Page 172 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2016

LIVING HISTORY making history
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Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast celebrate 50th anniversary
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast are marking a major milestone as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. It was affiliated with the national non-profit group in 1966 in East Biloxi as an outgrowth of the Boys Club State Senator Tommy Gollott started in 1963. The name was changed to recognize the inclusion of girls. The clubs have grown and now serve 1,200 young people daily with 40 programs in five locations.
A former boxer, Gollott wanted to teach boys how to box at his Happy Day Youth Club, an effort funded
by the Biloxi Jaycees. Numerous community fundraisers were held to support the new club. Its first home was in a building at the corner of East Howard Avenue and Pine Street, and the permanent location was built in 1967 on Crawford Street.
The clubs’ annual fundraiser Steak and Stake Dinner was held July 19 with a large crowd in attendance to celebrate the anniversary. “We had
boxer Evander Holyfield as the guest speaker to pay tribute to the clubs’ early days; a tribute to how we were founded,” said Keva Scott, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast.
Through 50 years the clubs have grown in the number of boys and girls served and the number of programs. There are five centers located in East Biloxi, Gulfport, D’Iberville, Pass Christian and Bay St. Louis. The programs include those focused on academic success, healthy living, good
172 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2016
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story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast