Dozens of youngsters made their way into the Roy Drachman Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson after school Thursday, like they do just about every day.
Some laughed and talked while playing board games. Others were glued to screens in the computer room. And some played hoops in the gymnasium.
The clubhouse at 5901 S. Santa Clara Ave. sits at the west end of Mission Manor Park on the city's south side. It is a second home to 1,200 kids ages 7 to 17 throughout the year.
For working parents, the clubhouse and staff are lifesavers for their sons and daughters who stay busy there rather than hang out at home unsupervised or on the streets, said Javier Silva, 40, a physical-education director at the clubhouse.
For seven years, Silva was a volunteer and took his three children there to participate in sports.
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"I wanted a place for them to play, and be safe," said Silva, who then worked as a welder. "I could not be with them when I was at work, and I knew they were OK at the club."
"I like coming here," said Marek Pogorzelski, 10, who walks to the club from the nearby Mission Manor Elementary School, on the southeast end of the park. "I do my homework, play on the computers and play basketball until my nana picks me up."
So it is not surprising that the kids did lots of cheering Wednesday when they learned that Angel Charity for Children chose their clubhouse to receive $350,000 for renovations. The children's charity also will give $236,500 to the Tucson Children's Museum and $191,395 to Therapeutic Riding of Tucson.
"This money is a blessing," said Bill Dawson Jr., director of the Roy Drachman Clubhouse. "We will be celebrating for months."
Dawson said that on Wednesday the kids at the clubhouse mingled with Angel Charity board members, and ate hot dogs, sundaes and tres leches cake.
Dawson recalled the staff delivering services while in portable buildings at the park in 1992.
The gymnasium was built in 1994, and the remaining clubhouse was built and dedicated in October 1995. It has undergone plenty of wear and tear. The financial boost from Angel Charity will be used for electrical upgrades, roof and ceiling repairs, heating and cooling systems and renovation of the restrooms and locker rooms.
The gymnasium floor also has sections that are buckling and the basketball backboards need to be replaced. The clubhouse also needs upgrades to comply with the American with Disabilities Act.
"Angel Charity's gift means a lot to this community and the kids," said Dawson, adding that services will be provided in the park during the renovation. The upgrades should be completed by June.
Activities for youth will continue because it is known that 13 gangs operate in the area, said Dawson, and because of city budget cuts police are not providing a high-level of proactive community policing in the neighborhoods.
If you go
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson will hold a fundraiser, The Event, from 6 to 9 p.m. April 17. The food- and wine-tasting party is throughout La Encantada at 2905 E. Skyline Drive. Cost is $150 per person. For more information call 573-3533 or go to theeventtucson.com online.
The youth organization's budget is $2.8 million to operate six clubhouses that serve 7,000 youth, said Lorraine Morgan, vice president of communications and fund development.
Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at 573-4104 or cduarte@azstarnet.com
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