Bryant at sbryant@lawrencebgc.com or call her at 978-683-2747, ext. 123.

Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, 136 Water St., Lawrence.

Cost is $100 for a 4-by-8 brick or $200 for a 8-by-8 brick.

Deadline is Nov. 28.

LAWRENCE — "The Best Kids in the World," "For our Raiders & Raiders-to-be," "In Memory of Peter A. Lewis: Farmer, Builder, Visionary By Nature" and "Learn To Listen, Listen to Learn." Those are a few of the inspiring and personal messages former members of the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club, local businesspeople and residents have inscribed on bricks to raise money for the club.

"It's a wonderful community effort to be part of the club's history and help our kids," said Stephanie Bryant, co-chairman of the brick project with her husband, Dan, president of the club's Alumni Association.

The bricks will be placed on the inlet in front of the building at 136 Water St. The club opened a new 58,000 square foot facility in October 2007. It was named "Kelley's Club" in honor of Steve Kelley, who has worked at the club for more than 43 years. He is now associate director. A patio will be built around the walkway, with two memorial benches beside it.

The cost is $100 for a 4-by-8 size brick, on which two lines can be inscribed and $200 for a 8-by-8 brick with five lines.

So far, members of the Alumni Association have sold 50 bricks. Their goal is to sell 150 more in order to raise $7,000 to help the club.

"We're trying to raise funds for a number of areas," Stephanie Bryant said.

Money raised from the brick sale will go toward scholarships, the club's endowment fund and the financial gift the Alumni Association awards each year for a specific program.

Proceeds will also help supplement the club's $2.7 million operating budget.

The club offers tutoring, homework assistance, sports, arts and crafts, dancing and computers to 4,000 inner-city kids.

"God bless the Alumni Association," said Kathy Reynolds Boshar, development director at the club. "This is their way of saying we care."