Kilgore Lions Club learns the history of the Boys and Girls Club
By LESTER MURRAY news2@kilgorenewsherald.com

Davie Stewie, director of the Kilgore Boys and Girls Club talks history with Kilgore Lions on Thursday.

The Kilgore Lions Club learned about the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

David Stewie, director of the Kilgore Boys and Girls Club spoke with Lions about the new club and the past history of the organization.

Stewie said the club originally started prior to the Civil War when people were concerned about kids running the streets getting into trouble.

When the clubs started, crime rates started to go down right away said Stewie.

The Boys and Girls Club is now 102 years old with over 4000 clubs world wide according to Stewie, serving over 4.8 million children.

The new club in Kilgore is located at 724 Harris St. and serves approximately 75 kids a day said Stewie, but the goal is to average 150 kids a day.

According to Stewie the club offers not just games, but help with studies, a new computer lab is in the works and there will be recreational activities outside also so the kids can get their exercise.

Stewie said the club helps kids build character and leadership skills. "We have three part time employees, one volunteer and myself, the full time employee," said Stewie.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to help at the club can fill out and application and a background check will be conducted for the safety of the children said Stewie. "We always need volunteers," said Stewie. "If you wish to help in other ways, donations of money, computers, games or anything that will benefit the kids is always welcome."

The club was created thanks to the generosity of the Paula Martin Jones Charities said Stewie.