Boys and Girls Club of Edson & District

The Edson Boys and Girls Club has undergone some re-structuring after holding internal elections at their meeting this week.

Edson town councillor Kevin Zahara has been named the new president, taking over from Michelle Barron who is now the Secretary.

Newcomer Julie Crick is a director alongside Dee Trozzo.

Tammy Strang is the Treasurer and Shari McDowell has been named Vice President.

Zahara says the club had a great year in 2008 and the club is excited about this year as physical upgrades and new partnerships are on tap.

The Club is also working with other community partners, such as the Town of Edson, the GYRD and local RCMP to make Edson a Bully-free community.

The Edson Boys and Girls club is now becoming a place where students can expand their education outside of school.

New President Kevin Zahara says the GYRD has partnered up with them and have set up a media room at the club.

Zahara says there is still some room for more kids in the after-school program but he also adds the club needs more volunteers.

Those interested in volunteering are asked to call the Edson Boys and Girls Club.

The Edson Boys and Girls club is making the after school walk to the club safer.

President Kevin Zahara says with the help of the GYRD, the club has instituted a safe-walk program.

Zahara says parents need to register their children with the club and the service is paid for by a donation from Telus and the Suncor foundation.

For more information you can contact the Boys and Girls club.

The CIBC is making a donation to the Edson and District boys and Girls club.

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Edson branch, a donation of 15-hundred dollars is being made to the club.

The money will go towards subsidizing memberships of local kids from families experiencing financial difficulties so that they can benefit from the after-school program.

Edson Boys and Girls club Program Director Trina Johann says they're thrilled to get the donation, adding, they've enrolled nearly 70 kids and see about 30 to 40 every day...which is twice as many as last year.

The CIBC opened its Edson Branch in April of 1919.

Edson community groups, schools, and businesses are coming together to let people know that bullying will not be tolerated.

The "no bullying community initiative" recently received a provincial grant worth nearly 54-thousand dollars to help them achieve that goal.

Ecole Pine Grove assistant principal Sandy Axeman says it's really exciting.

She says it's great to see the community coming together for this program and showing a united front.

Most area schools are involved, along with the RCMP, the Youth Inter-agency group, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Fox Radio.

The Edson Boys and Girls Club's summer program kicks off today (thurs), and this year the program has more to offer.

President Kevin Zahara says the club had up to 60 kids in last year's program, and the club is renting more space to accommodate even more kids this summer.

Zahara says the program runs until August 28th, and there is a fee involved to join the club, but subsidies are available for those having financial difficulties.

The Edson Boys and Girls Club is celebrating its 25-year anniversary.
On Saturday a party, open to the entire community, will be held at the club.

President Kevin Zahara says the club has had a long and important history in town.

Zahara says local support for the club has been great this past year.

He adds they will also unveil their new computer room at the celebration.

A celebration for a 25-year anniversary goes today in Edson.
A party will be held at the Boys and Girls Club starting at 11-this morning to celebrate the 25-year milestone.

Special guests include Mayor Greg Pasychny, GYRD Superintendent Dean Lindquist and various representatives from local industries.
The entire community is welcome to come out and enjoy the festivities, which include food and cake.

People are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs with them for the picnic in the park.

After the surprise closure of the Hinton Boys and Girls Club last week, the Edson club says they're in great shape and are in Edson to stay.

Edson Boys and Girls club president Kevin Zahara says he was shocked to hear Hinton's club closed due to financial restraints.

Zahara says the Edson club changed its management structure a number of years ago to avoid falling into financial difficulties like they had in the past.